‘Clayface’ Earns a Strong Letterboxd Debut That Puts It Among DC’s Best This Decade

DC Studios has taken a big gamble with its first full-blown horror movie, and the early ‘Clayface’ Letterboxd rating suggests audiences are buying in. Directed by James Watkins from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, the R-rated film follows Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, a rising star disfigured by a crime boss who turns to a dangerous treatment to restore his looks.

James Gunn has described the project as a true horror film, and producer Matt Reeves framed it as a revenge story too. The film arrives in theaters on October 23, the last DC movie before ‘Man of Tomorrow’ next July.

Now, the film has received an encouraging early grade from movie fans. According to Global Box Office, ‘Clayface’ debuted with an impressive 3.7 out of 5 on Letterboxd, a healthy start for a horror movie.

That score places it in rare company for DC. Global Box Office noted it ranks as the third best-rated DC film this decade, trailing only ‘The Batman’ at 4.1 and ‘Superman’ at 3.8. The strong showing has fueled hopes that the film could overperform at the box office. Positive word of mouth could be exactly what DC needs heading into its opening weekend.

CLAYFACE debuts with an impressive 3.7 out of 5 stars on Letterboxd. Great news for @DCOfficial as it’s the third best-rated DC film this decade, only behind THE BATMAN (4.1) and SUPERMAN (3.8). Good reception means CLAYFACE may overperform this weekend. https://t.co/7wvgimWU27

— Global Box Office (@GlobalBoxOffice) October 21, 2026

The social media embargo lifted on October 13, about 10 days before release, a move that signaled confidence from Warner Bros. Early reactions praised the film as a gory showcase for Harries.

Not everyone was won over, though. ComicBookMovie’s Josh Wilding gave the film a rotten 2.5 out of 5, comparing it to ‘Morbius’ while still praising Harries’ lead performance, and some audience complaints have focused on how briefly Clayface’s true form appears.

The full critic review embargo lifted on October 21, just a day before Thursday preview screenings. The coming days will reveal whether the Letterboxd enthusiasm carries over to critics.

New posters for DC’s ‘CLAYFACE’. In theaters on October 23. https://t.co/2DA3HTeKUQ

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 7, 2026

Projections have shifted considerably in recent weeks. Boxoffice Pro’s first long-range forecast pegged the film for a $23 million to $33 million domestic opening, but more recent tracking dropped to around $15 million to $20 million.

There is some good news, though. Deadline reported that presales picked up in the days before release, and the film faces unexpected competition from A24’s ‘You Can See Everything’, which has been overperforming.

International audiences could add another $15 million to $25 million. That would help the film recoup its budget quickly. The film’s modest price tag changes the math entirely. With a reported budget of around $40 million, even a smaller opening could put it on a path toward profitability.

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 stands in sharp contrast to ‘Supergirl’, which opened to $37.1 million domestically but finished with $126 million worldwide and was considered a box office bomb. ComicBook.com argued ‘Clayface’ could be seen as a success even with a smaller opening.

The film could also ride 2026’s horror wave. Hits like ‘Obsession’, ‘Backrooms’, and ‘Resident Evil’ have shown audiences are hungry for scares, and a Halloween-season release gives the DCU’s spooky spinoff a natural advantage.

The cast also includes Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella, and Eddie Marsan. With an R rating for strong bloody violence and gore, it’s unlike anything DC has released before.

If the Letterboxd score is any indication, the studio’s horror experiment may have found its audience. The weekend box office will reveal whether that excitement turns into ticket sales.

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