Christmas came early for streaming audiences this year, but for the film industry, it’s been another tale of ups and downs. The holiday-themed film Red One, featuring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, has sparked conversations due to its contrasting box office results and overwhelming popularity on Amazon Prime Video. While it initially struggled to capture audience attention with its theatrical release, it quickly climbed the streaming charts, becoming the platform's number one film shortly after debuting online.
Red One premiered in theaters on November 6 internationally and later, on November 15, for U.S. audiences. Despite featuring star power like Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, and J.K. Simmons, the film's box office performance left much to be desired. According to BoxOfficeReport.com, it grossed only $32 million during its opening weekend, and by its release to streaming, it managed to reach just $166 million worldwide against its hefty estimated budget of $200 million to $250 million.
The dire financial situation for Red One is part of a troubling trend for its lead actor, Dwayne Johnson, who has seen several of his recent films flounder at the box office. Johnson's other recent projects, such as Black Adam and Fast X, have also underperformed relative to their budgets. For example, Black Adam, which aimed to invigorate the DC Universe, finished its run with $390 million globally, falling short of expectations when considered against its $200 million budget plus marketing costs. With each of these releases, questions have arisen about Johnson's bankability and whether studios should continue investing heavily in his projects.
When it was first announced, there were high hopes for Red One as the feel-good holiday movie of the season, with analysts expecting it to resonate with families during the festive period. Yet, it has faced criticism, evidenced by its low 30% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics lamented its runtime and lackluster pacing, claiming it struggled to keep audiences engaged. A review mentioned, "Even for adults with (slightly) longer attention spans, Red One is unnecessarily bloated, overstuffed with pointless, often sluggish action sequences..."
Critics were not alone; many families echoed their skepticism. Kids who attended screenings voiced their discontent, stating, "That was too long," reinforcing the idea of trimming unnecessary scenes to facilitate engagement with younger viewers. The movie, which boasts seasonal themes and lighthearted adventure, features Johnson as Callum Drift, Santa’s bodyguard, and Evans as Jack O’Malley, a hacker enlisted to rescue Santa from kidnappers.
Despite the negative reviews and disappointing box office figures, the film turned around its fortunes once it streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Within days of its release on December 13, Red One had topped charts not only on Prime but also across different platforms, showcasing its appeal as audiences sought uplifting holiday entertainment. FlixPatrol revealed its success, noting it became the number one film on Prime Video, surpassing previous favorites.
This surprising transition from box office disappointment to streaming hit suggests the current media consumption habits among audiences. With many viewers leaning toward at-home viewing options, studios find themselves adjusting release strategies. Red One exemplifies this shift, as it was initially slated for direct streaming release before switching to theaters. The gamble paid off, providing the film with additional visibility and ensuring it reached audiences directly during the holiday season.
Following rampant promotion, it managed to capture minds during the busy holiday period, making it the perfect family movie to enjoy together at home. The juxtaposition between the box office failures and streaming success raises the question of how and when films should be released to maximize engagement and profitability.
Not only did Red One provide audiences with festive entertainment, but it ignited discussions about notable shifts in viewing patterns and consumer preferences. Audiences appeared to connect with the film's theme of saving Christmas, leaning away from the cynicism prevalent among critics. With audiences giving it a much more favorable 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film became emblematic of how the audience's voice can diverge drastically from critics' conclusions.
Two factors potentially contributed to the film's ability to resonate well with families once streamed: its holiday theme, which is appealing particularly during the Christmas season, and the comedic chemistry shared between Johnson and Evans, which offered humor and charm throughout the film. This dual excitement surrounding the film demonstrated how audiences can find joy even amid overwhelming critiques.
It’s remarkable to witness how Red One, which stumbled during its theatrical run, found its footing through the accessibility provided by streaming platforms. And as Hollywood re-evaluates its release strategies, Red One serves as both a lesson and as entertainment. Will studios recognize the importance of tailoring content releases, targeting viewers directly where they prefer consuming their media? The success of Red One may very well indicate the future of how holiday films, and many others, are experienced.
For now, families can enjoy this movie, whether they choose to watch it on the big screen or cozy up at home with Prime Video. It's this duality of experience, making the most of both theatrical releases and streaming options, which may define future successes leading the way for the next wave of holiday films.