Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Red One’ Unwraps $26 Million at International Box Office, ‘Venom 3’ Nears $400 Million Globally
“Red One,” a Christmas-themed release in which Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays Santa’s head of security, didn’t have too big a bounty to unwrap in its international box office debut. The film collected just $26.6 million from 25,195 screens across 75 overseas markets over the weekend.
By comparison, “Venom: The Last Dance” added $33 million from 66 overseas markets over the same three-day frame while in its third weekend of release. The third and final entry in Sony’s comic book trilogy has grossed $279.4 million overseas and $394.2 million globally to date. Though “Venom 3” has continued to draw audiences beyond opening weekend, the newest entry in the Tom Hardy-led alien symbiote saga is pacing behind its predecessors, 2018’s “Venom” ($642 million internationally and $856 million globally) and 2021’s “Let There Be Carnage” ($293 million internationally and $506 million worldwide). However, “The Last Dance” cost $120 million, a relatively economical budget compared to other comic book adaptations, so it’ll be decently positioned in its theatrical run.
“Red One” opens on Nov. 15 at the domestic box office, where it’s projected to earn anywhere from $20 million to $40 million. The film, which is being released by Warner Bros. in overseas markets and Amazon MGM in North America, carries a gargantuan price tag of nearly $250 million and needs a long life on the big screen to justify that cost — which doesn’t include global marketing efforts. Amazon MGM, however, cares about much more than box office grosses. The tech behemoth sees theatrical releases as a way to lure top talent and generate buzz for the streaming service, Prime Video.
“Red One” started strongest in the United Kingdom, debuting in second place with $3.2 million from 902 screens. Other opening weekends included Mexico with $2.3 million, China with a soft $2 million and Spain with $1.5 million. Reviews have been mixed for “Red One,” which picks up as Saint Nick (J.K. Simmons) is kidnapped, which triggers a rescue mission led by one gruff North Pole body guard (Johnson) and an unwitting bounty hunter (Chris Evans). Jake Kasdan (“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) directed the film.
Elsewhere at the international box office, Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” is nearing the $300 million mark. Ticket sales are currently at $292.4 million worldwide, including $161.5 million overseas.
