‘Clayface’ Opens in Third Place Overseas, Surpassing ‘Supergirl’ but Behind ‘Superman’
DC Studios’ inaugural horror film, ‘Clayface’, has kicked off its international run, with initial figures emerging from one of the first markets to open. The R-rated body horror movie, directed by James Watkins, began screening in various overseas territories on October 21, just two days ahead of its North American release on October 23.
The stakes are high for this film, which marks the third installment in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe. It follows ‘Supergirl’, which debuted with $38 million domestically in June and concluded with a global total of $126 million. With a reported budget of $40 million, ‘Clayface’ doesn’t necessarily need a blockbuster performance, but DC Studios could certainly benefit from some positive momentum.
The initial snapshot from South Korea presents a mixed picture. ‘Clayface’ opened there on October 21, attracting just under 19,000 admissions, including early screenings, which translates to approximately $132,000. This places it behind a popular Japanese animated film and a local release in the daily rankings. These figures provide a preliminary glimpse into how the film is resonating with Asian audiences before larger markets report in.
On that day, the top performer was ‘Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island’, which has been in theaters since September 30 and garnered 28,985 admissions. Following closely was the Korean release ‘Paradise Lost’ with 20,625 admissions, while ‘Clayface’ managed to pull in 14,664 admissions on its opening day across 556 screens, capturing an 11.4% share of the day’s revenue.
A more telling comparison can be made with earlier DCU films in the same market. In South Korea, ‘Superman’ achieved 93,000 admissions, while ‘Supergirl’ recorded 34,000, according to the figures shared alongside the chart. This positions ‘Clayface’ ahead of ‘Supergirl’ in terms of raw admissions but significantly behind ‘Superman’, which remains the franchise’s benchmark.
However, this comparison has its limitations. ‘Clayface’ is a hard R horror film and caters to a more niche audience compared to family-friendly superhero movies, making it a less direct comparison. Nonetheless, the Korean debut indicates that the film is finding its audience without making a massive splash.
Variety has projected that ‘Clayface’ could earn between $20 million and $25 million overseas from 76 markets, leading to a global opening of $45 million to $55 million. In North America, its opening weekend is estimated to fall between $25 million and $35 million from around 3,400 theaters, with other forecasts suggesting mid-$20 million figures.
The film also faces unexpected competition domestically. A24’s documentary ‘You Can See Everything’ is expanding to about 2,600 venues and could pose a challenge for the top spot. Earlier tracking indicated a softer presale pace compared to ‘Supergirl’, although an R-rated body horror film right before Halloween has its own inherent advantages.
Watch the first trailer for #Clayface. The new DC horror film is in theaters October 23. https://t.co/gqrrtJSou5
— Rotten Tomatoes 🍅 (@RottenTomatoes) April 22, 2026
For a film with a modest budget, strong international results could help bridge the gap. Reports suggest that ‘Clayface’ needs to achieve around $80 million to $100 million in total box office to break even, making the overseas share a crucial element of the equation.
Early reviews and reactions have been positive, with praise directed at the film’s brutal and gory take on Matt Hagen’s story. If this goodwill translates into word of mouth, the opening weekend could mark the beginning of a more stable run than the initial Korean numbers might imply.
The true test will come when North America opens and global totals start to take shape. A solid performance both at home and in key overseas markets would indicate that DC’s venture into horror is succeeding, while a lackluster showing would heighten the pressure on the franchise.
For now, the South Korean debut provides a small yet valuable data point, with ‘Clayface’ managing to hold its own against ‘Supergirl’ while still allowing ample room for growth.
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