DC’s Clayface Horror Movie Officially Goes Head-to-Head With Major Releases

Clayface leads the weekend

James Watkins’ Clayface is entering theaters with Halloween approaching and a campaign described as buzzy and creepy. The DC supervillain origin story stars Tom Rhys Harries as the shape-shifting Matt Hagen, with Naomi Ackie, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan also in the cast.

The film brought in $3.5 million in Thursday previews. Its opening is projected to reach $45 million to $55 million globally, a figure expected to suit its leaner budget.

Wildwood draws strong reviews

Laika’s stop-motion fantasy Wildwood adapts the 2011 children’s novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis. Despite the studio’s reputation, the film is expected to earn $6 million to $8 million domestically, a disappointing start against its reported $100 million budget. Reviews have been markedly positive: Wildwood holds a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score from 99 critic reviews, while audience ratings stand at 98%.

Klara faces a tough opening

Taika Waititi has returned to theaters with Klara and the Sun, adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel and starring Jenna Ortega. The release follows Waititi’s 2023 sports comedy Next Goal Wins, which featured Michael Fassbender. Klara and the Sun has a 24% score from reviewers and is projected to earn about $2 million this weekend.

Documentary challenges the films

The three releases may also be overtaken by You Can See Everything, a documentary about Elizabeth Holmes from Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim. The surprise contender is in its second weekend after taking in $15.6 million. The weekend brings together a DC horror story, a literary adaptation and a stop-motion fantasy, with the documentary adding another competitor for audiences.