The lower-budget DC release "Clayface" got off to an encouraging domestic start, pulling in an estimated $3.5 million or more during Thursday preview screenings that began at 2 p.m. Guided under the DC film leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran, the villain-centric project is pacing toward an estimated opening weekend total between $20 million and $25 million across North American theaters.
Should weekend tracking hold firm, the movie will hand the newly combined Paramount-Warner Bros entity its second straight domestic box office winner. That potential victory follows the chart-topping debut of "Street Fighter," which launched with $31 million during the previous weekend frame. "Clayface" is also looking at an estimated worldwide total eyeing upwards of $45 million.
Comparative Box Office Preview and Opening Weekend Grosses
| Title | Preview Gross | Opening Weekend Gross |
|---|---|---|
| Clayface | $3.5M+ | Forecast: $20M-$25M |
| Birds of Prey | $4.0M | $33.0M |
| Other Mommy | $3.6M | $27.8M |
| Smile | $2.0M | $22.6M |
| Kraven the Hunter | $2.0M | $11.0M |
| Digger | $1.2M | $8.0M |
Production Roots and Creative Direction
Directed by James Watkins, the production operates as a standalone narrative spun out from the classic Batman antagonist lore. The film centers on Matt Hagen, an aspiring Hollywood actor played by Tom Rhys Harries, whose path takes a ruinous turn after crossing paths with the wrong person at an industry party, ultimately costing him his face.
The project originated from a screenplay penned by Mike Flanagan in December 2024, which quickly gained momentum after capturing the support of Gunn and Safran. Produced in the United Kingdom, the mid-tier genre title carried a disciplined net production budget of $44 million prior to print and advertising expenses.
Box Office Comparisons and Critical Standing
The Thursday preview figures place "Clayface" ahead of several comparable genre projects while remaining within striking distance of notable DC predecessors. The $3.5 million preview tally surpassed Sony and Marvel's R-rated "Kraven the Hunter," which collected $2 million in previews before a soft $11 million debut, and edged ahead of horror hits like "Smile" ($2 million previews, $22.6 million debut) and "Digger" ($1.2 million previews, $8 million debut). The preview performance sat roughly in line with Blumhouse and Atomic Monster's "Other Mommy," which took $3.6 million in early shows on its way to a $27.8 million opening, and ran slightly behind 2020's "Birds of Prey" ($4 million previews, $33 million launch).
Critically, the Watkins-directed feature entered the market with wind at its back, carrying a 76% "certified fresh" critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. That score stands noticeably higher than several past DC releases, including "The Flash" at 63%, "Supergirl" at 52%, "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" at 49%, "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" at 33%, and "Joker: Folie à Deux" at 31%, while landing near the 79% achieved by "Birds of Prey."
Historical Context for Mid-Budget DC Features
Venturing into mid-budget territory represents a return to a specific historical lane for DC screen adaptations. While massive tentpoles dominate current superhero slates, past decades have seen varied box office fortunes for lower-cost DC and Vertigo properties. In 2005, the Wachowski-adapted "V for Vendetta" debuted at No. 1 with $25.6 million off a $50 million production budget, eventually finishing with $70.5 million domestically and $134.7 million globally.
Other historical efforts saw tougher theatrical terrain. The 2010 Vertigo action entry "The Losers" cost $25 million to produce before marketing, bowing to $9.4 million and completing its domestic run at $23.5 million. Later that same year, the fantasy western "Jonah Hex," which starred Josh Brolin and Megan Fox, failed to recoup its $47 million production spend, managing only a $5.3 million launch and a final domestic return of $10.5 million.
Market Competition and Upcoming Outlook
As the weekend unfolds, theatrical distributors will monitor whether "Clayface" remains front-loaded or sustains momentum against diverse counter-programming. Chief competition includes A24's hit documentary "You Can See Everything," directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim. Centering on Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, the film grossed $2.3 million on Wednesday following a strong $15.6 million debut weekend, expanding wide to 2,600 domestic locations.
Simultaneously, Fathom's release of the Laika stop-motion animated film "Wildwood," directed by Travis Knight, secured approximately $1 million in preview screenings. That animated project heads into the weekend seeking a double-digit premiere, supported by universal critical praise including a 100% Rotten Tomatoes critics mark and a 98% audience rating. Distribution sources will supply official weekend figures as box office returns solidify.
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Source: Deadline
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