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After ‘Supergirl,’ DC’s Much Cheaper Horror Gamble Is Already Paying Off
DC’s low-budget horror film *Clayface* has opened at number one at the box office, giving the studio a stronger start than *Supergirl*. Its early performance suggests that a less expensive, genre-focused release may be a more favourable commercial bet for the DC Universe after *Supergirl* fell far short of its costs.
*Supergirl*, starring Milly Alcock, had a reported budget of $170 million and earned $126 million worldwide, against an estimated break-even point of about $350 million. *Clayface* took $24 million domestically in its opening weekend; by the start of its second weekend, it had reached $33 million domestically and $28 million internationally, for a global total of $61 million.
In short
- *Clayface* opened at number one.
- It has earned $61 million worldwide so far.
- *Supergirl* made $126 million on a $170 million budget.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Clayface’s opening suggests DC can reduce financial risk by backing distinctive, genre-focused films with lower budgets. Its number-one debut and early global earnings offer a promising sign that such projects can find audiences without needing the very large grosses required to recoup a costly release.
The case against
It is too early to treat Clayface’s opening as proof that horror is a more reliable strategy: its reported $61 million global total is still an early snapshot, and box-office results can change as a film’s run continues. A studio also benefits from a varied slate, and Supergirl’s shortfall alone does not show that larger or less genre-specific films cannot succeed.