DC Horror Film Clayface Earns Unusually High CinemaScore

The new DC Studios body horror film Clayface earned an A− from CinemaScore audience polls, putting it alongside some of the best-received horror movies of recent years.

The grade is familiar territory for DC. Matt Reeves’ The Batman, James Gunn’s Superman, Aquaman, and Man of Steel all received the same score. It is much rarer among horror films. Since the pandemic, only a few have reached an A−, including A Quiet Place Part II, Five Nights at Freddy’s, Weapons, and Obsession.

Gunn noticed the result and congratulated the Clayface team:

“Very proud of this. […] In the past couple of years, only three horror films have received an A−: “Obsession,” “Weapons,” and now “Clayface.” As always, all the credit goes to James, Mike, Hossein, Tom, Naomi, and the whole team.”

James Gunn

Clayface pleasantly surprised audiences: the DC horror film earned an unusually high CinemaScore grade — Image source: Cinemascore

CinemaScore grades carry weight because the company surveys moviegoers right after screenings in the US and Canada. Unlike standard online ratings, these results are much harder to skew with review bombing. Hollywood studios watch CinemaScore closely, since a high grade can point to strong word of mouth and help a film hold its audience after opening weekend.

In its opening weekend, Clayface earned $43 million worldwide, including $24 million in the US and Canada, where it topped the box office. Good word of mouth heading into Halloween could help the film keep its momentum next weekend.

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