The Rock Reacts After ‘Smashing Machine’s Poor Opening Weekend

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Dwayne Johnson’s new film, *The Smashing Machine*, had the lowest opening weekend box office numbers of his career, but he isn’t concerned about it.

Okay, so I just got the box office numbers, and *The Smashing Machine* landed in third place this weekend with just $5.9 million. It was beaten out by the *Taylor Swift* concert film and Paul Thomas Anderson’s new movie. Honestly, it’s a bit of a disappointment. Everyone predicted it would bring in between $8 and $15 million, and it didn’t even reach the lower end of those estimates. It seems like audiences weren’t as eager to see Mark Kerr’s story on the big screen as some expected.

Johnson shared on Instagram how honored he was to be involved with the project.

I’m truly grateful to everyone who has watched *The Smashing Machine*, he wrote, and then continued…

You can’t guarantee a movie will be a hit, but you *can* control how fully you commit to your role and truly become someone else. That’s an opportunity I always embrace. It was a privilege to transform for director Benny Safdie – thank you for believing in me. This film has genuinely changed my life. With sincere gratitude, respect, and empathy, dj

In other words: The Rock knows his role, and he is not going to shut his mouth.

I’m really excited about A24’s new film, *The Smashing Machine*. I heard they invested around $50 million into it – and that doesn’t even include the money they put into advertising! It’s been getting a lot of buzz from critics after premiering at festivals like Venice and Toronto, with most really praising it, especially the performance by the lead actor. While not *everyone* loved it, the overall reaction seems really positive.

I just finished watching this movie, and it’s really powerful. It tells the story of Mark Kerr, one of the first UFC fighters, and how he dealt with the pressures and injuries that came with the sport’s early days. It’s heartbreaking to see how those injuries led him down a path of drug abuse, and how it strained his relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn, who Emily Blunt plays brilliantly. Honestly, the transformation of the actor playing Kerr with all the makeup was incredible – you wouldn’t even recognize him!

Many awards season commentators believed actor Johnson had a strong chance of being nominated for an Oscar during the film’s festival run. However, it’s unclear if the film’s disappointing ticket sales will impact his nomination prospects this year.

Forgotten Animated Disney Movies That Deserve Another Look

1. The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

While the original *The Rescuers* from 1977 was enjoyable, a sequel wasn’t highly anticipated. However, *The Rescuers Down Under* (1990) surpassed the first film in almost every way. The movie centers around two mouse secret agents who embark on a mission to rescue a boy kidnapped by a poacher in the Australian Outback. With stunning aerial sequences, a beautifully realized Australian setting, and vibrant animation, it’s a shame this underrated film was released between the massive hits *The Little Mermaid* and *Beauty and the Beast*. Still, many who grew up watching VHS tapes in the 90s fondly remember it.

2. Onward (2020)

Pixar’s 2020 film, *Onward*, unfortunately suffered from poor timing. Released just as movie theaters were closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fantasy adventure about two brothers on a quest didn’t get much of a chance to succeed in theaters. Many people were understandably focused on current events at the time, and while it did well on streaming, it wasn’t widely seen. It’s a shame that even now, five years later, *Onward* is often overlooked when discussing the best recent Pixar films. It’s a truly heartfelt and magical adventure with beautiful animation, charming characters, and a touching story about grief and moving forward.

3. Treasure Planet (2002)

I remember when *Treasure Planet* came out in 2002 – it was such a unique take on *Treasure Island*, setting the story in space! It was a really ambitious movie, coming out around the time everyone was starting to use CGI, but sadly, it didn’t do well in theaters. But over the years, it’s really gained a following, and for good reason. The characters are fantastic, the blend of classic storybook visuals with sci-fi is stunning, and it’s a really moving story about finding where you belong. It truly feels like a special film, just like John Silver says – it has everything it needs to be great.

