The Clayface movie box office numbers are in, and DC Studios has a surprise hit on its hands. Made for a lean $40 million, the R-rated horror film opened at number one in North America with $24 million and pulled in about $43 million worldwide in its first weekend. No wonder “clayface movie box office” jumped more than 400% on Google searches in Pakistan this week.
So what is Clayface, why is everyone talking about it, and when can you watch it in Pakistan? Here is everything you need to know, from the opening weekend numbers to the reviews, the cast, the runtime and what comes next.
Clayface Movie Box Office: Opening Weekend Numbers
Clayface was released in the United States on 23 October 2026 by Warner Bros. and took the top spot at the domestic box office straight away, according to Deadline. Here is how the numbers stack up so far.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| US and Canada opening weekend | $24 million (No. 1) |
| Global opening weekend | About $43 million |
| Production budget | About $40 million |
| Opening theatres (US) | 3,458 |
| CinemaScore | A- |
| PostTrak audience score | 4.5 out of 5 |
Sources: TheWrap and The Numbers. The Numbers lists a running worldwide total of around $46.5 million, which includes early international releases.
Is the Clayface Movie Box Office Run a Hit?
For a superhero film, $24 million is not a giant opening. However, Clayface was never meant to be a giant. Its budget is a fraction of a typical comic book blockbuster, and as a result it has almost earned back its production cost worldwide in a single weekend.
In addition, the strong A- CinemaScore is a good sign. Horror films often score poorly with audiences on opening night, so an A- suggests positive word of mouth. That usually means a gentler drop in the second weekend, especially with Halloween arriving right after release. In fact, Warner Bros. moved the film from September to October specifically to take advantage of the Halloween season.
Moreover, it beat some tough competition. A24’s You Can See Everything rose 23% in its second weekend to $19.5 million, while Laika’s Wildwood opened with $11.6 million. Meanwhile, Street Fighter dropped 72% in its second weekend to $8.6 million.
What Is the Clayface Movie About?
Clayface tells the origin story of one of Batman’s oldest villains, but do not expect capes and gadgets. This is a body horror film first and a superhero film second.
The story follows Matt Hagen, a rising movie star whose face is brutally disfigured. Desperate to get his looks and career back, he volunteers as a test subject for an experimental treatment. Unfortunately, the side effects are far worse than anything he imagined, and his body slowly turns into living clay that he cannot fully control.
DC Studios co-head Peter Safran has compared the tone to David Cronenberg’s The Fly (1986), and said the film would not be campy. Instead, it is a dark, grounded and often gory tragedy about vanity, identity and losing yourself.
Who Is Clayface? A Quick Comic Book History
Clayface is one of the oldest villains in Batman’s world. The first Clayface, a failed horror actor named Basil Karlo, appeared in Detective Comics #40 in 1940, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. Back then, he was simply a killer in a mask, with no shape-shifting powers at all.
The version in the new movie, Matt Hagen, arrived in Detective Comics #298 in 1961. Hagen was the first Clayface who could actually reshape his body, and that idea stuck. Since then, several characters have carried the name, and the villain has appeared in cartoons, video games and the hit 1990s Batman: The Animated Series, where many fans first met him.
What makes Clayface so interesting is that he is often a tragic figure rather than a pure villain. He is usually an actor obsessed with his looks and fame, and his powers become a curse rather than a gift. Therefore, the character is a natural fit for a horror film about vanity and identity.
Clayface Cast and Crew
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Tom Rhys Harries | Matt Hagen / Clayface |
| Naomi Ackie | Dr. Caitlin Corr, a fringe scientist |
| Max Minghella | John Borelli, a Gotham City detective |
| David Dencik, Eddie Marsan, Nancy Carroll | Supporting roles |
| James Watkins | Director |
| Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini | Screenplay (story by Flanagan) |
| Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn, Peter Safran | Producers |
Of course, horror fans will recognise Mike Flanagan from The Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep. He wrote the original story but had to step away from directing because of scheduling conflicts. Director James Watkins, known for Speak No Evil (2024) and The Woman in Black, took over. Full credits are on IMDb and Wikipedia.
