The latest Christmas movie “Red One” was released in theaters on November 15, making $86 Million in the Unites States alone, and $165 million in total worldwide. The movie’s sales were considered a flop, but how? Isn’t $165 Million a lot of money? Yes, for an average movie, but “Red One” isn’t an average movie. It cost around $250 Million to produce. 

          “Red One’s” budget is a lot higher than most movies, especially Christmas movies. The high cost of “Red One” makes it almost impossible to make the money back. But the movie’s major intent was not to succeed very well in theaters. “Red One” wasn’t built to go to movies, it “was originally built to go straight-to-streaming” (U.S. News). The movie was meant to be released on streaming platforms on day one, but it was put in theaters instead. According to Kevin Wilson, head of distribution for Amazon MGM Studios, “We’re really happy with the results”(U.S. News). Even though the movie didn’t do that great in theaters, they were happy with how well it did for a movie meant to go straight to streaming.

          The movie’s intent was to become a Christmas classic. According to U.S News, “Red One” is playing the long game, wanting to become a Christmas classic rather than just a success in theaters. That’s why it was supposed to be released to streaming on its release. 

          The box office numbers may show a loss, but “Red One” is one of “the highest-grossing Amazon MGM movie[s] ever.” But will “Red One” actually become a Christmas classic, or will it end up like Thanksgiving leftovers?