10 Movies To Watch After Red One

Red One brings a new level of action and comedy to heartfelt Christmas movies, with audience reviews remarking on how entertaining the holiday movie is. Red One boasts a cast of action stars, particularly Chris Evans and Dwayne Johnson, who are always reliable fan favorites. Though Red One is unique in many ways, there are other great movies that also include Red One cast members or that strike a similar tone to the action-packed holiday movie to follow up with.

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Johnson and Evans’ humor and action as Callum and Jack, Lucy Liu’s commanding presence, and Kiernan Shipka’s mythical villain Gryla all add unique elements to Red One that have already made it one of 2024’s most notable Christmas movies. From previous action comedies starring Red One‘s cast, to non-traditional Christmas movies with a heartwarming message, there are numerous projects for audiences to check out next.

10 The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Another Family Friendly Christmas Action Comedy

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ScreenRant logo 8/10 The Christmas Chronicles PGFamilyAdventureComedyFantasy

The Christmas Chronicles is a 2018 Netflix original Christmas movie starring Kurt Russell as Santa Claus. After sneaking onto Santa’s sleigh and losing all of the world’s presents by crashing the sleigh, two young children named Teddy and Kate race against time to save Christmas. The film was followed up by The Christmas Chronicles 2 in 2020.

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*Availability in US Director Clay Kaytis Writers Matt Lieberman Cast Lamorne Morris , Darby Camp , Judah Lewis , Kimberly Williams-Paisley , Kurt Russell , Oliver Hudson Release Date November 22, 2018 Runtime 104 minutes Sequel(s) The Christmas Chronicles 2 Expand

Netflix’s 2018 holiday comedy The Christmas Chronicles, directed by Clay Kaytis, is a perfect follow-up to Red One. The Christmas Chronicles is a similarly unconventional take on a family-friendly holiday film that sees two children saving Christmas after crashing Santa Claus’s sleigh and watching Santa get arrested in a car chase. Like Red One, The Christmas Chronicles gives Santa a modern update and includes some cool action scenes.

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The Christmas Chronicles is certainly different in tone than Christmas classics like Frosty the Snowman, but it’s worth the watch for its creativity. The movie infuses the common themes of Christmas movies, such as gratitude, starting fresh, and finding joy in helping others, without losing excitement. What’s even better is that the movie even has a sequel streaming on Netflix too for fans who want even more Christmas fun.

9 Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (2017)

For Another Collaboration Between Kasdan And Johnson

Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle Movie Poster

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ScreenRant logo 6/10 8.3/10 Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle PG-13ActionAdventureComedy

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is an action-adventure comedy directed by Jake Kasdan and acts as the sequel to the original 1995 film. When a group of disconnected high school students end up in detention, they stumble upon a video game titled “Jumanji.” When they decide to try it, the group is dragged into the video game world, all in entirely different bodies. Trapped in a lush-jungle-themed digital world, the four teenagers must play by the game’s rules if they hope to return home.

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*Availability in US Director Jake Kasdan Writers Chris McKenna , Erik Sommers , Scott Rosenberg , Jeff Pinkner Cast Dwayne Johnson , Jack Black , Kevin Hart , Karen Gillan , Nick Jonas , Bobby Cannavale , Alex Wolff , Ser’darius Blain , Madison Iseman , Morgan Turner Release Date December 5, 2017 Runtime 119 Minutes Franchise(s) Jumanji Expand

Prior to Red One, director Jake Kasdan had previously worked with Dwayne Johnson on 2017’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and its 2019 sequel Jumanji: The Next Level. Kasdan had already made quite a name for himself directing movies and TV shows, but Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle became an instant hit. The movie took the original board game setting of 1995’s Jumanji and updated it to a video game to make the movie more fitting for the 21st century. The resulting film is a funny, action-packed adventure.

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Thanks to his performance as an awkward teenager turned into the strong group leader, Johnson’s Dr. Xander Bravestone is consistently funny, and the entire cast works well together to elevate Kasdan’s direction. Though Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle lacks Red One‘s Christmas setting, the movie is a perfect follow-up for audiences looking for an action movie with a similar style of humor and a familiar face onscreen.

8 Krampus (2015)

A Different Take On A Character That Appears In Red One

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ScreenRant logo 5/10 7.3/10 Krampus PG-13FantasyComedyHorror

Directed by Michael Dougherty, Krampus is a 2015 Horror and Comedy release that stars Adam Scott, David Koechner, Toni Collette, and Allison Tolman. The film sees a feuding family accidentally unleash a darkness on their home which sees Krampus stalking them on Christmas Eve.

