Taylor Swift has once again proven her pull at the box office. Her film event “The Official Release Party of a Showgirl” earned $15.8 million on its opening Friday, positioning it as the likely weekend champ. The movie played in more than 3,700 theaters across the U.S.
The film is a special cinematic experience tied to Swift’s 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. Rather than a traditional narrative, it combines behind-the-scenes footage, commentary by Swift, lyric videos, and the world premiere of her new music video “The Fate of Ophelia.”
Industry watchers expect the film to dominate the weekend box office, especially given its strong first-day numbers. Early forecasts suggest an opening weekend haul in the $30–$35 million range.
While Swift takes the top spot, Dwayne Johnson’s new film “The Smashing Machine” is holding firm in third place. Though it trails behind Swift’s event, it continues to draw audiences with strong interest in the action and star appeal. The second position for Friday was claimed by One Battle After Another, which collected about $3.3 million.
Part of Swift’s success stems from her loyal fan base and savvy release strategy. The film is a limited theatrical event held over October 3–5, intended to celebrate and promote her new album. The album The Life of a Showgirl dropped the same day, intensifying the excitement.
Critics have had mixed opinions. Some praise the intimate and fan-driven nature of the event, while others call it a lightweight venture leaning more on spectacle than substance. Still, that hasn’t stopped audiences from showing up and Swift from reclaiming her status as both pop icon and box office force.
As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Swift’s “Showgirl” event can sustain momentum and whether Smashing Machine can climb.
