What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Among four major theatrical adaptations ranked by Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet (1948) narrowly leads at 96%, with Kenneth Branagh’s 1996 version close behind at 95%. Those scores reflect different sets of critic reviews, not a definitive measure of artistic merit. The ranking below follows Rotten Tomatoes’ percentages checked on October 8, 2026, and compares each film’s approach and runtime.
Hamlet movies ranked by Rotten Tomatoes critics
The Tomatometer percentages below are Rotten Tomatoes snapshots checked on October 8, 2026. Each percentage is based on a different number of critic reviews, so the figures should not be treated as results from identical samples.
| Rank | Film and director | Tomatometer | Runtime | Adaptation approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamlet (1948), Laurence Olivier | 96% (48 critic reviews) | 2h 33m | Olivier stars in a classic black-and-white adaptation. |
| 2 | Hamlet (1996), Kenneth Branagh | 95% (57 critic reviews) | 4h 2m | A 19th-century setting and an unabridged text, as described by Rotten Tomatoes. |
| 3 | Hamlet (1990; Rotten Tomatoes labels the film 1991), Franco Zeffirelli | 76% (38 critic reviews) | 2h 15m | An ensemble adaptation led by Mel Gibson as Hamlet. |
| 4 | Hamlet (2000), Michael Almereyda | 59% (95 critic reviews) | 1h 51m | A modern retelling set in New York, with Denmark Corp. and Ethan Hawke as Hamlet. |
What distinguishes each adaptation
1. Olivier’s Hamlet (1948)
Olivier’s film leads this four-film comparison by one percentage point over Branagh’s. Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus calls it “A well-executed labor of love” and says it helped demonstrate that Shakespeare could be adapted successfully for the screen. The high score does not mean critics agreed about every choice: Pauline Kael wrote, “Whatever the omissions, the mutilations, the mistakes, this is very likely the most exciting and most alive production of Hamlet you will ever see on the screen.” Rotten Tomatoes’ 1948 film page records the score, review count, runtime, consensus and excerpt.
2. Branagh’s Hamlet (1996)
At 4 hours 2 minutes, this is the longest of the four. Rotten Tomatoes describes it as the only unabridged film version and notes its 19th-century setting. Its consensus praises the film’s performances and cinematic focus, describing the adaptation as “sprawling.” It sits just behind Olivier’s film in this ranking, though their Tomatometer scores are nearly tied. Rotten Tomatoes’ 1996 film page lists the score, review count, runtime and consensus.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
3. Zeffirelli’s Hamlet (1990/1991)
Mel Gibson plays Hamlet in Zeffirelli’s 2-hour-15-minute adaptation. Rotten Tomatoes’ page uses 1991 in its listing, while the film is commonly identified as the 1990 production. Its consensus says the film may lack some of the play’s depth and complexity, but calls Gibson and Zeffirelli “a surprisingly successful team.” The cross-aggregator comparison is notably different: Metacritic gives the film a 53 Metascore from 18 critic reviews, with positive, mixed and negative notices. Roger Ebert praised Gibson’s “strong, intelligent performance,” calling it “filled with life.” The Tomatometer and Rotten Tomatoes excerpt are on Rotten Tomatoes’ film page; the Metascore and critic-review material appear on Metacritic’s 1991 critic-reviews page.
4. Almereyda’s Hamlet (2000)
Almereyda relocates the story to contemporary New York, recasting the Danish court as Denmark Corp. and Ethan Hawke as Hamlet. Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus criticizes the performances as stiff and says they fail to create tension. But that summary does not capture every favorable response: Film Comment’s Gavin Smith called the adaptation “Ingeniously and divertingly updating Shakespeare to corporate New York,” and Susan Sontag described it as “Witty, intelligent, and most convincing when it’s altogether over the top.” On Metacritic, the film has a 70 Metascore from 32 critic reviews—higher than Zeffirelli’s 53, despite its lower Tomatometer score. See Rotten Tomatoes’ 2000 film page and Metacritic’s 2000 critic-reviews page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How to interpret the ranking
- The two leaders are effectively close in this snapshot. Olivier’s 96% and Branagh’s 95% are separated by one percentage point, with 48 and 57 critic reviews respectively.
- The samples are not equal. Review counts range from 38 for Zeffirelli’s film to 95 for Almereyda’s, so a percentage alone does not show how many reviews inform the score.
- Aggregators can produce a different comparison. The Metacritic figures reverse the relative positions of Zeffirelli’s and Almereyda’s films. Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer and Metacritic’s Metascore use different critic-review sets and scoring methods; neither figure is a universal verdict.
- This is a selected comparison, not every screen Hamlet. Other screen adaptations include the 1964 Kozintsev and 1969 Richardson films, as well as a 2025 modernisation. The overview of Hamlet on screen provides broader historical context.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
