DC Studios’ new movie "Clayface" is set to hit theaters on October 23, 2026, but its North American box office outlook is already raising concerns following the start of advance ticket sales. According to tracking posted on the box office forum "Box Office Theory", the film is pacing roughly 80% behind "Supergirl" at the same point in its sales cycle. That DCU entry opened in June 2026 with $38 million, making "Clayface" the franchise’s weakest preseller so far.
However, "Supergirl" is a PG-13 superhero movie, while "Clayface" is an R-rated body-horror feature aimed at a different audience.
A closer genre comparison is Zach Cregger’s "Resident Evil," but "Clayface" is still trailing that movie’s same-stage presales by roughly 66%. With both horror films targeting a more similar audience, the gap offers a more telling benchmark. Current tracking suggests "Clayface" could open below $20 million in North America, although advance sales do not always reflect a movie’s final performance.
"Clayface" reportedly carries a production budget of around $40 million, with marketing costs estimated at another $30 million. Some outlets calculate that the film may need to approach $100 million worldwide to break even. If its domestic opening fails to gain momentum, it will depend more heavily on international markets and strong holds in the weeks after release, particularly if positive audience word of mouth can drive additional ticket sales.
James Watkins directed the film from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. Tom Rhys Harries stars, while Matt Reeves, James Gunn and Peter Safran are among the producers.
The story follows Matt Hagen, a Gotham City native whose rise to Hollywood stardom is cut short when a crime boss leaves him horribly disfigured. Abandoned by his team, Hagen undergoes a cutting-edge treatment that restores his appearance but gradually destroys his grip on reality, sending him down a path of uncontrollable revenge.
Following "Supergirl’s" disappointing box office performance, subsequent DCU releases are facing growing commercial pressure. Whether "Clayface" can overcome its sluggish presales through strong reviews, audience buzz and international ticket sales will be closely watched. Should "Man of Tomorrow" also fail to deliver substantial returns, the DCU’s future production strategy could face another reassessment.
via： CBM