Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, featuring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, is set to premiere on HBO Max as a streaming release. This sports drama biopic, scheduled for 2025, delves into the life and challenges of UFC legend Mark Kerr. Despite high hopes, The Smashing Machine struggled at the box office, earning only $21 million globally against a production budget of $40-50 million.
For Benny Safdie, this film marks his first solo directing endeavor since the 2019 hit Uncut Gems, which he co-directed with his brother Josh Safdie. Meanwhile, Josh has also been busy with his latest project, Marty Supreme, featuring Timothée Chalamet, which serves as a disorderly counterpart to The Smashing Machine. Both films received support from A24, which previously released Uncut Gems.
Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that The Smashing Machine will be available for streaming on HBO Max starting January 23, 2026. Following its underwhelming box office performance, the film is poised to potentially gain a following on HBO Max, particularly as Johnson and Blunt have both been nominated for Golden Globes in 2026 for their roles.
The Smashing Machine is scheduled for a January release on HBO Max, a promising time for the streaming service. Another anticipated A24 movie from 2025, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, will debut in the same month, alongside the premiere of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on January 18, a new original series and the second spinoff from the iconic Game of Thrones.
Initially surrounded by Oscar buzz, The Smashing Machine now appears unlikely to secure any nominations; the Golden Globes, after all, offer more opportunities for acting nominations than the Oscars. Marty Supreme, on the other hand, remains a strong contender for the 2026 Best Picture. Despite this, Benny Safdie is involved in some of the most anticipated releases of 2026.
Safdie will lend his voice to Bowser Jr. in The Super Mario Galaxy movie, a sequel to the 2023 blockbuster that grossed $1 billion. He is also set to appear as Agamemnon in Christopher Nolan’s newly teased The Odyssey. Additionally, Safdie is busy with his upcoming role as writer and director for the fantasy adventure, Lizard Music.
Johnson is also involved in Lizard Music, and has other major projects lined up including the live-action adaptation of Moana and new installments in the Fast & Furious franchise. Meanwhile, Blunt is set to return in the much-anticipated sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2, appearing alongside Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. However, before these, audiences will have a chance to see both actors in The Smashing Machine once it hits streaming services.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
