Red One Approaches Key Box Office Milestone for Dwayne Johnson to Overcome Disappointment

Red One has encountered significant challenges at the box office, putting Dwayne Johnson’s career at a potentially low point. Released on November 15, 2024, just ahead of the holiday season, the film has not resonated with audiences as expected. Red One chronicles the adventures of Johnson’s character, Callum Drift, who serves as the head of security at the North Pole. In a twist of fate, he must seek assistance from a bounty hunter after Santa is abducted.

The film boasts a notable ensemble cast, including Chris Evans, J.K. Simmons, Lucy Liu, and Kiernan Shipka. However, despite these star credentials, the critical reception has been disheartening, with Red One currently sitting at a mere 31% on Rotten Tomatoes (source: Rotten Tomatoes). Financially, the film has struggled as well, grossing only $164 million against a hefty production budget of $250 million.

Can Red One Avoid Becoming Dwayne Johnson’s Lowest Grossing Movie?

In order to avoid being labeled as Dwayne Johnson’s lowest-grossing film in a decade, Red One must accrue an additional $14 million at the box office.

A Precedent: Baywatch’s Struggles at the Box Office

Since its premiere nearly a month ago, Red One has amassed approximately $85,792,180 domestically and $78,800,000 internationally, culminating in a total worldwide gross of $164,592,180 (source: Box Office Mojo). This lackluster performance is surprising, particularly for a film marketed as a high-octane holiday adventure. The detrimental reviews are likely a significant factor hindering attendance at theaters, reminiscent of Johnson’s similar challenges seven years ago.

For context, Baywatch, which also starred Johnson, suffered a severe box office fallout. Despite being based on a beloved television series, its reception relegated it to the bottom tier of his filmography, with a global gross of only $177,856,750 (source: Box Office Mojo). Should Red One manage to surpass this number, it would at least provide some relief to the actor amid widespread disappointment. However, this task could prove difficult given that Red One is set to transition to streaming on Prime Video starting December 12.

Finding Light in the Challenges: The Future of Red One

Is Red One Likely to Surpass Baywatch?

Interestingly, Red One was initially intended as a direct-to-streaming release on Prime Video, but the plan was altered to include a theatrical experience following the 2023 Hollywood strikes. This adjustment sparked hopes for a new holiday franchise. Unfortunately, the current disappointing box office results indicate that a sequel is highly unlikely.

Nevertheless, if Red One can surpass Baywatch‘s earnings, it will help mitigate the perception of failure surrounding Johnson’s career trajectory. Surpassing this milestone, even amid its overall underperformance, offers a tentative silver lining. Regardless, there is optimism that once it becomes available on Prime Video, the film will find renewed success in the streaming realm.

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