Keke Palmer’s latest comedy, One of Them Days, has made a notable mark by breaking a Rotten Tomatoes record. Produced by Issa Rae of Insecure fame, this film is directed by Lawrence Lamont, who previously worked with Rae on Max’s Rap Sh!t. The story, penned by Syreeta Singleton—who also served as the showrunner for Rap Sh!t—features Palmer alongside singer-songwriter SZA, portraying the best friends Dreux and Alyssa. The film’s ensemble cast includes Vanessa Bell Calloway, Maude Apatow, Katt Williams, Dewayne Perkins, Lil Rel Howery, and Janelle James.
This latest release contributes to Keke Palmer’s impressive career trajectory, which began in the mid-2000s. She gained fame for her role in the 2006 film Akeelah and the Bee, where she shared the screen with Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett. Palmer successfully transitioned from a promising child actor into a versatile adult performer, taking on roles in major projects such as Disney’s Jump In! and Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP. Her diverse portfolio also includes appearances in Scream: The TV Series, Lightyear, Scream Queens, and Netflix’s Human Resources.
One Of Them Days Is Keke Palmer’s Highest Rated Film on Rotten Tomatoes
Breaking an 11-Year-Old Record
As of now, One of Them Days boasts an impressive 97% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, derived from 52 reviews. Among the 19 reviews submitted by Top Critics, the film enjoys a perfect 100%. Additionally, the film has captured a strong audience response with a 95% on the Popcornmeter, making this 2025 comedy officially Keke Palmer’s highest-rated movie to date.
Critics have scored the film with an average rating of 7.0 out of 10.
Prior to this, Palmer’s highest-rated films were tied at 92%, lower than her current record. These titles include the 2014 Netflix drama Imperial Dreams, featuring John Boyega and Rotimi Akinosho, as well as the 2016 musical event Grease: Live!, where she portrayed Martina “Marty”Maraschino alongside Aaron Tveit and Julianne Hough.
Palmer’s Success Surpasses Previous Hits Like Nope & Hustlers
Well-Received Films in Palmer’s Career
The acclaim for One of Them Days is striking, particularly as Keke Palmer previously starred in critically acclaimed projects such as Jordan Peele’s Nope and Lorene Scafaria’s Hustlers. Notably, Nope earned Palmer a New York Film Critics Circle Award, while Hustlers garnered Jennifer Lopez a Golden Globe nomination. Despite their favorable reviews, these films received Rotten Tomatoes scores of 83% and 88%, respectively.
The Unique Standing of One Of Them Days
A Standout Comedy Performance
Keke Palmer’s portfolio includes 20 films, with only 10 classified as “Fresh”on Rotten Tomatoes, meaning approximately 50% of her works have received favorable critiques. Among these films, One of Them Days is the first to primarily fall within the comedy genre. While she also showcased her comedic talent in films like Nope and Lightyear, this marks a new high point in her venture into comedy.
Financially, One of Them Days is projected to earn around $15 million during its opening weekend, covering its modest $14 million budget. In historical context, this marks a significant achievement for Palmer, especially when compared to her earlier successful films. For example, Akeelah and the Bee grossed about $19 million and earned five NAACP Image Awards, winning two, including one for Palmer.
Even though the film achieved critical and commercial success, it should be noted that One of Them Days’ anticipated box office gross is likely to fall short of the $100 million mark—something only seen by her widely successful titles. This is particularly relevant considering the budgetary context: while other films like Lightyear were hampered by a hefty $200 million budget and only managed $226.4 million at the box office, One of Them Days appears to be on a more manageable trajectory.
|
Title |
RT Score |
Budget |
Box Office |
|---|---|---|---|
|
One of Them Days (2025) |
97% |
$14 million |
$14 million+ |
|
Imperial Dreams (2014) |
92% |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Grease: Live! (2016) |
92% |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Hustlers (2019) |
88% |
$20.7 million |
$157.6 million |
|
Akeelah and the Bee (2006) |
86% |
~$8 million |
$19 million |
|
Nope (2022) |
83% |
$68 million |
$171.1 million |
|
This Is Me… Now: A Love Story (2024) |
75% |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Lightyear (2022) |
74% |
$200 million |
$226.4 million |
|
Jump In! (2007) |
63% |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Brotherly Love (2015) |
60% |
N/A |
N/A |
The reception of her top-rated films hints at future challenges. However, there are several comedies in development that may solidify her status in this genre.
Upcoming Projects for Keke Palmer
A Diverse Array of Projects on the Horizon
Looking ahead, Keke Palmer has a rich slate of projects scheduled after One of Them Days, spanning various genres and formats. The next to hit screens will be the body-swap comedy Good Fortune, which marks the directorial debut of Aziz Ansari, set for release on October 27. Initially, she was to appear in Ansari’s Being Mortal, but production was halted in 2022 due to controversies surrounding co-star Bill Murray. However, this project may still come to fruition in a revised format after the release of Good Fortune.
Good Fortune features an ensemble cast that includes Ansari, Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, and Sandra Oh.
In 2024, Palmer also has several other projects lined up, such as a Peacock series remake of the dark comedy The ‘Burbs, the Boots Riley crime film I Love Boosters alongside Demi Moore, Naomi Ackie, and LaKeith Stanfield, and the CIA action thriller Gods Unknown. The status of these films will determine whether they conflict with additional projects announced in 2023, including David O. Russell’s drama Super Toys and the Kevin Hart romantic comedy The Backup.
Palmer is also rumored to be part of Whoopi Goldberg’s ideal cast for the anticipated sequel Sister Act 3, which has been slow to develop. Goldberg has expressed a desire to feature Palmer, along with Nicki Minaj and Lizzo, although formal contracts have yet to be signed. With such a diverse slate of future projects, there is potential for many to rival One of Them Days in terms of success, although achieving another 97% rating may prove to be a challenge.
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