A24’s breakout documentary “You Can See Everything” captured the top spot at the domestic box office on Monday, taking in $2.57 million and positioning itself to challenge Warner Bros.’ upcoming DC adaptation “Clayface” this weekend.
Directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, the film pushed past Paramount and Legendary’s video game adaptation “Street Fighter,” which earned $1.9 million on Monday, Deadline reported. The feature-length examination of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has now accumulated $18.1 million in North America after an opening weekend that collected $15.6 million from only 855 theaters.
The film’s launch marked the largest opening for a non-music documentary since Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” in 2004, according to TheWrap. Produced for less than $10 million, the three-hour film gained rapid traction through a secretive promotional push and enthusiastic reactions on film platforms, with 92 percent of polled moviegoers delivering a “definite recommend” rating on PostTrak.
An Unlikely Box Office Showdown
“You Can See Everything” is scheduled to expand into at least 2,600 locations this weekend. The wide push sets up an unusual box office duel against “Clayface,” the James Watkins-directed DC release scheduled to arrive in U.S. theaters on Friday, Oct. 23.
Starring Tom Rhys Harries as the classic Batman adversary, “Clayface” is currently projected to open at around $20 million domestically, according to tracking figures reported by ComingSoon.net and Deadline. Although modest compared to standard superhero tentpoles, the film carries an estimated production budget in the $30 million range. Warner Bros. previously saw DC Studios’ big-budget release “Supergirl” fall short of estimates earlier this year, grossing $72.4 million domestically and $126.4 million worldwide after a $38 million launch.
Advance ticket activity for “Clayface” has gained momentum over the last two days, Deadline reported, though theater circuits show diverging projections ranging from $18 million to the mid-$20 millions. Research firm EntTelligence noted that “Clayface” holds an advantage in marketing impressions and commands an average ticket price of $14.65, compared to $12.88 for the documentary.
October Box Office Landscape
The upcoming head-to-head competition follows mixed results across the fall theatrical market. “Street Fighter,” produced on an $82 million budget, led ticket sales over the weekend with a $31 million domestic start and stood at $32.6 million through Monday, TheWrap reported. Meanwhile, 20th Century Studios’ survival thriller “Whalefall” debuted softly with $8 million domestically on a reported $60 million net budget.
Industry analysts are watching closely to see whether final reviews and word of mouth will keep “Clayface” in the lead or allow Fielder’s documentary to secure a rare upset. Beyond the weekend box office race, “You Can See Everything” has also spurred early awards discussion, with commentators and critics at TheWrap and Variety considering whether the title could become the first documentary ever nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.
