Clayface has done what its R rating suggested it might not: topped the box office. IGN reports an estimated global opening of $43 million, about $24 million domestically and $19 million overseas. For a DCU film that gave fans reason to worry about tone, it’s a solid start, and a long way from the summer’s Supergirl wobble.
The numbers matter mostly because of what the film cost. IGN cites Variety’s reported $44 million budget, so the weekend alone nearly covers it, though that figure excludes marketing and studios keep only part of ticket sales. TheWrap puts the production spend at around $40 million and calls the film a likely “solid mid-budget success” for Warner Bros., which it says hasn’t had a release top $250 million worldwide this year. IGN’s count puts Supergirl‘s cost at almost $200 million, against the $126.46 million it gathered (via Box Office Mojo) across its run.
A hard R, and a good reception
Clayface follows Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), who tries to rebuild his life after an attack scars his face. Directed by James Watkins from a script by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, it’s the darkest film James Gunn and Peter Safran’s universe has produced so far. Some fans doubted it could share a world with the brighter Superman, but audiences have responded: IGN notes a 75% critics and 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, plus an A- CinemaScore. IGN’s own review gave it 7/10, and we covered the film’s gross new trailer before release.
In a post on Threads, Gunn, co-chairman of DC Studios, called the score a rarity for horror. He said “Sinners is the only horror movie to have EVER gotten an A CinemaScore,” and credited Obsession, Weapons and now Clayface with the only A- grades in recent years. According to IGN, good word of mouth plus Halloween falling next weekend gives the film a reasonable chance of a decent second frame.
The rest of the chart
Second place went to Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim’s Elizabeth Holmes documentary You Can See Everything. IGN says it added $19.5 million in its second weekend, a 25% rise on its limited debut, helped by about 1,800 additional theatres. TheWrap reports the same $19.5 million but gives the increase as 23%, and says the film has now grossed $45 million domestically.
IGN reports that Laika’s Wildwood opened third with $11.77 million. That beats projections for the Coraline studio but sits well below its reported $100 million budget, despite a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8/10 from IGN. Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård’s Wicker followed with a $5.75 million domestic opening.
In the UAE
According to Dubai Standard, Clayface has played in UAE cinemas since 22 October, a day before its US release. VOX Cinemas lists showtimes across several formats, including MAX and Gold. We haven’t found local box office figures.
Is Clayface a hit yet?
Not yet. The $43 million opening nearly matches the reported $44 million production budget, but marketing costs and the studio’s share of ticket sales mean profitability depends on the coming weekends, starting with Halloween.
Is Clayface showing in the UAE?
Yes. Dubai Standard says it opened in Emirates cinemas on 22 October, and VOX Cinemas lists current showtimes. Check your cinema’s listing for format and times.
Is Clayface a horror film or a superhero film?
It’s both. The DCU entry is a hard-R body horror story about Batman villain Matt Hagen’s origin, with the tone and graphic content to match.
