Picture this: the weekend box office turning into a battleground where pop icons and wrestling legends clash for supremacy – and guess who came out on top? Taylor Swift's massive fan army flexed its muscles once again, propelling her movie 'The Official Release Party of a Show Girl' straight to the No. 1 spot with a whopping $33 million in North American earnings, based on Sunday's estimates from Comscore. But here's where it gets controversial – is this just clever marketing genius, or is it blurring the lines between music and cinema in ways that could reshape Hollywood forever?
Published: October 5, 2025 at 1:55 PM
LOS ANGELES (AP) — This past weekend, the cinema landscape was dominated by two major attractions: the chart-topping singer Taylor Swift and the charismatic actor Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. It seemed like a showdown between titans, yet Swift's incredibly loyal followers demonstrated their unbeatable influence. Her new film, 'The Official Release Party of a Show Girl,' which serves as an accompanying visual experience to her 12th studio album, raked in that impressive $33 million debut. Announced just two weeks prior with hardly any buzz, this 89-minute cinematic treat bundles together music videos, exclusive backstage glimpses, and clean versions of her song lyrics – all without a hint of profanity. For beginners wondering what a 'companion piece' means, think of it as a bonus feature that enhances the main album, like an extended DVD extras reel brought to life on the big screen.
The movie screened exclusively at all 540 AMC theaters across the U.S. for a limited three-day run, wrapping up on Sunday. AMC also broadcast it in Mexico, Canada, and various European countries, making it a global event.
Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore's senior media analyst, praised the strategy: 'Taylor Swift's ability to leverage the theater experience to strengthen her brand, ignite fan enthusiasm, and foster a shared atmosphere beyond concerts and live shows is truly brilliant. Adding another $33 million to the box office coffers is a huge win for cinemas craving fresh content for their screens.'
This triumph follows closely on the heels of her 'The Eras Tour' concert film, which launched with $96 million nearly two years ago, solidifying Swift's reign as a box office powerhouse. And this is the part most people miss – how these non-traditional films are revitalizing theaters in an era of streaming dominance, proving that star power can still draw crowds.
On the other hand, Johnson experienced a more subdued reception. His A24 drama 'The Smashing Machine,' starring alongside Emily Blunt, landed in third place with just $6 million, falling behind Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another,' which pulled in $11.1 million and has now grossed $107 million worldwide.
Despite glowing reviews and a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival – where Johnson earned accolades for his portrayal of real-life MMA fighter Mark Kerr – the film represents one of the smallest openings for a leading star in recent memory.
Dergarabedian offered insight: 'When big-name actors venture into independent projects, much like Tom Cruise did in 'Magnolia,' they're aiming to reinvent their careers. They can navigate both mainstream blockbusters and indie worlds, and for Dwayne Johnson, the critical acclaim is like gold. He understands the business side of Hollywood, but stepping out of his comfort zone shines a new light on him. Dwayne Johnson is expanding his horizons in exciting ways.'
But here's where it gets controversial again – is Johnson's shift to indie roles a bold risk that could elevate his prestige, or is it a gamble that might alienate his core action-hero fans? Some argue it's a savvy move to diversify, while others wonder if it dilutes his blockbuster appeal.
Beyond these headline-grabbers, the weekend's offerings spanned a diverse array of genres, from whimsical animated tales to spine-tingling horror follow-ups and captivating international stories.
DreamWorks Animation's wholesome family adventure 'Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie' entered in fourth with $5.2 million, bringing the beloved Netflix kids' series to theaters for the first time. Warner Bros.' eerie supernatural thriller 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' came in fifth at $4 million, boosting its global total to $458.2 million.
Sixth place went to 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle,' the newest chapter in the wildly popular Japanese anime series, earning $3.5 million. A re-release of the 2022 epic 'Avatar: The Way of Water' surged into seventh with $3.1 million – a strong comeback ahead of the upcoming 'Avatar: The Fire and Ash' on December 19.
The top 10 rounded out with 'The Strangers: Chapter 2' at $2.8 million, the IFC dark comedy 'Good Boy' at $2.2 million (marking IFC's second-best opening ever), and 'Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1' at $1.7 million.
Dergarabedian is eagerly anticipating October's lineup, including 'Tron: Ares,' 'Kiss of the Spider Woman,' and 'Roofman' starring Channing Tatum.
Top 10 movies by domestic box office
With final domestic numbers set for release on Monday, this ranking includes estimated ticket sales from Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, per Comscore:
'The Official Release Party of a Show Girl,' $33 million
'One Battle After Another,' $11.1 million
'The Smashing Machine,' $6 million
'Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie,' $5.2 million
'The Conjuring: Last Rites,' $4 million
'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle,' $3.5 million
'Avatar: The Way of Water,' $3.1 million
'The Strangers: Chapter 2,' $2.8 million
'Good Boy,' $2.2 million
'Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1,' $1.7 million
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What do you think about celebrities like Taylor Swift using movies as extensions of their music careers – is it innovative or overreaching? And regarding Dwayne Johnson's indie detour, does it signal a positive evolution for Hollywood stars, or could it backfire? Do you agree that these kinds of films are saving traditional theaters? Share your opinions in the comments – I'd love to hear your take!
