Box Office Report: "Red One" Leads Holiday Weekend Amid Mixed Reception
LOS ANGELES – The holiday season kicked off on a rather subdued note for moviegoers, as Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans’ action-comedy "Red One" debuted with $34.1 million over its opening weekend. This figure, while enough to top the box office, raises concerns given its hefty production budget of over $200 million, with some estimates nearing $250 million. However, as an Amazon MGM Studios release, "Red One" isn’t solely dependent on theatrical receipts. Kevin Wilson, head of distribution for Amazon MGM Studios, emphasized that the film’s performance should be viewed through the lens of its potential reach on Amazon Prime Video, boasting over 250 million global subscribers.
Originally intended for a straight-to-streaming release prior to Amazon’s MGM acquisition, "Red One" was positioned as a boon for theaters during a slow release period. Despite its struggles, Wilson stated he was pleased with the results, noting that "the theatrical marketplace is sometimes unforgiving, especially for original films.”
Critics were not as kind, with "Red One" receiving a lowly 33% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers dubbed it an "unwanted high-priced Christmas present." In contrast, audience reception was warmer, reflected by an A- CinemaScore, perhaps hinting at its potential as a holiday classic.
Following "Red One," Sony’s "Venom: The Last Dance" secured second place with $7.4 million, while Lionsgate’s "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" garnered $5.4 million to clinch third. A24’s horror film "Heretic," featuring Hugh Grant, captured fourth with $5.2 million, while Universal’s "The Wild Robot" rounded out the top five with $4.3 million, crossing the $300 million mark worldwide.
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