R-Rated Batman Villain Movie Continues DCU Turnaround After 2 HBO Max Streaming Hits

Published Oct 15, 2026, 1:46 PM EDT Cooper Hood is the Associate Editor for all new movie releases, in theaters and on streaming. In addition to writing articles about these titles and upcoming releases, he also oversees content planning for each, ensuring that ScreenRant continues to cover major releases for months after their release. He has written various reviews for ScreenRant that appear on Rotten Tomatoes, coordinated Oscars and San Diego Comic-Con coverage, appeared on CNN to talk about Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, and done select interviews with talent over the years. 2026 didn't start well for James Gunn's DC Universe. The franchise's true launch last summer with Superman got audiences excited about what this new universe could be. Building off the strong reception to Creature Commandos, Superman led into another well-received HBO Max series when Peacemaker season 2 arrived. It made the first full year of the DCU an undisputed success. That made the DCU's 2026 slate even more anticipated. Milly Alcock's Kara Zor-El was vaulted to leading hero status for Supergirl after a Superman cameo. HBO Max had the first season of Lanterns on the docket. DC Studios also came into the year with intrigue around its R-rated Batman villain movie, Clayface, set to launch in a prime Halloween window. However, the positivity surrounding the DCU quickly shifted as the year progressed. Supergirl was met with unfavorable reviews and bombed at the box office, making only $126 million worldwide. Before its release, debate raged about Lanterns's grounded, True Detective-style approach being the right fit for the cosmic property, with everything from brownish suits to a lack of constructs drawing pushback. The good news is that the DCU is back on track now. HBO Max has proven to be a significant partner in bringing a more positive outlook on the released 2026 DC projects. Clayface is not going to squander this momentum, either, as early signs suggest DC has a hit on its hands to keep the turnaround going. Lanterns & Supergirl On HBO Max Gave The DCU A Much Needed Boost Credit: John P. Johnson / ©HBO / Courtesy Everett Collection Throughout June and July, stock in the DCU was at its lowest point. Supergirl's disastrous box office sparked questions about whether audiences were really interested in a whole new cinematic franchise. As the movie stayed in theaters and saw no real uptick in interest, there was some understandable fear that Gunn's vision for Chapter One: Gods & Monsters would be cut short, especially with Warner Bros.' merger with Paramount looming. But the DCU's turnaround began in August when Lanterns debuted. The series consistently scored excellent viewership figures from start to finish. This included attracting a series high of 10.5 million global viewers for Lanterns' season 1 finale in its first three days. Strong word of mouth led to Lanterns' premiere gaining over 30 million global views, while season 1's episodes averaged 19.3 million views at the time. In the midst of Lanterns' streaming domination, Supergirl caught its second life. The movie came to HBO Max in September and immediately became the #1 film on the platform. The result wasn't a small surge in interest, though. Supergirl's first month on HBO Max was a big success, as it remained a top 3 movie on the streaming service, proving that audiences around the world were watching and enjoying. The streaming success may not have been able to turn around Supergirl's critical reception, but Lanterns proved to be a smash hit in that department. It scored rave reviews and a 91% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes thanks to its compelling story, excellent ensemble, and strong characters. Interestingly, Supergirl has proven to be more well-liked than Lanterns with fans, as the movie scored a 72% while the show sits at 68%. While DC Studios would have loved to see both scores be much higher, the viewership both projects drew on HBO Max helped show just how invested audiences really were in the DCU, despite what Supergirl's box office suggested. The First Reactions To Clayface Are Another Good Sign For The DCU Credit: MovieStillsDB The only thing that would kill the DCU's vibe at this point would be releasing another movie that won't perform well in theaters and/or be received negatively. The latter outcome doesn't seem likely for the next DCU movie, as Clayface's first reactions have been incredibly positive. The new film comes from director James Watkins and stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, an actor who is transformed into the Batman villain Clayface as he tries to fix his physical appearance. The initial reactions to the movie praise many aspects of the movie, ranging from how it handles horror to exploring Hagen's backstory. Multiple reactions highlight that the R-rated comic book movie is true to its body horror approach. It's been called "wildly gory," "dark, violent," "brutal," and "shockingly gruesome." Some reactions went as far as to say it is one of the best horror movies of the year, which is high praise in a year with Backrooms, Obsession, Hokum, and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. On top of seemingly working perfectly within the body horror genre, Clayface's strengths include Harries and Naomi Ackie's performances, a strong romance, and how it shapes the DCU. The movie is not perfect, even with such positive reactions, but the important thing here is that Clayface looks to be a Batman villain movie audiences will really enjoy. That bodes well for DC ending 2026 with a box office hit. Clayface carries only a $40 million budget, so it just needs to make over $100 million to be profitable. Unofficial tracking reports have put the film on target for a $20-$30 million launch domestically, but that was also before these reactions hit. As long as critics and audiences enjoy Clayface as much as the initial wave of reactions, the movie should not have too much trouble finding success. Even if it doesn't become a massive box office hit, the suggested response being so positive will keep audiences engaged in the DCU beyond 2026. The DCU's Future Is Very Bright DC Studios is hard at work developing movies and shows to entertain all types of audiences over the next several years, including titles beyond the DCU. But the cinematic universe is Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran's primary focus. What we know about the future after Clayface is all very exciting. 2027 will only have one movie in theaters, but it's a big one: Man of Tomorrow. Gunn's Superman follow-up boasts a massive ensemble cast and will look to expand the DCU storytelling in many ways. It will have every expectation to be a major box office hit and set the stage for what else is coming in Chapter One: Gods & Monsters. DC Studios is also still forging ahead with its first Batman solo movie, The Brave and the Bold, even if plans for it have changed. A Wonder Woman solo film is also known to be in development, with James Mangold's Swamp Thing still in the works. There are even plans for a Teen Titans film and Savage Hunters, which is a team-up movie featuring Bane and Deathstroke. Given how important HBO Max has been to the DCU in 2026's turnaround, the streamer will continue to give subscribers fresh stories. Creature Commandos season 2 is expected in 2027, while The People v. Gorilla Grodd could also come out then. Live-action shows for Booster Gold and Mister Terrific are in development, while Blue Beetle and Mister Miracle have animated series in development. A writers' room has also been put together to brainstorm Lanterns season 2 ideas. That gives the DCU over a dozen known projects in development. Considering how Gunn has emphasized telling different types of stories across all genres, there is plenty of reason for optimism about what is ahead. Clayface is proof that the approach is working, so it will be fun to see how the DCU continues to push the boundaries of what audiences expect from superhero movies and shows. Release Date October 23, 2026 Runtime 108 Minutes Director James Watkins Cast Tom Rhys Harries Matt Hagen / Clayface Naomi Ackie Dr. Caitlin Bates