In a groundbreaking feat, “Red One” has become the most-watched film debut ever on the Prime Video streaming platform, attracting a whopping 50 million viewers worldwide in its first weekend. This Christmas film, starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, has captivated audiences and achieved unprecedented success for Amazon MGM Studios.
This is what Amazon MGM head of theatrical distribution Kevin Wilson had to say about the film’s $250 million budget;
“Whether or not people like it, the value of these movies is different for our business model. … If we can put these movies out theatrically and cover our P&A [print and advertising] costs, why wouldn’t we? We’re getting a massive marketing campaign that’s being paid for before the film gets to streaming.”
According to Amazon MGM Studios head Jennifer Salke on the film’s streaming debut;
“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. 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.”
However, it’s important to note that Amazon does not provide a clear definition of what constitutes a “view.” Thus, the reported viewership figures may not accurately represent the number of individuals who watched the film in its entirety. Streaming platforms often have varying metrics to calculate viewership, which may include total minutes watched or an estimation based on the film’s runtime.
“Red One” is a PG-13 holiday action comedy and follows the adventures of Callum Drift (played by Dwayne Johnson), the head of North Pole security, and his reluctant partnership with hacker Jack O’Malley (portrayed by Chris Evans) to rescue Santa Claus from kidnappers. The film promises humor, excitement, and holiday cheer for audiences of all ages.
With its monumental success on both the big screen and the Prime Video streaming platform, “Red One” has undoubtedly made this December a memorable one for Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the movie this festive season.
