DC’s new horror-tinged film Clayface took the top spot at the US box office over its opening weekend. The roughly $24 million haul is an important data point both for the film’s first step and for the autumn season’s box-office balance. Here is what the numbers mean, how the film was received and what to expect in the coming weeks.
The opening numbers
The film opened in 3,458 US theaters and made about $24 million. The studio’s forecast for the weekend was $25 to $30 million, so the result landed slightly under expectations. Roughly $19 million more came from international markets, bringing the worldwide opening to about $43 million.
How it won the weekend
Clayface won by a whisker. The documentary You Can See Everything, in its second weekend after a strong start, took second place with about $19.5 million, very close behind. Third place went to the stop-motion fantasy Wildwood. So the weekend was less about one giant release and more about three very different films sharing the chart.
What critics and audiences said
Opening-day audiences gave the film an A- CinemaScore, a strong grade for a mix of horror and comic-book adaptation. Among critics it holds about 76 percent positive and a “fresh” rating. Together, the two signals suggest the film connected with viewers in its first wave of reaction.
What happens next
The A- grade suggests word of mouth could help the film. On the other hand, big releases such as Wild Horse Nine and, later, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will share screens in the first weeks of November. Clayface’s second-weekend drop will decide its long-term run.
Frequently asked questions
How much did Clayface make in its opening weekend? About $24 million in the US and about $43 million worldwide.
What is its CinemaScore? A-.
What is the critics score? About 76 percent positive.
Which film came second? You Can See Everything.
Note: figures are weekend estimates and may shift slightly as they are finalised.
