Dwayne Johnson Responds to The Smashing Machine’s Disappointing Box Office Opening
Dwayne Johnson recently shared his thoughts on the lackluster box office performance of his latest film, The Smashing Machine. In an Instagram post dated October 6, 2025, the beloved actor addressed the film’s disappointing debut and reflected on the profound experience of portraying MMA icon Mark Kerr.
The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie and produced by A24, opened to just $5.9 million domestically, marking the lowest opening weekend of Johnson’s illustrious career. Despite the financial disappointment, Johnson took a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to the audiences who supported the film.
In his post, he wrote, “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 what I realized you can control is your performance and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere.” He continued, “It was my honor to transform into this role for my director Benny Safdie. Thank you, brother, for believing in me. Truth is, this film has changed my life.”
With a production budget of $50 million, The Smashing Machine explores Kerr’s tumultuous career and his battle with opioid addiction. The film also features Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, Kerr’s wife, and received critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival, where Safdie was awarded Best Director.
In its opening weekend, the film earned approximately $6 million across 3,345 theaters, significantly below the projected $8-15 million. The breakdown of the weekend box office included $2.7 million on Friday, $1.84 million on Saturday, and $1.43 million on Sunday, averaging $813 per theater on its first day. This opening marks one of the weakest in Johnson’s career.
Despite the challenges at the box office, The Smashing Machine is currently showing in theaters nationwide, allowing audiences to witness the powerful story of Mark Kerr and the transformative journey of Dwayne Johnson.
