Clayface’s October 23 release isn’t just another entry in the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters lineup — it’s a make-or-break moment for Warner Bros Pictures’ rebooted superhero universe. The film, directed by James Watkins and starring Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, a rising actor disfigured in an accident who volunteers for an experimental treatment that turns him into living clay, enters the box office arena with one clear mission: surpass Supergirl’s global haul. That number? $126.5 million. And it’s not a stretch, Clayface needs only $127 million worldwide to claim the dubious title of DCU’s second-highest-grossing film. 

Supergirl, released earlier this year and starring Milly Alcock, didn’t just underperform. It became one of the biggest flops of 2026. According to Box Office Mojo data, it collected $72.4 million domestically, including $37.1 million in its opening weekend, but failed internationally, ending its theatrical run below the $150 million mark. Its total worldwide gross? $126.5 million. That’s the benchmark Clayface must beat. 

The opening numbers aren’t promising. Trade sources quoted by Koimoi project Clayface will earn between $23 million and $33 million in North America during its first weekend, less than Supergirl’s debut. That’s a setback, especially given the high expectations for a body horror take on a Batman villain. But the story isn’t over yet. If audiences respond well to the psychological depth and visceral transformation sequences, the film could gain momentum beyond the opening frame. A strong word-of-mouth surge could push it past the $127 million threshold. 

This isn’t about setting records. It’s about avoiding becoming the new low point in a franchise already marked by uneven results. Superman was the bright spot. Supergirl was the black eye. Clayface now stands at the edge. Either a quiet redemption or another footnote in the DCU’s rocky start. The next two weeks will tell whether the clay holds together, or crumbles.