Pluribus Breaks Records on AppleTV: Vince Gilligan’s New Sci-Fi Hit Scores 99% on Rotten Tomatoes

Vince Gilligan’s sci-fi drama Pluribus has become AppleTV’s most successful new drama debut as of November 23, 2025. The series launched with major momentum, even though viewer reactions to its pacing remain divided.

Critics Score the Series Extremely High

Pluribus holds a 99% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviews highlight its writing, direction, and Rhea Seehorn’s lead performance, with several outlets calling it one of the smartest shows of 2025. The critical message is clear: the series is working on a creative level.

Audience reactions tell a different story. The viewer score sits around 78%, and many comments point to the show’s slow-burn structure. Some viewers are fully invested; others describe certain episodes as dull compared to Gilligan’s past work. The pacing is the main split, and it shows up consistently across fan discussions.

Record-Breaking Performance on Streaming

AppleTV confirmed Pluribus had the biggest global drama launch in the service’s history, surpassing Severance Season 2. The series reached #1 on streaming charts in more than 20 countries shortly after its November 7 premiere. It briefly dipped to #2 before returning to the top spot.

In the U.S., Luminate reported 6.4 million hours watched for the first two episodes during the first week. That number is strong, especially considering the series premiered with fewer episodes than other chart-topping titles.

AppleTV’s Early Confidence

The platform approved a two-season order before the show aired. That early commitment signals AppleTV’s confidence in Gilligan, Seehorn, and the concept, and the launch numbers support the decision.

Why Pluribus Took Off

The show benefited from several key factors: the Gilligan–Seehorn reunion, a high-concept sci-fi premise centered on a woman immune to a forced-happiness virus, strong critic reactions, and a controlled marketing campaign that kept plot details under wraps. Those elements created curiosity and drove early viewership.

Overall Picture

Pluribus is a commercial and critical success with a clear divide between critics and general audiences. The launch made it a top title for AppleTV, and the two-season commitment gives it a long runway. The pacing debate may continue, but the series’ performance places it among the most significant sci-fi releases of 2025.