Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans’ Red One Sees Predictable Box Office Debut Amid Positive Buzz
The debut weekend numbers are in for Red One, starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, and they align closely with industry expectations. With the holiday season ramping up, the film’s release timing couldn’t have been better. Garnering attention for its strategic debut, the movie has minimal box office competition this week. Distributed by Amazon MGM, it will soon be available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Amazon MGM reportedly anticipates that even if theatrical performance falls short, the movie’s streaming potential will shine, a model increasingly used to recoup marketing expenses through limited theatrical runs before streaming availability.
According to trade analyst Luiz Fernando, Red One has resonated well with audiences, receiving positive word-of-mouth. Audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes stand at an impressive 90%, contrasting with a less favorable 33% score from critics. Reviewers commented, “Wrapped in slick packaging but wholly lacking in holiday magic, Red One is a ho-ho-hum action-adventure.” While its debut numbers were below Johnson’s previous releases like Rampage, Jungle Cruise, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Red One still made a mark with a solid $34.1 million in its U.S. opening weekend—comfortably within projections of $30 million to $34 million. This achievement marks the biggest debut for a theatrical release from a major tech streaming studio.
Comparing Johnson’s Box Office Performances
For context, here’s how Dwayne Johnson’s other hits fared in their opening weekends:
- Rampage – $35.8 million
- Jungle Cruise – $35 million
- Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle – $36.2 million
Red One also premiered internationally before its U.S. release, grossing $50 million from 75 foreign markets. Combined with its $34.1 million domestic opening, the film’s total global earnings stand at $84.1 million. With a production budget of $200 million, the movie’s financial trajectory remains closely watched.
Released on November 15, Red One represents Amazon MGM’s continued experimentation with theatrical releases as part of a broader strategy to bolster its streaming successes.