Red includes many characters from Christmas legends and traditions, but there’s a good reason it’s missing one iconic character. The 2024 Christmas movie revolves around the plot of Dwayne Johnson’s Callum Drift, the leader of the ELF, to find Santa Claus after he was kidnapped by Gryla, the Christmas witch. This storyline allows many monsters and mythological beings to appear in Red besides Saint Nicholas and the wicked witch. The film involves Santa’s cold-hearted brother, Krampus, and alludes to a broader world of mythical creatures and folklore characters.
The effect of RedThe world-building means that there are a wide variety of characters from the Christmas season and beyond that exist in this world. Even though they are not shown, the potential existence of Bigfoot and the Lochness Monster is teased. There are even trolls, talking polar bears, and penguins who work for Santa Claus, while hellhounds and a mix of additional myths are seen in relation to Krampus. In keeping with Christmas tradition, Santa’s reindeer are included until Redthe ending of – although arguably the most iconic of all is missing.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is not part of Santa’s reindeer in Red One
Rudolph is a Christmas movie icon
Santa’s reindeer are featured throughout Red in a small capacity, but Rudolph is noticeably absent. In each case where reindeer appear on screen, there are eight of them. While Red never bothers to name each of the giant flying animals, familiarity with Christmas tradition makes their identities clear. The reindeer that appear are obviously Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.
Even without naming the reindeer, there are telltale signs that Red does not include Rodolfo. None of the reindeer have Rudolph’s recognizable bright red nose.. There are also only eight of them at all times, but Rudolph is always shown as the ninth member leading the group. Considering how iconic Rudolph’s presence is in the realm of Christmas movies dating back to 1964 Rudolph the red-nosed reindeerthe fact that he is missing Red entirely will certainly seem like a strange decision at first.
Red One was unable to include Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer due to copyright
The reindeer could not legally appear
The reason why Rudolph isn’t Red It boils down to the fact that the character is copyrighted. Character Arts, LLC owns the copyright to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer due to the nature of the character’s creation (via Creative Law Center). Whereas Santa’s other reindeer are public domain and creations of Clement Clarke Moore from his 1823 poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas,” Rudolph wasn’t created until 1939. His first appearance came in a coloring book created by Robert L. May. Rudolph’s popularity soared following the music of Johnny Marks and Gene Autry, leading to his first film appearance in 1964.
Due to Rudolph’s copyright, the iconic red-nosed reindeer does not appear in most Christmas films. 1964 stop-motion animated film/TV special Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer it was his debutand he came back for the sequels Rudolph’s Bright New Year and Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July. He had several other minor appearances, including a cameo in Doctor Whobut that’s it. Red joins the list of Christmas films as Elf and Santa Claus this unfortunately could not use Rudolph.
Source: Creative Law Center