The Smashing Machine Opens With Lowest Debut of Dwayne Johnson’s Acting Career – The Smashing Machine, the highly anticipated biopic about former MMA star Mark Kerr starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, had a disappointing start at the box office. The film earned $6 million in its opening weekend, marking the lowest debut of Johnson’s acting career. Produced with a $50 million budget, the movie was released in 3,345 theaters across North America and opened in third place overall.
The weekend’s top spot went to Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, which generated more than $33 million. Coming in second was the war drama One Battle After Another, earning $11 million. The Smashing Machine underperformed compared to early projections of $8 million to $15 million. Variety confirmed that this opening fell below Johnson’s previous career low of $8.5 million, recorded in 2010 with the thriller Faster.
Despite the weak box office start, The Smashing Machine has received strong critical feedback. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a 74 percent critics’ score from 223 reviews, alongside a 78 percent audience rating from more than 250 submissions. Reviewers have praised Johnson’s performance for its physical commitment and emotional depth, capturing both Kerr’s dominance in MMA’s early years and his personal struggles, including battles with addiction.
The R-rated film chronicles Kerr’s rise in the 1990s MMA scene, highlighting the pressures of competition and the darker side of his journey outside the ring. While the initial box office numbers were below expectations, the film adds to Johnson’s growing portfolio of dramatic projects that move beyond his usual action-heavy roles. Its long-term impact will depend on word of mouth and sustained audience interest in the coming weeks.
The Smashing Machine Opens With Lowest Debut of Dwayne Johnson’s Acting Career
