‘The Smashing Machine’ is projected to open with $9M-$10M at 3,000 theaters, a reduction from its initial $20M projection, despite positive reviews and strong interest from fans of dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and WWE. simultaneously occurring, Bleecker Street’s Bone Lake and IFC’s Good Boy are also entering a competitive weekend with anticipated low single-digit openings.
These releases arrive amid a challenging box office landscape,where even critically acclaimed films are struggling to break out. The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie and starring Johnson and Emily Blunt, cost $50M to produce, largely funded by foreign presales. The film, based on the life of MMA champion Mark Kerr, received 76% certified fresh reviews following premieres at the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals. bone Lake, an erotic thriller, boasts a 94% fresh rating after premiering at Fantastic Fest and will be shown in 1,045 locations. Good Boy, a comedy horror thriller with a 93% fresh score, will be available in approximately 1,650 theaters. All three films face an uphill battle to achieve critically important box office success.
