Prime Video's $250 Million Action Epic That Critics Trashed - and Audiences Absolutely Loved - Is Climbing the Charts Again
Scroll Prime Video this week and you'll see it: that candy-cane-colored action movie everyone argued about last year is back near the top. Families are pressing play again. And honestly, that says a lot about what people want right now - something big, loud, and warm enough to watch together.
The movie is Red One. A year after its release, it's surged back to the fourth spot on Prime Video's movie chart and seventh overall across movies and TV. It already smashed streaming records when it hit the service in 2024, and the momentum clearly isn't gone.
On paper, Amazon took a giant swing - the kind that's supposed to be risk-proof. Dwayne Johnson (movies and tv series) and Chris Evans (movies and tv series) up front. Lucy Liu (movies and tv series), J.K. Simmons (movies and tv series), Kiernan Shipka (movies and tv series), Nick Kroll (movies and tv series), and Bonnie Hunt (movies and tv series) backing them up. Jake Kasdan (movies and tv series) directing from a script by Chris Morgan (movies and tv series) and Hiram Garcia. Big CG action, lots of quippy comedy, and a holiday hook.
But theaters didn't bite. Red One cost over $250 million and pulled in about $186 million worldwide during its theatrical run. It looked like a miss - until the home crowd showed up, like they always do for comfort watches with a seasonal vibe.
What's in the movie?
Johnson plays the head of security at the North Pole. Santa - played with a twinkle by J.K. Simmons - gets kidnapped by an evil witch, and the rescue mission turns into a glossy, myth-mashing chase through holiday folklore. It's a slick mash-up: fantasy, action, and a steady stream of punchlines.
Critics vs. Audiences: A Wild Split
Here's where it gets interesting. Critics gave Red One a rough ride - a 30% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers pushed back hard with an 89% audience rating.
And the user comments aren't shy. "I absolutely loved it, it was a perfect Christmas film," one person wrote. Another: "Apparently, this movie was considered a flop. But I thought it was great. It was a fun and exciting new take on Santa Claus (movies and tv series). Really entertaining movie."
So why is it climbing again now?
- Seasonal rewatch energy. Holiday titles cycle back, and this one's built for family co-viewing.
- Star power travels. Johnson and Evans still draw clicks, especially for all-ages action.
- Comfort beats. It's shiny, safe, and familiar - the kind of movie you can throw on while wrapping gifts or making cocoa.
There's also the simple math of the homepage. If a title spikes once, platforms tend to surface it more often. More tiles, more plays. Maybe it's timing. Maybe it's the candy-cane aesthetic. Either way, people are pressing play again.
Where it sits on Prime Video right now
Red One is currently the fourth most popular movie on Prime Video. It's seventh overall when you stack it against TV series, too. The top of the movie chart? Tyler Perry (movies and tv series)'s Finding Joy is sitting at No. 1, How the Grinch Stole Christmas at No. 2, and Wicked at No. 3 - a lineup that screams comfort and familiarity, with one new juggernaut looping in new viewers.
By the numbers
- Budget: $250M-plus
- Box office: ~$186M worldwide
- Rotten Tomatoes: 30% critics, 89% audience
- Prime Video ranking: No. 4 among movies, No. 7 overall
What this could mean
Studios will point to Red One as proof that a theatrical stumble doesn't end a film's life. If a title can become an annual tradition at home - especially with kids - it can earn back attention over time. Not everything needs a critics' seal to find its people.
For Prime Video, this is a seasonal asset now. The kind that pops when the tree goes up, then pops again when folks want a comfort watch. And for those of us tracking this beat, it's a reminder to look beyond opening weekend. The story doesn't end there - sometimes, that's where it starts.
If you missed it the first time, you know where to find it. And if your living room sounds like mine did last night - laughter, a few groans, and somebody quoting Santa - well, that's kind of the point.
