Dwayne Johnson’s Red One faces box office challenges and receives both positive and negative news.
Red One has two more accomplishments to place in its stockings this holiday season. But it becomes even less probable that the Dwayne Johnson-starring Christmas movie will recoup its substantial expenditure.
Red One earned $12.8 million in North American theaters over Thanksgiving weekend, raising its domestic total to $76 million, according to Collider. With that total added to the $72 million Red One has made in foreign markets, the action comedy has now made $148 million worldwide, approaching the $150 million milestone. In addition to that accomplishment, Red One is currently among the top 25 highest-grossing films of 2024. surpassing Johnson’s Hobbs & Shaw co-star Jason Statham’s The Beekeeper to make the list. These accomplishments complement a recent career box office milestone that the movie helped Johnson surpass.
However, Johnson’s alleged tardiness problems and refusal to put in long hours during the film’s production have made it more difficult for Red One to recoup its staggering $250 million budget. Some recently released blockbusters, such as Gladiator II, Wicked: Part I, and Moana 2, which also stars Johnson, are fierce rivals to Red One. The three films Red One is competing with made nine-figure debuts, while Johnson accomplished the unusual distinction of having two top-five box office smashes during the holiday stretch this past Thanksgiving weekend.
Streaming was the original plan for Red One.
Originally, Red One was supposed to be launched as a Prime Video exclusive just in time for the final holiday season. However, Amazon MGM Studios had to postpone the film’s premiere by almost a year due to the SAG-AFTRA strike and the need for a theatrical release. Even though Red One has a difficult time turning a profit, Johnson still receives a sizable payout for his involvement on the movie, earning $50 million.
Red One, which is produced by Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions, follows a rescue attempt to save Christmas and rescue a kidnapped Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons). In order to attempt and get Santa home safely, Callum Drift (Johnson), the chief of North Pole Security, teams up with hacker and bounty hunter Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans). Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, and Bonnie Hunt also make appearances in the action-packed movie.
Joining Jungle Cruise and his DC Extended Universe movie Black Adam, Red One is the most recent in Johnson’s run of high-profile failures. Johnson hopes for additional successes soon, with the live-action Moana remake and his biographical sports drama, The Smashing Machine, scheduled for 2025 and 2026, respectively. Moana 2 is a much-needed lift for the wrestler-turned-actor.
Red One is currently screening in North American theaters.
Sources: Collider
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