“Red One” debuted as Prime Video’s No. 1 Amazon MGM Studios movie ever this past weekend, the streamer announced on Monday. That’s after it released a month prior in theaters.
According to Amazon, 50 million viewers watched the Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans-led Christmas movie in its first four days of at-home viewing. The holiday buddy action-comedy previously made $175 million at the box office after first premiering in theaters on Nov. 15 (the budget was over $250 million, by comparison).
“Given the audience response to ‘Red One’ both in theaters and on Prime Video, the film will clearly be a perennial holiday favorite for years to come,” Amazon MGM Studios head Jennifer Salke said in a Monday statement. “Every film is different, and we are so grateful for the partnership with our filmmakers in collectively finding the right strategy to get this film in front of the widest possible audience.”
“With ‘Red One,’ there was no doubt that strategy needed to include a theatrical release and associated marketing campaign, which drove audiences to theaters and generated awareness for the film with viewers who would ultimately tune in on Prime Video,” she continued. “It’s rewarding to see our plan pay off for customers, and we are incredibly thankful to the entire filmmaking team and cast who helped make it happen.”
Those ratings came after TheWrap exclusively reported earlier behind-the-scenes troubles for the expensive piece of IP — particularly in relation to star/producer Johnson. Regardless, the film still nabbed an A- on Cinemascore and a 90% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
“Red One” also stars Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, Wesley Kimmel and J.K. Simmons, from director Jake Kasdan and writer Chris Morgan.
“Red One” is now streaming on Prime Video.