Movies

Dwayne Johnson’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ now streaming after theatrical run ends

Johnson says box office numbers don’t define the role that pushed him furthest

Laiba Baaz

3 weeks ago

Dwayne Johnson’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ now streaming after theatrical run ends

Johnson says box office numbers don’t define the role that pushed him furthest

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s sports biopic The Smashing Machine is heading to streaming.

The film directed by Benny Safdie stars Johnson as mixed martial artist Mark Kerr a dominant UFC fighter whose career was overshadowed by addiction and personal struggles.

Emily Blunt co-stars as Kerr’s partner Dawn Staples.

Johnson is nearly unrecognisable in the role. Kerr who was known by the nickname of “The Smashing Machine” had won the UFC Heavyweight Tournament twice.

His rise and fall were first explored in a 2002 HBO documentary of the same name.

Despite heavy buzz the movie struggled in theatres. It debuted to just $6 million at the box office.

Still Johnson has said the role marked a turning point in his career.

“From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched The Smashing Machine,” Johnson wrote on Instagram in October.

“You can’t control box office results but you can control your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear.”

He added that playing Kerr “has changed my life.”

Speaking during a post-premiere Q&A at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025 Johnson said, “I had waited for this opportunity for such a long time. I pushed for more and I wanted more.”