Red One 2 (2026) bursts back onto the screen with the same chaotic, high-octane energy that made the first film a surprise holiday hit, but this time it takes the festive action-adventure formula to an even more outrageous level. Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Callum Drift, the no-nonsense commander of the North Pole’s elite security force, while Chris Evans returns as Jack O’Malley, the sarcastic ex–Black Ops soldier who now finds himself reluctantly caught up once again in saving Christmas — and perhaps the entire world. Directed by Jake Kasdan, the sequel pushes the boundaries of holiday fantasy, blending myth, mayhem, and heart with a bigger budget and bolder ambitions.

The film opens a year after the events of the original, with the North Pole rebuilt and peace seemingly restored. But when a mysterious artifact known as the “Crimson Star” is stolen from Santa’s Vault, it triggers a chain of cosmic events that threaten to erase Christmas from existence. Callum Drift, ever the soldier, assembles a new task force to retrieve the artifact before it falls into the hands of a rogue organization determined to harness its power. Jack O’Malley, now living a quiet life far from the chaos, is reluctantly pulled back into the fray after discovering that his old enemy, Krampus, may have returned from the shadows.

What follows is a wild globe-trotting adventure that feels part Mission: Impossible, part Guardians of the Galaxy, and part holiday fever dream. The duo travels from the icy ruins of the North Pole to the neon streets of Tokyo and the jungles of South America, uncovering ancient secrets about the origins of Santa’s power. Along the way, they encounter a new ally — a rebellious elf named Lyra, played with scene-stealing charisma by Ana de Armas — who may hold the key to stopping the Crimson Star’s destructive magic. The chemistry between Johnson, Evans, and de Armas gives the film its emotional and comedic edge, balancing the explosions with genuine heart.

Visually, Red One 2 dazzles with its blend of magical realism and blockbuster spectacle. The action sequences are absurdly entertaining — sleigh chases through city skylines, candy cane shootouts, and even a fight scene inside a toy factory turned war zone. Yet, beneath the chaos, the movie never loses sight of its core themes: belief, redemption, and the power of unity. Jack’s cynical worldview contrasts sharply with Drift’s unwavering faith, and their dynamic once again drives the emotional backbone of the story.

As the plot builds toward its explosive finale, the stakes feel both cosmic and personal. The ultimate showdown pits the heroes against a resurrected Krampus, now infused with the Crimson Star’s dark energy, in a battle that tests their courage and loyalty. The climax, set against the collapsing Northern Lights, delivers the kind of larger-than-life action that audiences expect — but it’s the quieter moments that truly shine, as the characters confront their past failures and rediscover what they’re fighting for.

In the end, Red One 2 succeeds not because it reinvents the genre, but because it embraces its ridiculous premise with sincerity and style. It’s unapologetically over-the-top, but also surprisingly heartfelt — a rare mix of adrenaline, humor, and holiday warmth. By expanding its mythos while deepening its characters, the sequel cements Red One as a franchise built not just on spectacle, but on the enduring belief that even the wildest heroes can save Christmas — again.