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2h ago

The Smashing Machine Opens To $6 Million, Johnson’s Weakest Debut As Lead

Awards buzz didn’t convert to turnout, with a tepid audience grade plus Taylor Swift’s theatrical event weighing on the launch.

Dwayne Johnson transforms in the Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine."
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Overview

  • A24’s biopic about MMA pioneer Mark Kerr earned about $6 million in its domestic opening, placing third for the weekend.
  • The result marks Dwayne Johnson’s lowest opening as a headliner, trailing One Battle After Another and Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl.
  • Audience sentiment was lukewarm with a B- CinemaScore, even as critics praised Johnson’s transformative performance and the film sits near 73% on Rotten Tomatoes.
  • The production budget is reported around $50 million, intensifying scrutiny of its box-office prospects despite strong festival acclaim and awards chatter.
  • Johnson and the team billed the film as a “life movie” centered on Kerr’s personal struggles, as A24 emphasized authenticity and staged targeted promotions including a New York City pop-up.