The Bear’s Finale Earns 97% Fresh Rotten Tomatoes Rating as Critics Celebrate Its Strong Final Season

“The Bear” Season 5 title treatment.

FX/HULU

The Bear stars Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss‑Bachrach, returning for a fifth and final season on Thursday night. The majority of Rotten Tomatoes critics are pleased with what they have seen.

Created by Christopher Storer, The Bear debuted on FX and Hulu in June 2022. Seasons 2, 3, and 4 followed in 2023, 2024, and 2025 respectively, and the series quickly became a Primetime Emmy Awards powerhouse, earning 49 nominations through season 1‑4 and winning Best Comedy Series for its debut season.

Jeremy Allen White received consecutive Emmy wins for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for seasons 1 and 2. Ebon Moss‑Bachrach captured Best Supporting Actor honors for seasons 1 and 2, while Ayo Edebiri earned a Best Supporting Actress award for season 2.

The entire eight‑episode season will be available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The first two episodes air on FX at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with the remaining six episodes rolling out each Thursday.

In the final season, head chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) steps away from the restaurant industry, leaving its operation to Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri), Richard “Richie” Jerimovich (Ebon Moss‑Bachrach), and Natalie “Sugar” Berzatto (Abby Elliott). The trio must unite to confront new challenges as they chase the dream of securing a Michelin star.

Additional cast members include Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón‑Zayas, and Matty Matheson, while Ricky Staffieri, Oliver Platt, Will Poulter, and Jamie Lee Curtis appear in recurring capacities.

The review embargo was lifted on Thursday, and the final season has earned a 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, based on 34 critic reviews. The series’ Critics Consensus states that the show “closes out its final season with the character‑driven finesse it started with, serving its story and fans the finest televisual meal without diminished returns.” Audiences have yet to submit ratings, so the Popcornmeter score remains pending.

What Are Individual Critics Saying About ‘The Bear’ Season 5?

Ben Travers of IndieWire wrote, “The Bear did the work to stay in our lives consistently for five years, and it pays off in the final season.”

Alison Herman of Variety observed, “The Bear can’t fully shake off two full seasons of subpar storytelling, but at least it can improve while it’s still around.”

Judy Berman of TIME noted, “Through Syd’s rise, The Bear suggests that greatness is more realistically achieved through cooperation and mutual respect, rewarding the team’s hard work and urging civility.”

Chase Hutchinson of The Seattle Times praised the finale, writing, “Now, in its final season, one of the most confined, chaotic and oddly compelling yet, The Bear goes back to basics while it grapples with how time marches on.”

Rebecca Nicholson of the Financial Times offered a mixed view, stating, “The Bear’s unevenness is maddening, because when it hits its stride, it has warmth, empathy and wit to spare.”

Bellen Edwards of Mashable gave the season a negative review, calling it “a lackluster serving of confusing choices and wasted potential.”

The complete eight‑episode run streams on Hulu and Disney+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, with the first two episodes premiering on FX at 9 p.m. ET/PT, followed by weekly releases of the remaining episodes.

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