The Rock & Chris Evans’ ‘Red One’ Struggling at Box Office

The holiday blockbuster that had everyone talking, Red One, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Chris Evans, has officially hit theaters, but it’s not exactly breaking records.

According to Variety, the high-budget holiday action flick opened with a modest $10.9 million on its first day, leading to an estimated $30 million opening weekend. Not the jolliest start for a movie with a reported $250 million price tag—before marketing costs.

Despite this underwhelming box office debut, Red One was never meant to be a traditional movie release. Amazon snagged the project in 2021 after a fierce bidding war, planning for it to be a Prime Video exclusive during the height of the streaming wars. Back then, platforms were battling to secure exclusive content to draw in subscribers. Fast forward to now, and Amazon, like other streamers, is experimenting with theatrical releases for its originals, giving Red One a shot at box office glory before it hits streaming.

Even though its numbers don’t scream blockbuster, Amazon likely sees any earnings as a win. The film is expected to be a major holiday draw on Prime Video, which could recoup its investment through streaming performance. The theater run? Just icing on the Christmas cake.

The movie’s release comes as the holiday season lineup gets competitive. With heavyweight contenders like Wicked and Moana 2 about to enter the scene, not to mention Gladiator II lurking around the corner, Red One has its work cut out for it. But hey, any box office return is bonus cash for Amazon, as the real payoff will come from its streaming debut.

Meanwhile, other box office contenders are holding their ground. Venom: The Last Dance takes second place with $6.1 million this weekend, pushing its domestic total past $120 million and over $400 million globally. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever lands in third with $6 million, surpassing the $20 million mark, while Heretic and The Wild Robot round out the top five with $4.6 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

So, what’s your take on Red One’s theatrical run? Will it win over audiences when it hits Prime Video, or is it already on the naughty list? Share your thoughts and join the holiday movie convo in the comments below!