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*Availability in US Director Michael Dougherty Writers Michael Dougherty , Todd Casey , Zach Shields Cast Luke Hawker , Toni Collette , Adam Scott , Emjay Anthony , Allison Tolman , Stefania Owen , David Koechner , Conchata Ferrell Release Date December 4, 2015 Runtime 98minutes

Within Red One, Krampus is Santa’s adoptive brother, but that is not the only story featuring the Christmas legend. Traditionally, Krampus is a demonic creature from Alpine folklore that punishes bad children on the eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas, serving as a sort of opposite to Santa Claus. While he is not exactly friendly for the majority of Red One, the 2015 holiday horror film, Krampus, makes the character notably darker.

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Krampus follows a young boy named Max and his family as they prepare for Christmas and spending time with their extended family. When the family begins to be attacked by toys that come to life and monstrous creatures, their grandmother explains that it is the doing of Krampus, who is angry that their family has lost their Christmas spirit. Krampus explores the origins of the legendary figure that appears in Red One in more depth while adding scares suitable for audiences wanting a little more edge in their Christmas movies.

7 Gremlins (1984)

More Magical Creatures At Christmastime

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ScreenRant logo 8/10 7.1/10 Gremlins PGComedyFantasyHorror

When a father gives his son Billy a magical creature known as a Mogwai as a gift, the boy is given strict rules to follow regarding its care. When a lapse in judgment creates the mischievous Gremlins – creatures intent on destruction that threaten to ruin Christmas for the entire town of Kingston Falls – it’s up to Billy and his Mogwai companion Gizmo to save the town from the army of little monsters.

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*Availability in US Director Joe Dante Writers Chris Columbus Cast Phoebe Cates , Corey Feldman , Zach Galligan , Hoyt Axton , Polly Holliday , Howie Mandel Release Date June 7, 1984 Runtime 106 minutes Sequel(s) Gremlins 2: The New Batch , Gremlins 3 Expand

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Gremlins is the perfect follow-up to Red One for viewers who are interested in the mythological creatures that appear throughout the movie. The magical creatures that make appearances in Red One, like Krampus, Red One‘s villain Gryla, and even the Headless Horseman, all have their beginnings in legends or stories in the same way that gremlins do. In this case, Gremlins was inspired by the mischievous creatures of the same name, which were first mentioned in the 1920s and became popularized in a book by Roald Dahl.

Red One JK Simmons as Santa Claus and Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift Related Red One Ending Explained

2024’s Red One is a Christmas movie that sees the kidnapping and rescue of Santa Claus, with lots of action, comedy, and a bit of drama.

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Though Gremlins includes less action than Red One, focusing instead on combining aspects of comedy and light amounts of horror, it is still a classic Christmas movie that works well as a double feature with Red One. The evil creatures in Gremlins wreak havoc on the town of Kingston Falls during Christmastime in a similar way to Gryla’s sons throughout Red One, with a few laughs and heartfelt moments along the way.

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6 Charlie’s Angels (2000)

A Similarly Funny Action Movie Starring Lucy Liu

Charlie's Angels 2000 Poster

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Charlie’s Angels PG-13ActionAdventureComedy

Charlie’s Angels is the first movie in the Charlie’s Angels franchise that began in 1976. The film was released in 2000 and starred Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu as the titular “Charlie’s Angels.” The film received a sequel in 2003 titled Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. Charlie’s Angels was a box office success and received mixed to positive reviews upon release.

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*Availability in US Director McG Writers Ed Solomon , John August , Ryan Rowe Cast Drew Barrymore , Cameron Diaz , Lucy Liu , Bill Murray , Sam Rockwell , Kelly Lynch , LL Cool J , Matt LeBlanc , Tim Curry , Crispin Glover , Luke Wilson , Tom Green Release Date November 3, 2000 Runtime 98 Minutes

Lucy Liu’s Charlie’s Angels character, Alex, is like a spiritual predecessor to her character, Zoe Harlow, in Red One. The 2000 movie Charlie’s Angels sees Liu’s Alex, Cameron Diaz’s Natalie, and Drew Barrymore’s Dylan working as investigators for Charlie Townsend as they try to rescue a man they believe has been kidnapped. The Angels are stealthy and in control, just as Zoe Harlow, the Director of the Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority (MORA), is in Red One.

Liu and her co-stars’ performances in Charlie’s Angels make the movie funny and entertaining enough on its own, and their action sequences put the film over the top. Though Charlie’s Angels is certainly not a Christmas film, and it features a very different set of characters, for fans of Red One‘s action and the quippy dialogue between its leads, Johnson and Evans, Charlie’s Angels is perfect.

