Dwayne Johnson's Red One Opens to $34.1 Million

Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans' holiday action comedy, 'Red One', debuted at the top of the box office, earning $34.1 million in its opening weekend, despite a hefty production budget estimated between $200 million and $250 million. While traditional studios would consider this a flop, Amazon MGM Studios views the theatrical release as a bonus, anticipating significant future viewership on Prime Video. Critics have largely panned the film, giving it a low 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but audience reception was more favorable, reflected in an A- CinemaScore. The film's release comes ahead of other major holiday titles like 'Gladiator II' and 'Moana 2', which may impact its long-term box office performance. Amazon's strategy focuses on subscriber engagement rather than immediate box office returns, indicating that the film's success will be gauged over a longer period. With its unique positioning as the first major studio holiday release since 2018, 'Red One' may still find its place in holiday viewing traditions despite initial box office concerns.