'Red One,' the much-anticipated Christmas action film, premiered on Prime Video over a week ago and continues to thrive at the box office, making waves as the biggest holiday release of the year. Even though it's available for home viewing, the film managed to pull in another $1 million at the domestic box office the weekend of December 20, bringing its total domestic earnings to $95 million. With addition from international markets, its worldwide gross has climbed to $181 million, though this impressive figure stands against its reported production budget of $250 million, as noted by The Wrap.
Starring Dwayne Johnson as Santa Claus, J.K. Simmons, Chris Evans, and Lucy Liu, the film combines action, fantasy, and holiday spirit, creating quite the buzz. 'Red One' premiered to $32 million during its debut weekend, falling to $13 million the following weekend after experiencing the usual box office drop. Surprisingly, it recovered somewhat, seeing only a 4% decline to $12 million during its third weekend - which is remarkable considering the current climate for movies, where audience interest can wane quickly.
Meanwhile, 'Red One' has been dominating streaming charts since its release on Prime Video. It secured the top spot on the platform, outpacing newcomers like the reality competition series 'Beast Games' from Mr. Beast. This success is indicative not only of the film's appeal but also of the intense competition from other streaming releases. Other entries high on the chart include classic holiday films such as 'The Holiday' and 'White Christmas.'
While 'Red One' shows strong box office prospects, it’s not without its criticisms. Directed by Jake Kasdan and penned by Chris Morgan, the film’s story revolves around the kidnapping of Santa Claus and the subsequent rescue mission led by Callum Drift (played by Johnson) and hacker Jack O'Malley (Evans). Though the film immerses viewers in fantastical action, many reviews have pointed out it lacks one fundamental element characteristic of successful Christmas movies: impactful child characters.
The absence of children as main characters has been flagged as detrimental. Though there is Jack's son, Dylan, he isn't prominently featured and his role seems more peripheral than pivotal. Child characters are integral to many beloved Christmas films for creating warmth, humor, and magic, yet 'Red One' instead focuses primarily on adult themes and character development.
This decision has drawn criticism as audiences feel these emotional stakes could have heightened the stakes within the overarching holiday narrative. The film's reliance on adult leads who grapple with personal issues may have limited its appeal, as the story could resonate more deeply with younger viewers experiencing the holiday season's whimsical spirit.
Some have argued, as noted by various critiques, 'Red One' is intended more for adult audiences who can appreciate the film's comedic and emotional undertones. Adventures of rescuing Santa intersecting with father-son relationships aim to showcase the character growth of Jack O'Malley. Still, the glaring absence of children from the central plot leaves viewers wanting for the magic of childhood charm.
Beneath the surface, 'Red One' marks significant progress for Amazon Studios, making it the highest-grossing Amazon MGM film, surpassing the action thriller 'The Beekeeper.' This shift highlights Amazon's growing influence in film production and distribution, particularly as it navigates remarkable success against streaming giants.
ACross industry channels, 'Red One' is raising conversations about the evolution of holiday films. While its blend of action and festive cheer signifies fresh take, traditionalists may find its adult-centric storytelling lacks the heartwarming charms associated with the classic holiday favorites.
Just before the festive season, LG Electronics also partnered with Prime Video to facilitate the film’s release directly on LG Smart TVs across over 200 countries. This collaboration not only showcases 'Red One' but also positions LG's superior home viewing experience with advanced technologies like Dolby Vision and Atmos. LG's support extended to sponsoring the US premiere at New York's Lincoln Center, illustrating the importance of premium cinematic experiences.
According to Chris Jo, LG's senior vice president, 'At LG, we believe innovation enriches everyday life...our goal is to help our customers create lasting memories with loved ones.' The collaboration allows viewers to experience 'Red One' as its creators intended, capitalizing on LG's technology.
Looking forward, the film's box office success, streaming dominance, and LG partnership signify promising developments, even as it grapples with critiques. Whether it's the holiday action film audiences wanted remains open to interpretation, but one thing is certain: 'Red One' has made its mark this Christmas season. Available for viewing on Prime Video, audiences are encouraged to spend their holiday watching this festive flick!
