Amazon MGM Studios’ big-budget holiday blockbuster Red One stumbled out of the gate with a lackluster $34.1 million opening weekend in North America, despite its massive $200-250 million production budget and star-studded cast featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Chris Evans. For most traditional studios, such a performance would scream “flop.” However, Amazon’s long-term streaming strategy complicates the verdict.
Red One debuted on over 4,000 screens, including IMAX, making it the first major studio holiday release in years. The film, directed by Jake Kasdan and produced by Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions, positions Johnson as Santa Claus’s bodyguard in a holiday-themed action comedy.
Initially greenlit as a streaming-only project before Amazon’s acquisition of MGM, its theatrical release appears to be more of an experimental gesture than a profit-driven move.
Critics were harsh, awarding the film a lowly 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, with some describing it as “an unwanted high-priced Christmas present.” Audiences, however, were more forgiving, giving the movie an A- CinemaScore, signaling some potential as a future holiday staple.
Internationally, Warner Bros. handled the release, where it grossed $50 million over two weekends, bolstering its worldwide total but still falling short of expectations.
Amazon executives argue that the film’s value lies beyond its box office numbers. With over 250 million Prime Video subscribers worldwide, Red One is positioned to become a long-term streaming asset.
Kevin Wilson, Amazon MGM Studios’ head of distribution, noted that theatrical earnings were never the primary focus. Instead, the release served as a gesture toward theaters, providing them with a high-profile film in a quiet post-Labor Day market.
Despite Amazon’s optimism, Red One faces stiff competition in the coming weeks. Thanksgiving will usher in blockbuster heavyweights like Wicked, Gladiator II, and Disney’s Moana 2—the latter also starring Johnson. Early numbers from Gladiator II’s international release show a strong $87 million debut, setting the stage for a competitive holiday box office period.
While Red One may hold its ground over Thanksgiving as counter-programming to other films, its underwhelming debut suggests that star power and high budgets alone can’t guarantee success in today’s market. Whether it becomes a perennial holiday favorite or fades into obscurity depends largely on its performance on streaming platforms and its reception in the coming weeks.
