‘Clayface’ Opens to $24 Million, ‘You Can See Everything’ Continues Box Office Surge

DC Studios’ R-rated comic book film “Clayface” opened with $24 million at the domestic box office, according to studio estimates Sunday. The film, directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, narrowly edged out A24’s documentary “You Can See Everything,” which earned $19.5 million in its second weekend of wide release.

“Clayface,” starring Tom Rhys Harries as a movie star undergoing experimental facial surgery, marked the third theatrical release for DC under James Gunn and Peter Safran. The film’s production budget was $44 million, a fraction of typical superhero movie costs, and it added $19 million internationally. Audiences gave “Clayface” an “A-” CinemaScore, and reviews were largely positive, positioning it as a potential top genre draw for October.

“You Can See Everything,” which expanded to 2,655 locations, has grossed $45.1 million in two weeks, placing it among the highest-grossing documentaries ever. The film’s success has been attributed in part to its appeal to Gen Z audiences and its growing awards season prospects, with a potential Oscar nomination for best picture being the first for a documentary.

“A24 invested a reported $7 million in an interesting but complicated idea without a beginning, middle or end, that’s turned into a zeitgeist film about money, dreams, truth and reality,” said David A. Gross, who publishes the box office newsletter FranchiseRe.

Last weekend’s top film, “Street Fighter,” dropped 72% in its second weekend, earning $8.6 million and bringing its domestic total to $46.9 million. The film had a production budget of about $80 million.

Laika’s latest stop-motion animated film, “Wildwood,” debuted in third place with $11.8 million from 2,779 locations. The film, directed by Laika CEO Travis Knight, received strong reviews and audience scores, achieving an “A” CinemaScore. However, with a production cost of $100 million, “Wildwood” is unlikely to be profitable.

“Wicker,” a comic fable starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård, opened with $5.8 million from 1,471 theaters. The film, acquired for $2.5 million at Sundance, follows a fisherwoman who has a basket maker weave her a husband.

Other new releases saw limited success. Taika Waititi’s “Klara and the Sun” made $725,000 at 880 theaters, while Amazon MGM did not report grosses for Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Ali G: Who Iz I?” amid backlash in the U.K. over cultural appropriation concerns.