Clayface Movie Duration, Rating and Release Date
- Runtime: 108 minutes (1 hour 48 minutes)
- Rating: R for strong bloody violence, gore, language, some nudity and brief drug use
- US release date: 23 October 2026
- Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
- Filming: August to November 2025 in Liverpool and Wallasey, England, and at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden
Because of the R rating, however, this is not a film for children. Parents planning a family movie night should pick something lighter.
Clayface Reviews and the Movie Box Office Word of Mouth
Reviews have been mixed to positive. When the first reviews landed, Rotten Tomatoes showed a 75% Tomatometer score from critics and a much higher 94% Popcornmeter score from audiences.
What critics loved:
- Tom Rhys Harries’ performance, which almost every critic singled out for its emotion and physical commitment under heavy makeup.
- Naomi Ackie’s grounded, conflicted character and dry humour.
- Bold, practical body horror effects that feel genuinely unsettling.
- A small, standalone story that feels fresh compared with typical superhero films.
What critics did not like:
- An uneven script with some stiff dialogue and familiar story beats.
- Inconsistent visual effects, with some CGI moments falling flat.
- A generic-looking Gotham and an ending that some felt was rushed.
In short, if you enjoy horror, you will probably have a great time. On the other hand, if you want a classic Batman-style action movie, this may not be what you expect.
Where Clayface Fits in the DC Universe
Clayface is the third film in the new DC Universe, part of what James Gunn and Peter Safran call Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. Interestingly, the story is set before Superman (2025) and before the animated series Creature Commandos, where a version of the same character appeared.
That makes Clayface a self-contained story. You do not need to have seen any other DC film to follow it, which is good news for casual viewers.
Should You Watch the Clayface Movie After Its Box Office Debut?
If you like horror, the answer is an easy yes. Clayface delivers genuine scares, memorable practical effects and a lead performance that critics keep praising. Similarly, if you enjoy films like The Fly or The Substance, you will feel right at home.
However, if you are squeamish or looking for a family-friendly superhero adventure, it is better to skip this one. The gore is intense, and the story is closer to a tragedy than a crowd-pleaser.
Clayface Movie Box Office and Release in Pakistan
At the time of writing, Pakistani cinema chains have not confirmed a local release date for Clayface. Hollywood horror titles often reach Pakistan within a few weeks of their US release, subject to local censor board approval, and the film’s strong gore and R rating could affect that process.
Keep an eye on Cinepax, Nueplex, Universal Cinemas and Super Cinema listings in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Meanwhile, if you are in the mood for horror right now, check out our guide to Cahim 2 in Pakistan, or catch the twisty thriller Verity, which is already showing in Pakistani cinemas.
Clayface Movie FAQ
What Is the Clayface Movie Box Office Total So Far?
Clayface opened with $24 million in North America and about $43 million worldwide in its first weekend, against a production budget of about $40 million.
What Is the Clayface Movie Duration?
The film runs for 108 minutes, or 1 hour and 48 minutes.
Who Plays Clayface?
Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen, the actor who becomes Clayface.
Is Clayface Suitable for Kids?
No. It is rated R for strong bloody violence, gore, language, some nudity and brief drug use.
Is Batman in the Clayface Movie?
The film is set in Gotham City and focuses on Matt Hagen’s transformation. It is marketed as a standalone horror story rather than a Batman film.
Final Verdict on the Clayface Movie Box Office
Clayface proves that a superhero studio does not need a $200 million budget to top the charts. With a strong opening, an A- CinemaScore and Halloween on its side, the Clayface movie box office run could stretch well into November. Above all, it is a bold experiment for DC, and if it keeps performing, expect more small, director-driven films from the DC Universe.
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