DC’s ‘Clayface’ Tracking for a $20 Million Opening as Presales Lag Behind ‘Resident Evil’

DC Studios is heading into Halloween season with its most unconventional release yet. ‘Clayface’, the R-rated body-horror film centered on the cult Batman villain, trades the usual superhero spectacle for a stripped-down, character-driven scare fest.

Directed by James Watkins and starring Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, the film marks the third theatrical release of the DCU, following ‘Superman’ and ‘Supergirl’. It hits North American theaters on October 23, with international markets opening on October 21.

With just 2 weeks to go, fresh presale data is offering a new glimpse at how the film might perform. Box office tracker TheFlatLannister, whose analysis was shared on Reddit’s r/boxoffice from the Box Office Theory forums, reported that ‘Clayface’ is pacing 66% behind ‘Resident Evil’ for opening weekend at the MTC3 theater chain, which would translate to roughly a $20 million debut.

That figure lands at the lower end of earlier projections. Boxoffice Pro’s long-range forecast placed the film between $23 million and $33 million for its domestic opening weekend.

Box Office Theory’s own earlier tracking had pointed to a range of $20 million to $26 million. Taken together, the forecasts suggest an opening somewhere in the low-to-mid $20 million range. The comparison to ‘Resident Evil’ is telling, as the film has been one of several horror hits in 2026. ‘Clayface’ is hoping to ride that same wave of genre enthusiasm.

The first trailer for Zach Cregger’s ‘RESIDENT EVIL’ has been released. In theaters on September 18. https://t.co/eeVCAGzy6M

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On paper, a $20 million opening might look underwhelming for a DC film. However, ‘Clayface’ was reportedly made for around $40 million, a far smaller budget than a typical superhero tentpole.

Estimates for its break-even point vary, with some outlets suggesting roughly $80 million to $100 million worldwide. Others place the threshold between $100 million and $120 million once theatrical, VOD, and streaming windows are factored in.

Either way, the lower cost gives Warner Bros. far more breathing room. Even a moderate debut could set the film up for long-term profitability. Earlier tracking revealed an interesting quirk. ‘Clayface’ reportedly sat at just 32% awareness, but among those aware of the film, 21% said they planned to see it on opening weekend.

The final trailer for DC’s ‘CLAYFACE’ has been released. In theaters on October 23. https://t.co/ecTMB97Sto

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 24, 2026

That suggests a dedicated core audience but limited reach beyond it. Boxoffice Pro noted the film will likely need a strong campaign or positive word of mouth to break through. Launching a body-horror spinoff right before Halloween gives the film a seasonal advantage.

Weekday sales are projected to add 35% to 50% of the opening weekend total, potentially pushing the first full week to between $34 million and $48 million. ‘Clayface’ will face competition from ‘Wildwood’, which also opens October 23 and is tracking at $10 million to $15 million.

The film’s opening has also been compared to the $67 million debut of ‘Black Adam’, another late-October supervillain spinoff. The film has faced online skepticism, with some fans questioning why DC is prioritizing a secondary villain. DC Studios co-chief James Gunn has pushed back on those doubts on social media.

The cast also includes Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan, with Matt Reeves among the producers. Whether ‘Clayface’ validates Gunn’s riskier creative strategy will become clear once audiences weigh in.

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