Red One (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Red One is a 2024 action comedy directed by Jake Kasdan, starring Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift, Chris Evans and Wyatt Hunt. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $186 million worldwide on a $250 million budget. Critics gave it 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Jake Kasdan
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Amazon MGM Studios
- Budget
- $250M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Red One About?
The premise of Red One without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
When Santa is kidnapped from the North Pole, an Extremely Large and Formidable operative, played by Dwayne Johnson, is tasked with finding him. He reluctantly teams up with the world’s most skilled tracker, portrayed by Chris Evans, on a perilous journey to rescue Santa and save Christmas.
Red One Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- christmas
- santa claus character
- villainess
- color in title
- fight
- holiday
- christmas eve
- mrs. santa claus character
- holiday season
- security
- krampus character
- holiday comedy
+38 more Show fewer
- headless horseman character
- kidnapping
- witch
- evil witch
- talking polar bear
- polar bear
- wisecrack humor
- hostility
- pumpkin
- challenge
- piano
- abduction
- threat
- race against time
- talking animal
- duel
- reindeer
- reference to wonder woman
- sleigh
- christmas gift
- put to sleep
- unconsciousness
- violence
- ambush
- attack
- north pole
- mischief
- shapeshifter
- monopoly the board game
- starting a fire
- sliding down a drain pipe
- ogre
- philadelphia pennsylvania
- sitting on santa's lap
- reference to loch ness monster
- 30 years later
- slapped in the face
- ice cream truck
Red One Cast & Characters
Dwayne Johnson leads the cast as Callum Drift, with Chris Evans as Jack O'Malley and Wyatt Hunt as Young Jack. Directed by Jake Kasdan; 13 actors are credited in all.
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Director Jake Kasdan
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Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift -
Chris Evans as Jack O'Malley - Wyatt Hunt as Young Jack
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Marc Evan Jackson as Uncle Rick
Also Starring in Red One
· 9 more- J.K. Simmons Nick
- Bonnie Hunt Mrs. Claus
- Lucy Liu Zoe
- Mary Elizabeth Ellis Olivia
- Wesley Kimmel Dylan
- Kiernan Shipka Gryla
- Nick Kroll Ted
- Kristofer Hivju Krampus
- Makana David Barista
More from Jake Kasdan
More films directed by Jake Kasdan, best-rated first: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, The TV Set and Jumanji: The Next Level.
Red One Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Red One 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 47/100, strongest in art & craft (55) and weakest in story & flow (40).
Red One Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Red One struggles to blend its ambitious visuals with coherent storytelling and emotional depth. While some viewers appreciate the novel holiday magic and dynamic lead performances, many found the narrative uneven and the pacing sluggish, particularly in the latter half. The characters often lack development, and the reliance on CGI undermines the intended festive charm. As a result, the film delivers sporadic entertainment but fails to achieve lasting appeal or consistent engagement.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 55
In terms of art and craft, Red One presents a blend of ambitious CGI and traditional production elements that is uneven in execution. The visual style offers occasional inventive details, such as the design of mythical creatures, but the pervasive digital effects often feel artificial and detract from the intended festive atmosphere. Editing transitions can be abrupt, affecting the film’s overall cohesion.
- Character & Emotion 45
When it comes to character and emotion, the film delivers competent performances from its leads but offers limited depth across the ensemble. The protagonists exhibit moments of charm and humor, yet their arcs lack significant development, and supporting figures rarely register beyond surface traits. Emotional resonance is inconsistent, leaving the viewer with a sense of missed potential in the interpersonal dynamics.
- Story & Flow 40
In terms of story and flow, Red One features an inventive premise but suffers from structural imbalance and uneven pacing. Early scenes establish an engaging holiday framework, yet mid-film detours into action-heavy sequences disrupt narrative coherence. The plot’s multiple villains and shifting focus dilute the central conflict, resulting in a storyline that struggles to maintain momentum or fully capitalize on its underlying concept.
- Sensory Experience 55
When evaluated for sensory experience, the film alternates between striking set pieces and overly polished CGI sequences that undercut its immersive potential. The musical score provides occasional festive motifs, but sound design can feel generic amid explosive action. Visual flair appears in creature design and environmental highlights, yet an inconsistent aesthetic cohesion hampers sustained sensory engagement throughout the runtime.
- Rewatch Factor 50
Regarding rewatch factor, Red One offers sporadic enjoyment on subsequent viewings but lacks the consistent charm necessary for repeat engagement. Certain action sequences and fantasy elements retain appeal, yet narrative weaknesses and a lack of emotional payoff diminish its long-term draw. The film’s uneven tone and reliance on spectacle over substance make it unlikely to secure a prominent place in annual holiday rotations.
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IMDb 6.2 /10
159834 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 34 Metascore
User score 5.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB
Red One Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Red One from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film begins three decades prior, where a young Jack O’Malley (portrayed by Wyatt Hunt) excitedly ushers his cousins upstairs amidst the festive chaos of a family Christmas gathering. With childlike wonder, he reveals to them the truth about their presents—gifts not from Santa Claus, but from their very own parents. This mischief is quickly curtailed by Uncle Rick (played by Marc Evan Jackson), who sternly reprimands Jack for ruining the magic of the season.
Full summary
The whole story of Red One, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Red One Box Office & Budget
Red One grossed $186 million worldwide on a $250 million budget, 74% of what it cost. $97 million came from the US and Canada and $89 million (48%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$186M
74% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $97M
- International
- $89M
- Budget
- $250M
Red One Trailers & Videos
22 videos: 2 trailers, 5 teasers, 4 clips, 9 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Trailer Official Trailer 2
- Teaser Christmas Ad
- Teaser Let's Save Christmas
- Teaser Suit up
How Well Do You Know Red One?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What does Jack O'Malley do to create a distraction at the mall?
Cars in Red One
29 cars on screen, including the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C8 and the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado.
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2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C8 Important role -
2022 Chevrolet Silverado Important role -
2021 Chevrolet Suburban Important role -
2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT Important role
Seen Red One?
Movies Like Red One
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Santa with Muscles, Violent Night and One Hell of a Christmas.
Articles About Red One
Our article about Red One: “Red One (2024) Review: User and Critic Opinions on Reception and Performance”.
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Opinions
Red One FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Red One, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Red One?
Red One runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was Red One released?
Red One was released on November 15, 2024.
Who directed Red One?
Red One was directed by Jake Kasdan.
More films by Jake Kasdan Who is in the cast of Red One?
Red One stars Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift, Chris Evans as Jack O'Malley and Wyatt Hunt as Young Jack, among 13 credited actors.
How much did Red One make at the box office?
Red One grossed $186 million worldwide ($97 million domestic, $89 million international) on a budget of $250 million.
How is Red One rated?
Red One has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 34 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
Does Red One have a post-credit scene?
No. Red One has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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