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5 Elf (2003)

A Modern Christmas Comedy Classic

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ScreenRant logo 10/10 10/10 Elf PGFamilyComedyFantasy

2003 Christmas comedy classic Elf follows Buddy (Will Ferrell), a human raised among Santa’s elves at the North Pole, when he sets off to New York to find his biological father (James Caan). After learning that children’s book publish Walter Hobbs is his father, Buddy works to immerse himself in human culture – including getting a job in a department store, where he meets and falls in love with fellow “elf” Jovie (Zooey Deschanel). However, when Santa’s sleigh crashes and Christmas is threatened, only Buddy can help save the holidays. 

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*Availability in US Director Jon Favreau Writers David Berenbaum Cast Will Ferrell , Zooey Deschanel , James Caan , Mary Steenburgen , Edward Asner , Bob Newhart , Daniel Tay Release Date November 7, 2003 Runtime 97 minutes

Elf and Red One are the perfect pairing for the holiday movie fan who loves comedy. Will Farrell’s role as Buddy the Elf has become iconic since Elf‘s release in 2003. The movie follows Buddy, who grew up at the North Pole, as he realizes he is a human and ventures out into the real world to find his dad. The two get off to a rough start, but in the end, much like Callum and Jack in Red One, they manage to bond and save Christmas.

Beyond ultimately helping Santa and saving Christmas, both
Red One
and
Elf
touch on the idea of the real meaning of Christmas.

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While Elf does lack the action sequences that help make Red One so exciting, its comedy is next level and, surprisingly, the two films do share some important themes. Beyond ultimately helping Santa and saving Christmas, both Red One and Elf touch on the idea of the real meaning of Christmas. Characters in each film realize that many people have lost the joy of Christmas, leading to more people being on the naughty list or not believing in Santa at all. Red One and Elf help audiences realize that people are often kinder than they seem.

4 Violent Night (2022)

For a Not-So-Family-Friendly Christmas Comedy Action Movie

Violent Night Poster

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ScreenRant logo 7/10 8/10 Violent Night RActionComedyHoliday

David Harbor dons the silk red coat and hat of Santa Claus in Violent Night, a black comedy Christmas action film by director Tommy Wirkola. A group of mercenaries lays siege on the property of a wealthy family on Christmas Eve in hopes of scoring a self-bestowed gift of $300 million, leaving Santa Claus as the unlikely but capable last line of defense. Though the family themselves may not be perfect, the youngest daughter remains a kind-hearted child. With her help, and a unique repertoire of magical skills and tools at his disposal, Santa will double-check his naughty and nice list as he dispenses his own brand of justice to the assailants. 

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*Availability in US Director Tommy Wirkola Writers Pat Casey , Josh Miller Cast David Harbour , John Leguizamo , Beverly D’Angelo , Cam Gigandet , Brendan Fletcher , Edi Patterson , Alex Hassell Release Date December 2, 2022 Runtime 101 minutes

Like Red One‘s kidnapping, Violent Night similarly involves a hostage situation, only this time it is Santa Claus (played by Stranger Things‘ David Harbour) who is at the rescue. After arriving at their house to deliver presents, Santa realizes that the family has been taken hostage by a group of mercenaries who use holiday codenames. In the action-packed thriller, Santa must save the family from their captors before finishing his Christmas Eve duties.

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While
Violent Night
might not be family friendly in the same way as
Red One
, critics and audiences enjoyed it upon release.

Funnily, Violent Night seems to function as a sort of mirror image of Red One, with Santa responsible for fighting the villains himself. While Violent Night might not be family-friendly in the same way as Red One, critics and audiences enjoyed it upon release. Likewise, adult audiences of Red One will be entertained by Violent Night‘s action and humor, making this combination perfect for fans of intense action with a Christmas twist.

3 Knives Out (2019)

To See Another Side Of Chris Evans

Knives Out movie final poster

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ScreenRant logo 9/10 11 9.5/10 Knives Out PG-13DramaCrimeMystery

When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, there are suspects aplenty. Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death.

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*Availability in US Director Rian Johnson Writers Rian Johnson Cast Chris Evans , LaKeith Stanfield , Katherine Langford , Daniel Craig , Toni Collette , Jamie Lee Curtis , Ana De Armas , Michael Shannon , Christopher Plummer , Don Johnson , Riki Lindhome Release Date November 27, 2019 Runtime 130 minutes Sequel(s) Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Expand

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At first glance, Knives Out might seem like the most unusual Red One follow-up on this list, but the two movies are actually the perfect pairing due to their differing Chris Evans performances. While Red One is built on its action sequences, and Evans has more than made his name as an action star through his previous role in the MCU, Knives Out lets him display his talent in a dramatic role, allowing audiences to see a different side of his work. Though he still maintains a hint of similar wit throughout both.

