The James Watkins-directed feature, based on the iconic Batman villain but presented as a standalone narrative, is generating considerable buzz. Industry forecasts suggest "Clayface" could achieve a domestic opening weekend between $20 million and $25 million. Should it reach the higher end of that estimate, it would secure the newly formed Paramount-Warner Bros. entity its second consecutive number one box office debut, following the success of last weekend's "Street Fighter," which opened to $31 million.
"Clayface" began its preview screenings earlier on Thursday, quickly demonstrating its appeal to audiences. Its initial haul surpasses the $2 million earned by Sony/Marvel's R-rated "Kraven the Hunter" in previews and is not far behind the pre-COVID DC spinoff "Birds of Prey," which garnered $4 million before its $33 million opening. When compared to recent horror titles, "Clayface" holds its own, aligning closely with Blumhouse Atomic Monster’s "Other Mommy," which saw $3.6 million in previews before a $27.8 million opening, and outperforming 2022’s "Smile" ($2 million previews, $22.6 million opening).
The film, a vision brought to life by DC Studios co-CEOs Peter Safran and James Gunn, represents a deliberate pivot towards mid-budget genre films within the DC universe. With a net production cost of $44 million before marketing and distribution expenses, and filmed in the UK, "Clayface" centers on Matt Hagen, a rising Hollywood actor whose ambition leads to a fateful encounter, transforming his face and destiny. The screenplay, penned by Mike Flanagan in December 2024, reportedly captivated Gunn and Safran, fast-tracking the project to production.
Critics have largely responded positively to "Clayface," with the film currently holding a 76% "certified fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This critical reception places it favorably among recent DC releases, outscoring "The Flash" (63%), "Supergirl" (52%), "Joker Folie a Deux" (31%), "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" (49%), and James Wan’s "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" (33%). It nearly matches the critical acclaim of "Birds of Prey," which achieved a 79% certified fresh score.
This foray into lower-to-mid-sized budgets isn't entirely new territory for DC. Historically, the studio has explored similar ventures, such as 2010's "The Losers," which had a $25 million production cost and opened to $9.4 million. Another example is the 2005 adaptation of the DC Vertigo title, "V for Vendetta," which, with a $50 million production cost, debuted at number one with $25.6 million in North America, ultimately grossing $134.7 million globally. These precedents highlight a strategic flexibility that "Clayface" now embodies.
As "Clayface" heads into its full opening weekend, all eyes will also be on the hold of A24's documentary "You Can See Everything," which performed strongly midweek after a $15.6 million opening last weekend and is expanding to 2,600 locations. Meanwhile, Laika’s stop-motion animated film "Wildwood," released by Fathom, also saw previews around $1 million, boosted by its 100% certified fresh critical score. However, the initial success of "Clayface" sets a promising tone for DC's evolving cinematic landscape and its commitment to diverse storytelling approaches.