'Clayface' draws $3.5 million in previews as weekend estimates vary
DC's "Clayface" earned an estimated $3.5 million-plus in Thursday previews, Deadline reported; weekend projections run from $20 million to $30 million domestic. These are early estimates: Sunday studio estimates come Oct. 25 and Monday actuals Oct. 26.
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What happened
Warner Bros.' "Clayface" took in an estimated $3.5 million-plus from Thursday previews that began at 2 p.m., Deadline reported. All numbers here are estimates; Sunday studio estimates (Oct. 25) and Monday actuals (Oct. 26) come later.
Why it matters
Previews are the first read on whether a film plays beyond its core fans. Deadline's comparisons include "Birds of Prey" ($4 million in previews, $33 million opening), "Smile" ($2 million, $22.6 million) and "Kraven the Hunter" ($2 million, $11 million). Last weekend "Street Fighter" opened at $31 million.
More context
The projections: Deadline's forecast is $20 million to $25 million domestically for the weekend. Warner Bros. projects $25 million to $30 million from more than 3,400 theaters plus $20 million to $25 million internationally, The Hollywood Reporter said. Deadline put the film's net production cost at $44 million.
Reviews: Deadline cited a 76% Rotten Tomatoes score; THR's figure was 75%, and scores can shift as more reviews come in.
The competition: A24's Elizabeth Holmes documentary "You Can See Everything" expands from 855 theaters, where it opened to about $15.6 million (Deadline), to roughly 2,600; THR projects at least $18 million. Laika's "Wildwood" had about $1 million in previews and plays 2,926 theaters with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, THR reported. Other openers include "Klara and the Sun," "Ali G: Who Iz I?" and "Wicker."
How outlets framed it: Deadline leaned on preview comparisons to gauge the opening; THR emphasized Warner Bros.' higher projection and set it against "Supergirl," which opened to $37.1 million.
What's still unknown: Whether "Clayface" holds up through Saturday or is front-loaded with fans, and where it lands against the $20 million–$30 million range.
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Editorial sourcing notes
Sourcing: Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter for preview estimates and projections. All figures are Friday-morning estimates or projections, not final grosses. Sunday studio estimates (Oct. 25) and Monday actuals (Oct. 26) may differ. Photo is a 2019 file image of the Warner Bros. lot, not a promotional still.
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