How strange is it to see a Dwayne Johnson-led film opening to such low numbers? Sure, many screens this weekend are dominated by Taylor Swift, but that hardly explains why “The Smashing Machine” earned just $800K in Thursday previews. This one looks like a a box office bomb.
Early estimates from Deadline hinted at a $20M opening, but current trends suggest that number might actually be what it makes by the end of its domestic run. We’re now looking at a single-digits opening ($8M) against a reported $50–60M budget, which would be a tough pill for both Johnson and A24 to swallow.
For Johnson, whose track record has made him one of the most reliable draws in Hollywood, this is a major dent. Meanwhile, A24, never a studio known for blockbuster muscle, is having a particularly rough stretch. “Materialists” remains their lone bona fide hit this year, leaving ‘Smashing Machine’ to carry a weight it likely wasn’t built to bear
Up next for A24 is the most expensive movie in their short history, the $90M “Marty Supreme,” which has been slotted for a prime Christmas Day release. That one has the benefit of having Timothee Chalamet as its lead, but will need strong reviews if it wants to make its money back.
Cory Finley, a talented filmmaker, has directed three films so far: "Thoroughbreds" (2017), "Bad Education” (2020), and "Landscape with Invisible Hand.”