4. Dinosaur (2000)

Released in 2000, Disney’s *Dinosaur* was a pioneering film that combined live-action with computer animation. The movie follows a dinosaur and his adopted family as they search for a new home after a devastating meteor strike. Despite being the top-grossing animated film of its year and earning mostly positive reviews—even inspiring a theme park ride—*Dinosaur* has largely been forgotten. It seems to have gotten lost in the transition between Disney’s celebrated Renaissance period and its later films.

5. The Black Cauldron (1985)

1985’s *The Black Cauldron* is a somewhat divisive film among Disney fans. It was a significant box office failure upon release and is often cited as a movie that nearly ruined Disney, due to its departure from the original books, dark tone, and underdeveloped characters. However, over the last four decades, it’s gained a dedicated cult following. People appreciate its distinctive dark fantasy setting, beautiful animation, and truly frightening villain.

6. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

Among Disney fans, *Atlantis: The Lost Empire* is likely the least forgotten, particularly by those who have long hoped for a live-action adaptation. However, it’s not widely known by the general public and Disney rarely mentions it. This is probably because it came out right after Disney’s hugely successful Renaissance period and was very different from the typical Disney movies audiences expected.

The film is an exciting, action-filled adventure about a diverse team of explorers searching for the lost city of Atlantis and a powerful, ancient energy source. It features beautiful animation, a unique style inspired by Jules Verne, and memorable characters. While not flawless, it’s a very enjoyable movie.

7. Meet the Robinsons (2007)

Released in 2007, *Meet the Robinsons* came out during a challenging period for Disney, after the studio’s successful Renaissance era. It struggled to compete with Pixar and didn’t perform well in theaters, ultimately leading to the cancellation of a planned sequel. However, over time, the film—which tells the story of a young orphan inventor who travels to the future to alter his destiny—has gained a dedicated fanbase. People appreciate its surprisingly touching story, quirky characters, and vibrant, retro-futuristic visuals.

8. Brother Bear (2003)

Disney’s *Brother Bear*, released in 2003, is a beautifully animated film that often gets overlooked. It came out around the same time as hugely popular movies like *Lilo & Stitch*, *Monsters, Inc.*, *Finding Nemo*, and *The Incredibles*, which overshadowed it. However, *Brother Bear* tells a touching story about family and forgiveness that appeals to everyone. It also boasts stunning animation of North American landscapes, a memorable soundtrack by Phil Collins, and excellent voice performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Suarez.

9. A Bug’s Life (1998)

Despite being a Pixar film, 1998’s *A Bug’s Life* often gets overlooked when people discuss the studio’s most important works. While some consider it a classic – and rightfully so – it’s generally seen as less memorable than other major Pixar titles. The creative story centers around a well-intentioned but awkward ant who sets out to find help for his colony, only to stumble upon a quirky group of flea circus performers. It’s a charming and visually appealing film filled with funny and memorable characters, and it surprisingly tackles important themes like capitalism and the strength of working together.

10. Bolt (2008)

Released in 2008, *Bolt* was generally well-received and did reasonably well in theaters, but it’s now largely forgotten. The film tells the story of a dog actor on a popular TV show who genuinely believes he has superpowers. After escaping the set, he must find his way home and learn what’s real. Coming between Disney’s classic Renaissance period and the more recent successful Revival era (starting with *Tangled* in 2010), and during Pixar’s peak, *Bolt* didn’t achieve the same critical or cultural success as other Disney films. However, it remains a sweet and enjoyable adventure with a talented voice cast and lively animation.

11. Frankenweenie (2012)

Despite coming out in 2012, Tim Burton’s *Frankenweenie* is surprisingly overlooked, even when people talk about fun Halloween movies for families. This is a shame, because the film is a creatively made and playful take on classic sci-fi horror, and features a lot of artistic skill. It’s based on a short film Burton made for Disney back in 1984 and tells the story of a boy who brings his dog back to life, which leads to trouble when his friends try to do the same. With beautiful black-and-white stop-motion animation and lovable characters, this Burton classic is full of heart, even if it involves bringing something back from the dead.

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2025-10-06 23:28