The Smashing Machine, a sports biopic starring Dwayne Johnson that struggled financially during its theatrical release in October 2025, has rapidly climbed to the top of HBO Max’s streaming charts. Despite underwhelming box office returns, the film has attracted a large streaming audience, marking a notable turn in the movie’s reception linked to Dwayne Johnson streaming success.
Streaming Success Surpasses Awards and Theatrical Performance
As of January 27, 2026, The Smashing Machine ranks as the most-viewed film on HBO Max, according to data from FlixPatrol. It outpaced popular titles like Sinners, a film recognized with a record 16 Oscar nominations this season, as well as action favorites such as John Wick and its sequels, among others. Although The Smashing Machine only earned an Oscar nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, it received two Golden Globe nods: Best Actor for Dwayne Johnson and Best Supporting Actress for Emily Blunt.
The film’s theatrical release did not reflect this later popularity; it grossed roughly $21 million worldwide against a $50 million budget. In a social media message, Johnson acknowledged the unpredictability of box office results while thanking viewers who supported the movie in theaters. He stated that
“no one can control box office results.”
Critical Reception Reflects Mixed but Mostly Positive Reviews
Critical response to The Smashing Machine remains fairly positive, with the film holding a 70% “certified fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 74% audience score. Metacritic shares a more divided perspective with a metascore of 65 indicating generally favorable reviews, contrasted by a user score of 5.4 signifying mixed or average opinions. The narrative focuses on the real-life story of Mark Kerr, an amateur wrestler and MMA fighter, portraying both his professional achievements and struggles, including his complex relationship with Dawn Staples, played by Emily Blunt.
Production Team Behind the Story
Benny Safdie served as writer, director, editor, and producer of the film. Alongside him, Dwayne Johnson, Eli Bush, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, and David Koplan contributed as producers, shaping the project’s development and final presentation.
What This Means for Dwayne Johnson and Future Releases
The streaming resurgence of The Smashing Machine highlights the evolving landscape of film success, where initial box office results no longer determine a movie’s reach or cultural impact. For Dwayne Johnson, the film’s strong digital performance confirms his growing influence in the streaming arena. This pattern indicates that future releases featuring high-profile actors may find substantial audiences via online platforms even if traditional theatrical runs fall short.
