The Rock is used to constant success across his various ventures, but every now and then the successful wrestler-turned-actor has a disappointing outing. There’s now even more concern after updated numbers on Rock’s latest mainstream project were released.
The Final Boss is still dealing with bad press following the theatrical release of The Smashing Machine last month. The future WWE Hall of Famer drew his worst-ever box office opening last weekend for the biographical sports drama based on the life and career of MMA pioneer Mark Kerry, based off a popular 2002 documentary of the same name that Rock was a big fan of.
Rock starred as Kerr, and served as Executive Producer with Seven Bucks. Rock and Kerry himself have been promoting the movie together. The Smashing Machine received a 15-minute standing ovation at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 1, and has drawn mostly-positive reviews from critics and regular viewers, despite the box office flop. The R-rated film currently has a 71% rating among critics on RottenTomatoes, and a 76% rating general viewers. These numbers are down from last week’s 72% and 77% ratings.
The Rock reportedly received $4 million for the leading role in The Smashing Machine. The movie filmed from May-August 2024, and required Rock to undergo a significant physical transformation. He recently issued a wholesome statement following the brutal opening weekend.
Week Two Box Office Update On The Smashing Machine
The Smashing Machine with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson drew just $6 million from 3,345 movie theaters in its opening weekend last month. Projections going into opening weekend were at $8 million to $15 million, meaning the movie stood to lose tens of millions of dollars as $50 million was spent to produce the film, and that does not include several millions in marketing.
The Rock’s movie on UFC Hall of Famer Mark Kerr ranked #3 for its opening weekend, behind Taylor Swift’s “The Official Release Party of a Showgirl” at #1 with $33 million in domestic sales, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s “One Battle After Another” with another $10.3 million from 3,634 theaters, down 53% from its debut weekend, bringing the two-week total to $41 million in North America.
The Smashing Machine just had its second weekend in theaters, and came in at a disappointing 8th place, according to Variety. The 70% decline represents just $1.7 million from 3,321 theaters, bringing the two-week total to $10.1 million. The movie is shaping up to be a major financial loss for the A24 entertainment company.
Disney’s “Tron: Ares” sci-fi sequel also flopped in its opening weekend, drawing a low $33.5 million from 4,000 theaters in North America. The film cost $180 million to produce, not including several million in marketing costs. The PG-13 film was projected to draw $45 to $50 million domestically. Channing Tatum’s “Roofman” took the second spit this weekend, drawing a disappointing $8 million via 3,340 theaters on opening weekend.
The Rock isn’t the only A-Lister struggling at the box office as new movies from Jennifer Lopez and others are also hurting. Variety noted that films are having a hard time packing theaters, and with no major blockbuster to help boost grosses in October, overall domestic movie theater ticket sales are up only 4% from the same period in 2024.
Kurt Angle has a strong history with The Rock and Mark Kerr. The WWE Hall of Famer took to X last week to praise both men amid backlash over the film.
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