Dwayne Johnson & Chris Evans’ “Red One” Approaches $100 Million at Box Office

Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans’ Christmas film “Red One” is set to surpass $100 million globally at the box office after an initial $32.1 million in North America. Despite facing rivalry from major releases this weekend, it enjoys solid viewer ratings and the potential for strong holiday multiples. Its unique transition from a streaming movie to theaters highlights Amazon’s evolving content strategy.

In a festive twist, the action-packed Christmas film featuring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, titled “Red One,” is poised to hit the $100 million mark at the global box office tomorrow. Despite debuting slightly below expectations with a U.S. and Canadian weekend haul of $32.1 million, it maintained a strong showing throughout the week, demonstrating promise with an impressive 87% rise on Tuesday compared to Monday. With its Tuesday earnings totaling $3.1 million, it’s only a whisper away from matching the opening trajectory of Johnson’s previous hit, “Rampage.”

Although the film’s performance is robust, it faces tough competition from upcoming blockbusters like Universal’s “Wicked Part One” and Paramount’s “Gladiator II,” predicted to overshadow “Red One”. Pre-release buzz suggests “Wicked” alone could rake in between $130 million to $150 million during its first weekend. Despite critics not showering it with praise, “Red One” has received an encouraging A- CinemaScore, hinting at potential longevity in theaters. Christmas films have historically enjoyed strong box office multiples, suggesting a bright future ahead before entering the streaming world.

“Red One” serves not only as a vehicle for Johnson and Evans but also as an example of shifting film distribution strategies, where platforms like Amazon are reimagining cinematic releases. Originally designed as a streaming feature, the decision to push for a theatrical experience speaks volumes about its potential for audience outreach. The film’s production cost is between $200 million and $250 million, with a global marketing budget nearing $100 million. These factors combined indicate the stakes are high, reflecting the broader trends in Christmas releases before a digital streaming existence takes hold.

By crossing the $100 million threshold, “Red One” could be deemed a success against its substantial budget and marketing investment, despite it grappling with fierce competition and mixed critical reception. With its potential to double box office performance in the coming weeks, the film may yet carve out a favorable legacy in holiday viewership, demonstrating that despite the modern challenges facing theatrical releases, there’s still a warm audience awaiting at the box office.

Original Source: deadline.com