Red One (2024)

Red One reportedly cost somewhere between $200 and $250 million, and somehow none of it bought any Christmas spirit. Dwayne Johnson plays Callum Drift, head of Santa’s security detail, counting down to retirement after one final sleigh run and sour on humanity because the Naughty List keeps getting longer. When Santa gets snatched from the North Pole on Christmas Eve, a secret agency called MORA pairs Callum with Jack O’Malley, Chris Evans as a hacker and lifelong Santa skeptic who sold the big guy’s location. Their search runs through a broker in Aruba, a gang of snowmen and a visit to Krampus, Santa’s estranged adoptive brother. That’s a mountain of folklore and very little wonder. It works best when it leans into how cheesy it is. It mostly doesn’t. Critics gave it 30% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it made $186 million worldwide. A 3.6 because it has every Christmas ingredient and no sparkle. $49.36 says you check your own name against the Naughty List before bed and don’t love what you find.

What works: When it leans into how silly a Santa security detail is, it’s harmless family fun with a few jokes aimed at the grown-ups.

What doesn’t: It keeps mistaking noise, gadgets and explanations of mythical creatures for holiday spirit, and it drags at 123 minutes.

Who it’s for: Families who want a big, loud Christmas action movie on in the background while the cookies bake.