One of Lehigh Valley’s champs, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is getting Oscar-nomination buzz for his title role in “The Smashing Machine.”

The Sports Biography film (MPA Rated R; Run time: 2 hours, 3 minutes), opening Oct. 3, is based on the true story of Mixed Martial Arts fighter and UFC champion Mark Kerr (played by Dwayne Johnson).

Johnson (“Jumanji” franchise, “Moana”; “Jungle Cruise”; WWE wrestler “The Rock”) graduated in 1990 from Freedom High School, Bethlehem Area School District, where he played defensive tackle on the Patriots’ football team and was on the track and field and wrestling teams.

Kerr’s wife is played by Johnson’s “Jungle Cruise” co-star Emily Blunt (Oscar nominee, supporting actress, “Oppenheimer,” 2023).

Benny Safdie directs “The Smashing Machine” from his own screenplay.

Safdie co-directed the acclaimed “Uncut Gems” (2019), nominated for five Independent Spirit Awards, winning male lead for Adam Sandler.

“The Smashing Machine” was nominated as best film and Safdie won the Silver Lion as best feature film director at the 2025 Venice Film Festival.

Also opening Oct. 3:

“Bone Lake,” MPA rated R; 1 hour, 34 minutes. Mercedes Bryce Morgan directs Alex Roe, Maddie Hasson, Marco Pigossi and Andra Nechita in the Horror film. A couple’s vacation is interrupted when they must share accommodations with a mysterious couple.

“Good Boy,” MPA rated PG-13; 1 hour, 12 minutes. Ben Leonberg directs Shane Jensen, Arielle Friedman and Indy the dog in the Comedy Thriller. A dog discovers supernatural forces in his family’s new home.

“Coyotes,” MPA rated R; 1 hour, 32 minutes. Colin Minihan directs Mila Harris, Brittany Allen, Justin Long and Kate Bosworth in the Comedy Horror film. A family is trapped in their Hollywood Hills home, battling wildfires and coyotes.

Movie opening dates from Internet Movie Database as of Sept. 28 are subject to change.

Theatrical Movies Domestic Weekend Box Office, Sept. 26-28: “One Battle After Another,” with Paul Thomas Anderson directing Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor and Benicio Del Toro in the Crime, Comedy, Action film, battled to No.1, opening with $22.4 million in 3,634 theaters.

““Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie,” with Kristen Wiig, Gloria Estefan and Kyle Mooney in the DreamWorks Live Action Computer Generated Imagery Animation, Fantasy Comedy, opened at No. 2 with $13.7 million in 3,500 theaters.

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle - Part 1: Akaza Returns” dropped two places from its two-weeks at No. 1 to No. 3 with $7.1 million in 2,984 theaters, $118.1 million, three weeks.

4. “The Conjuring: Last Rites” dropped one place, $6.8 million in 3,083 theaters, $161.4 million, four weeks. 5. “The Strangers: Chapter 2,” director Renny Harlin’s Horror film, $5.9 million in 2,690 theaters, opening. 6. “Him” dropped four places, $3.6 million in 3,168 theaters, $20.7 million, two weeks. 7. “The Long Walk” dropped two places, $3.4 million in 2,297 theaters, $28.8 million, three weeks. 8. “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” dropped four places, $3.3 million in 2,829 theaters, $38.9 million, three weeks. 9. ”Spider-Man,” “Spider-Man 2, “Spider-Man 3” re-releases, $2.2 million in 1,485 theaters. 10. “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,” $1.2 million in 3,330 theaters, $5.9 million, two weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Sept. 28 is subject to change.