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Action comedy

Red One (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Red One (2024) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
worldwide gross
$186M
Echo Score
47
Metascore
34
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Red One (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Director
Jake Kasdan
Original language
English
Budget
$250M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

From the director

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.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

47 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$186M

74% of its budget back

US & Canada
$97M
International
$89M
Budget
$250M
US & Canada 52% Rest of the world 48%
Videos

Red One Trailers & Videos

22 videos: 2 trailers, 5 teasers, 4 clips, 9 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 22 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Teaser Christmas Ad
  • Teaser Let's Save Christmas
  • Teaser Suit up
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What does Jack O'Malley do to create a distraction at the mall?

Cars

Cars in Red One

29 cars on screen, including the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C8 and the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado.

All 29 cars
  • 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C8 in Red One 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C8 Important role
  • 2022 Chevrolet Silverado in Red One 2022 Chevrolet Silverado Important role
  • 2021 Chevrolet Suburban in Red One 2021 Chevrolet Suburban Important role
  • 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT in Red One 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT Important role

Seen Red One?

FAQ

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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