DC is going dark. The Clayface 2026 movie lands in theaters on October 23, 2026, and it is not your typical superhero film. Billed as DC Studios’ first horror movie, it turns one of Batman’s strangest villains into the star of an R-rated body horror story. With a hard R rating, a script from Mike Flanagan and early reactions already making noise online, this is one of the most intriguing releases of the fall.
Here is everything you need to know before it oozes onto the big screen: the release date, cast, plot, trailer, rating and what early viewers are saying.
Clayface Movie Release Date
Warner Bros. Pictures releases Clayface exclusively in theaters and IMAX in North America on Friday, October 23, 2026. International release begins a couple of days earlier, from October 21. The film was originally set for September 11 before the studio moved it to late October.
There is no streaming date announced, so theaters are the only way to see it for now.
Clayface 2026 Movie Plot
The story follows Matt Hagen, a Gotham street kid who becomes a rising Hollywood leading man. His career and his face are destroyed when a local crime boss’s actions leave him horribly disfigured. Desperate, he agrees to an experimental treatment, but it triggers terrifying and uncontrollable changes in his body.
What follows is a descent from movie star to revenge-driven monster, with themes of lost identity, corrosive love and the dark side of scientific ambition. Unlike many DC films, it is a self-contained story rather than a team-up.
Clayface Movie Cast
- Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen / Clayface
- Naomi Ackie as the scientist behind the experimental treatment
- David Dencik
- Max Minghella
- Eddie Marsan
- Nancy Carroll
- Joshua James
Who Directed Clayface?
The film is directed by James Watkins, the filmmaker behind Speak No Evil, The Woman in Black and Eden Lake. The screenplay is by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, with the story by Flanagan. It is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn and Peter Safran. DC Studios co-head James Gunn has said Flanagan’s script was one of the best the studio had read.
Is Clayface Rated R?
Yes. Clayface carries a hard R rating in the US and is the first horror film in the DC Universe. DC Studios has called it a body horror film, and co-head Peter Safran has compared its tone to David Cronenberg’s The Fly. Expect graphic body transformations and intense violence. The runtime is reportedly around one hour and 50 minutes, and the film is reported to have been made on a budget of about $40 million.
Clayface Trailer
DC released the first teaser in April, followed by a longer official trailer ahead of San Diego Comic-Con. The full trailer shows Hagen’s disfigurement, the experimental treatment and a far more detailed look at his transformation, with a strong focus on practical effects. Reactions online were largely positive, with many fans comparing the tone to The Fly, Darkman and The Substance.
Is Clayface Part of the DC Universe?
Yes. Gunn has confirmed that this Clayface lives in the DC Universe, the same world as Superman, and not in Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe. The same version of the character also appeared in the animated series Creature Commandos.
First Reactions
Early screenings have started to generate buzz. Some early viewers have called the film very good, funnier than expected, extremely gory and fully committed to its R rating. Keep in mind that official critic reviews had not been published at the time of writing, so these first reactions should be taken with caution. We will update this article once the reviews arrive.
Clayface Movie FAQs
When does Clayface come out?
It is released in North American theaters on October 23, 2026, with international release from October 21.
Who plays Clayface?
Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen, who becomes Clayface.
Is Clayface connected to The Batman?
No. It is part of the DC Universe led by James Gunn and Peter Safran, not the Matt Reeves Batman films.
What is the rating for Clayface?
It is rated R for body horror and violence.
Is Clayface on streaming?
No streaming date has been announced. It is a theatrical release.
Stay with Velnox Media for more on upcoming movies, trailers, reviews and box office results, including how Clayface performs on opening weekend.