Dwayne Johnson’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ Opens to $6M Amid Taylor Swift Competition

Dwayne Johnson’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ Debuts at $6 Million Amid Taylor Swift Film Release

Actor Dwayne Johnson expressed heartfelt gratitude after the release of his sports drama ‘The Smashing Machine’, which opened to a disappointing $6 million in its opening weekend. The film, directed by Benny Safdie, premiered on October 3, 2025, across 3,345 theatres but struggled against the surprise release of Taylor Swift’s concert film, ‘Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl’.

Dwayne Johnson’s Emotional Note

On Instagram, Johnson shared a picture from the movie, writing:

"From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched 'The Smashing Machine'. In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results — but you can control your performance and commitment. It was my honour to transform in this role for my director Benny Safdie. Thank you brother for believing in me. This film has changed my life. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy, dj."

Box Office Performance

Despite receiving a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice International Film Festival, where Benny Safdie won Best Director, the film fell short of expectations. With a production budget of $50 million, the movie’s $6 million debut missed its projected $20 million opening target.

The surprise release of Taylor Swift’s concert film, which collected $33 million in the same weekend, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s ‘One Battle After Another’ earning $10.3 million in its second week, contributed to the film’s underperformance.

About the Film

‘The Smashing Machine’ is a biopic on MMA fighter Mark Kerr, inspired by the 2002 documentary of the same name. Emily Blunt co-stars as Kerr’s girlfriend during his fighting career. The film showcases Johnson’s transformation for the role and highlights his dedication to physical and emotional authenticity.