- Dwayne Johnson’s A24 drama “The Smashing Machine” debuted with a shocking $5.9 million, marking the worst box office opening of his entire career.
- The film’s performance was a major blow to studio A24, falling drastically short of the projected $8 million to $15 million opening weekend.
- Despite the commercial failure, the film is a critical success, with Johnson’s transformative performance generating significant Oscar buzz for Best Actor.
- Johnson addressed the poor results on Instagram, stating, “you can’t control box office results,” and emphasized his pride in the role.
A Smashing Disappointment at the Box Office
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is facing a career lowlight as his critically acclaimed A24 drama, “The Smashing Machine,” crashed at the box office. The film opened to a dismal $5.9 million from 3,345 theaters, a figure that not only missed projections but also officially became the worst opening weekend for any movie starring Johnson. This performance is a significant financial setback for A24, which invested a reported $50 million in producing the movie.
Johnson’s Defiant and Grateful Response
In the face of the disappointing numbers, Johnson took to social media to share his perspective. “In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results — but what I realized you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere,” he posted on Instagram. He thanked director Benny Safdie, adding, “Truth is this film has changed my life.”
Critical Darling, Commercial Dud
The box office numbers tell a starkly different story than the film’s critical reception. “The Smashing Machine” was highly praised following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where director Benny Safdie won the best director prize. Even more notably, Johnson’s intense portrayal of MMA fighter Mark Kerr has been widely lauded as a career-best performance, placing him firmly in the conversation for an Oscar nomination.
About ‘The Smashing Machine’
The film chronicles the true story of two-time UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr (Johnson) and his volatile relationship with his wife, Dawn Staples (Emily Blunt). It delves into the highs of his fighting career and the devastating lows of his struggle with substance abuse.
Image Referance: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/dwayne-johnson-smashing-machine-worst-box-office-opening-1236541398/
