Dwayne Johnson steps up as Santa’s security in ‘Red One’

An ambitious holiday blockbuster

As the festive season approaches, “Red One” enters the cinematic fray, aiming to deliver an explosive box office performance. Featuring Dwayne Johnson in a novel role as Santa’s head of security, this Christmas action-comedy by Amazon MGM is set to shake up holiday traditions. The movie, slated for release in 4,032 locations, is projecting an opening weekend revenue between $30 million and $35 million. However, varying forecasts suggest a possible range as low as $25 million to as high as $40 million.

Anticipation vs. reality

Although “Red One” seeks impressive opening ticket sales, the stakes are high given its staggering $250 million production budget—exclusive of global marketing costs. For a modest return, the film would need strong positive word-of-mouth to pave the way for sustained success in theaters. Amazon MGM, however, is playing a broader game. The studio views these theatrical releases as strategic moves to attract top-tier talent and generate buzz for its Prime Video platform. With the diverse reporting standards for streaming viewership data, it’s difficult to determine the exact financial success, but the theatrical release itself serves as a booster for streaming visibility.

International reception

“Red One” has already begun its international run, albeit with underwhelming results. The film grossed $26.6 million from 25,195 screens across 75 overseas markets under a distribution deal with Warner Bros. With this tepid start, the film’s performance in domestic markets will be crucial.

A star-studded rescue mission

Directed by Jake Kasdan, known for the hit “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Red One” weaves a whimsical narrative where Santa Claus (played by J.K. Simmons) is kidnapped. This disappearance triggers an adventure led by a gruff bodyguard from the North Pole (Dwayne Johnson) and a bounty hunter portrayed by Chris Evans. Despite its star-studded cast, the film has not fared well with critics, holding a meager 30% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have noted the film’s lack of traditional Christmas charm, potentially impacting audience reception.

Box office showdown

Even as the sole new release of the weekend, “Red One” is set to surpass “Venom: The Last Dance,” which has topped the charts for three consecutive weeks with $15.9 million over the last weekend. With a domestic gross of $114 million and a worldwide total of $393 million, “Venom” presents a formidable benchmark. Alongside it, holdover titles like “Conclave,” “The Wild Robot,” “Heretic,” and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” continue drawing audiences.

A challenging season for theaters

The broader cinema landscape reveals a sluggish trend with overall box office returns down 11% from 2023 and nearly 27% from 2019, according to industry data. Despite a tepid October and a slow start to November, theaters are hopeful for a rebound around Thanksgiving with the release of big-name titles like “Wicked,” “Gladiator II,” and “Moana 2.”

Final thoughts

“Red One” faces an uphill battle, not just in recouping its significant budget, but also in captivating audiences who might be skeptical of its unique holiday twist. The film’s success will largely depend on how well it resonates during its initial release and its subsequent performance on streaming platforms.

Discover more about the anticipated films this holiday season and stay updated on the latest in cinema by following us on social media. Whether you plan to watch “Red One” or are waiting for other blockbusters, there’s plenty to look forward to in the world of movies.