Klara and the Sun, the science-fiction drama starring Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams, opened to just $701,059 in North America over the weekend of 23–25 October 2026.
Released by Sony Pictures in 880 US cinemas, the film struggled to attract audiences despite its recognisable cast and the profile of director Taika Waititi. Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel, it follows a solar-powered artificial companion who tries to help a sick teenager and her family.
The film’s opening raises questions about its theatrical rollout, critical reception and appeal to viewers unfamiliar with the source material. With its limited cinema run and largely negative reviews, Klara and the Sun faces an uphill battle to improve its box office performance as its international release continues.
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Why Did Klara and the Sun Open So Low?
One problem was the film’s limited reach. Although Sony had planned a wide release, The Numbers records an opening across just 880 North American cinemas, with an average of roughly $797 per location. That is a modest return for a film featuring two internationally recognised actors.
According to Deadline’s box office report, Sony scaled back the theatrical rollout after the film struggled to generate interest. Fewer cinemas meant fewer opportunities to attract casual viewers, although the low demand also suggests that simply adding more screens might not have solved the problem.
The film’s worldwide earnings were also modest. The Numbers puts its worldwide gross at approximately $1.37 million at the time of reporting, including $668,601 from international markets.
Did Reviews Put Audiences Off?
Critical reception appears to have been another obstacle. The film received a largely negative response after its premiere at the BFI London Film Festival, with some reviewers arguing that the adaptation weakened the novel’s thoughtful exploration of technology, grief, and human connection.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the critics’ score stood at around 25%. The site’s consensus criticised the film for flattening the source material’s nuanced ideas with a broad approach that made its emotional moments feel overly sentimental. Klara and the Sun was not an established action franchise or a familiar blockbuster property. It needed strong reviews and recommendations to persuade people to spend money on a reflective science-fiction drama.
Waititi acknowledged the challenge of adapting the novel in an interview with Variety, saying he wanted to retain its tone rather than turn it into “full-blown entertainment and spectacle”. That artistic choice may have helped preserve the book’s character, but it also left the film with a harder marketing proposition.
Were Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams Enough to Draw Fans?
Ortega has built a substantial following through Wednesday and the Scream films, while Adams has a long record of acclaimed performances. However, their presence does not guarantee that audiences will follow them into every genre.
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