Dwayne Johnson’s holiday action-comedy Red One topped the box office this weekend, debuting with $34.1 million in ticket sales, studio estimates revealed Sunday. The Amazon MGM Studios film, boasting a reported $200 million budget, drew mixed results as it faces long-term streaming ambitions rather than immediate box-office success.
Originally intended for Amazon’s Prime Video, Red One marks the first major studio holiday release in six years, with Johnson starring as Santa’s bodyguard. Despite criticism, including a 33% Rotten Tomatoes score, audiences gave it a favorable A- CinemaScore. The film, also starring Chris Evans, saw stronger reception in middle America, hinting at potential Thanksgiving holiday endurance.
Globally, Warner Bros. has handled international releases, netting $50 million over two weekends. Still, competition looms as Thanksgiving blockbusters like Wicked, Gladiator II, and Johnson’s Moana 2 gear up to dominate theaters. Industry analysts predict a robust holiday movie season, fueled by these tentpole releases.
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