The Mark Kerr biopic The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, earned $6 million during its opening weekend, marking the lowest debut of Johnson’s acting career. The film, which cost $50 million to produce, premiered in 3,345 theaters across North America and finished third in box office rankings for the weekend.
Leading the box office was Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, a behind-the-scenes documentary tied to Swift’s “Life of a Showgirl” album, which generated over $33 million. One Battle After Another, a war drama, secured second place with $11 million. The Smashing Machine fell short of its projected opening range of $8 million to $15 million, according to industry estimates.
Variety reported that the film’s debut was the lowest of Johnson’s career, falling below the $8.5 million opening of his 2010 thriller Faster. The publication noted that despite Johnson’s established box office track record, The Smashing Machine did not meet commercial expectations. The film is rated R and centers on the life of Mark Kerr, a former mixed martial arts champion known for his early dominance in the sport.
Critically, the film has received favorable reviews. It holds a 74 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 223 critic reviews, and a 78 percent audience score from over 250 fan submissions. Johnson’s portrayal of Kerr has been noted for its physical intensity and emotional depth, reflecting the fighter’s personal and professional struggles during the rise of MMA in the 1990s.
The Smashing Machine explores Kerr’s journey through the early years of mixed martial arts, including his battles with addiction and the pressures of competition. The film’s release comes amid growing interest in biographical sports dramas and continues Johnson’s involvement in projects outside of traditional action and adventure genres. Further box office performance and audience reception will determine the film’s long-term impact.
“The Smashing Machine” cratered with $6 million over the weekend. Those ticket sales were below projections of $8 million to $15 million. This marks the lowest debut of Johnson’s career, below his 2010 thriller “Faster” ($8.5 million, not adjusted for inflation). Ignominious… pic.twitter.com/BjeQmZUl68
— Variety (@Variety) October 5, 2025
