Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Red One, a Christmas-themed action-comedy, made its big theatrical debut this weekend with a whopping $250 million production budget. But while the film topped the box office with a $34.1 million opening, it’s clear that its performance isn’t quite what the studio was hoping for. The holiday action flick, which stars Johnson as Santa’s head of security, failed to light up the box office as expected, leading to questions about what really defines success in today’s movie industry.
A Chilly Reception: $34 Million Opening
While Red One might have finished at #1, its $34 million debut, spread across 4,032 theaters, is underwhelming, especially given the massive budget. The film earned more than expected on Saturday—$13.2 million—but it still falls short of matching the large production costs when factoring in global marketing, which could be around $100 million.
For comparison, Johnson’s past movies like Skyscraper (2018) and Central Intelligence (2016) opened to similar numbers—around $35 million each—despite having much smaller budgets. So, while Red One managed to take the top spot, the numbers are far from a blockbuster hit, especially considering its star power and Christmas theme.
Critical Flop, Audience Hit
Critics weren’t impressed with Red One, giving it a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many pointing to the predictable plot and uninspired jokes. However, audience reactions have been more positive, with the film earning an “A-” grade on CinemaScore and an 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This suggests that, while critics may have dismissed it, moviegoers found it fun and entertaining enough to recommend.
This mix of critical scorn and audience approval is a familiar pattern for films nowadays. What’s interesting here is how the film’s performance may be viewed by Amazon MGM, the studio behind Red One. In the age of streaming, box office numbers are just one part of the picture, with streaming platforms like Prime Video increasingly determining a film’s true value.
Amazon’s Streaming Gamble: It’s Not Just About Box Office
Amazon MGM’s strategy for Red One reflects the shifting landscape of the film industry. Originally intended as a streaming-only release, the decision was made to give the film a theatrical window first, hoping to build excitement and boost its eventual streaming profile. According to Kevin Wilson, head of theatrical distribution at Amazon MGM, the company doesn’t measure success the same way traditional studios do. Instead, the theatrical run is seen as a way to generate buzz for the film’s eventual release on Prime Video.
Wilson explains, “We’re getting a massive marketing campaign that’s being paid for before the film even reaches streaming.” In other words, Amazon MGM is okay with Red One not being a box office juggernaut, as long as it helps boost Prime Video subscriptions and attract viewers once it hits the platform. So, even if Red One doesn’t make back its hefty production cost in theaters, it could still be considered a win from a long-term perspective.
#RedOne 🎅 by @AmazonMGMStudio , starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Chris Evans, opened Domestic with ~$34m Box Office! It is now ~$84m worldwide
Will RED ONE beat IF to become the highest grossing original/non-ip movie of the year?
Red One is eyeing a finale ~$200m 🟰… pic.twitter.com/QGSFcZI10n
— Box Office Forecast 🎬 (@BoxOfficeFcst) November 17, 2024International and Domestic Numbers
While Red One’s domestic numbers are disappointing, it performed slightly better overseas, grossing $14.7 million from 75 international markets. This brings its global tally to $84.1 million, but even with this additional revenue, it still has a long way to go to break even, especially with marketing costs factored in.
Looking ahead, the film faces fierce competition during the holiday season. Major upcoming releases like Wicked, Gladiator II, and Moana 2 could quickly steal attention away from Red One, making its future box office prospects even more uncertain.
The Bigger Picture: How Success is Changing
The box office isn’t the sole measure of success anymore, especially with the rise of streaming platforms. Studios like Amazon MGM view their films as part of a larger marketing strategy, where the goal is not just to sell tickets but to generate buzz and build an audience that will eventually watch the film at home.
This changing approach makes it harder to judge whether a movie is truly a “flop” or a “success.” While Red One may not have earned the big box office numbers some expected, it could still achieve its goals by attracting viewers to Prime Video, where the true return on investment will be measured.
What’s Next for Red One?
As the holiday season picks up and more big films hit theaters, it’s unclear whether Red One will be able to maintain its momentum. While audiences who saw the film seemed to enjoy it, the competition ahead is stiff. The film’s future success may rely less on how it performs in theaters and more on how well it does once it becomes available for streaming.
Amazon MGM’s approach to Red One highlights a new reality for movie studios: box office numbers are just one piece of the puzzle. For streaming giants, the bigger picture is about creating content that drives long-term engagement, and for Amazon, that might be the true measure of success.
Ultimately, Red One’s journey may not be defined by its box office opening but by how well it connects with viewers once it’s available for streaming. Whether or not it spawns a sequel may depend on how it performs in this new, more nuanced world of movie-making.
Read More : Tony Todd, Horror Legend and Candyman Star, Dies at 69
