DC’s body-horror gamble has paid off at the box office. Clayface, released on October 23, 2026, opened at No. 1 with a projected weekend of $23-25 million from 3,458 theatres, after earning $9.5 million on Friday including $3.5 million in Thursday previews.
The R-rated film, directed by James Watkins, stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, alongside Ruby Sear, Naomi Ackie, Eddie Marsan and Max Minghella. Made for a reported $44 million, it is tracking toward roughly $50 million worldwide for its opening weekend.
What sets the opening apart is the audience response. Clayface earned an A- CinemaScore — unusually high for a horror film — alongside a 76% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes across 149 reviews and a 94% verified audience score.
The strong start gives DC an unexpected horror hit and suggests the character’s grotesque, shape-shifting premise connected with audiences far beyond comic-book fans.
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Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.