Knives Out counters Red One in many ways, but fans of Chris Evans will enjoy it all the same. Additionally, while Knives Out never explicitly states when the movie takes place, the attire of the characters as well as the movie’s Thanksgiving release indicates that Knives Out takes place in the period surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas, making it the perfect film for this time of the year.

2 The Santa Clause (1994)

No Christmas Movie List Is Complete Without It

The Santa Clause Movie Poster

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ScreenRant logo 8/10 The Santa Clause PGFantasyFamilyComedyDrama

Disney’s The Santa Clause follows Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), a marketing director for a toy company, who, after a recent divorce, is spending Christmas with his young son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd). When he startles an intruder off of his roof on Christmas Eve, Scott accidentally volunteers to be the new Santa, then spends the following year undergoing a magical transformation into jolly old St. Nick.

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*Availability in US Director John Pasquin Writers Steve Rudnick , Leo Benvenuti Cast Wendy Crewson , Judge Reinhold , David Krumholtz , Eric Lloyd , Tim Allen Release Date November 11, 1994 Runtime 97 minutes Sequel(s) The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause , The Santa Clause 2 Budget $22 million Expand
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While The Santa Clause is not directly related to Red One, arguably Santa Claus movies would not be what they are today without The Santa Clause. Tim Allen’s Scott Calvin accidentally takes over the role of Santa when he puts on the Santa suit one Christmas Eve, leading to chaos in his personal life and at the North Pole. Similar to how Johnson’s Callum comes to Santa’s rescue in Red One, the elves in The Santa Clause form a task force to break Scott Calvin out of jail when he is arrested, creating another clever parallel.

imagery-from-Red-One-4 Related Red One Is A Worse Version Of A Classic Disney Christmas Movie

Red One seems to be giving an all-new look at the world of Christmas, but this Disney Christmas classic already beat The Rock to the punch.

Just as Red One changed Santa and his helpers to fit in a more modern context, The Santa Claus revamped Santa for the 1990s and became a Christmas classic in the process. The Santa Clause is the perfect Santa-themed follow-up to Red One, and really any other Christmas movie too.

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1 Die Hard (1988)

The Original Christmas Action Movie

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10/10 Die Hard RActionThriller

During a holiday party, NYPD detective John McClane’s wife’s workplace is hijacked by German terrorists led by evil icon Hans Gruber. McClane (Bruce Willis), evades capture and fights to save hostages, including his wife, and foil Gruber’s elaborate heist initially without weapons, shoes, or a shirt.

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*Availability in US Director John McTiernan Writers Roderick Thorp , Jeb Stuart , Steven E. de Souza Cast Bruce Willis , Bonnie Bedelia , Reginald VelJohnson , Paul Gleason , William Atherton , Hart Bochner Runtime 132 minutes Budget $28 million

Die Hard is definitively a Christmas movie, and a classic one at that, so it is only fitting that the action classic would pair well with Red One‘s humorous new take on a holiday action movie. Though Die Hard might not be considered a comedy in the same way as Red One, it has its own humorous moments wrapped up in a tense battle between a New York cop and a group of terrorists in a skyscraper. When his wife’s Christmas party is hijacked, John McClane steps in to save the day, taking out his opponents one at a time.

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Many modern action movies have found inspiration in Die Hard, and the movie’s cultural importance is massive. Even a Christmas action movie such as Red One, which includes its own unique magical elements, owes a legacy to Die Hard, making the film a must-watch for anyone who hasn’t seen it. While Red One is certainly an exciting new addition to the Christmas genre, the recommendations in this list are a variety of great choices for fans to expand their watch lists even further and maybe even find a new favorite.

Red One 2024 Film Poster

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ScreenRant logo 3/10 16 8.3/10 Red One PG-13ActionAdventureComedyFantasy

After Santa Claus is kidnapped, the North Pole’s Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with a notorious bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a thrilling, globe-spanning mission to save Christmas. This action-packed holiday adventure mixes comedy and festive magic, with an ensemble cast that includes Lucy Liu and J.K. Simmons.

Director Jake Kasdan Writers Chris Morgan , Hiram Garcia Cast Dwayne Johnson , Chris Evans , J.K. Simmons , Lucy Liu , Kiernan Shipka , Bonnie Hunt , Kristofer Hivju , Nick Kroll , Wesley Kimmel , Mary Elizabeth Ellis , Wyatt Hunt , Lanz Duffy , Marc Evan Jackson , Ashleigh Domangue , Cody Easterbrook , Jon Rudnitsky , Morla Gorrondona , Jenna Kanell , Rod Maxwell , Fedor Steer , Octavia Grace , Matthew Zuk , Cora Kass , Ahmad Ghafouri , Jeff Chase Release Date November 15, 2024 Runtime 123 Minutes Expand