Taika Waititi Jenna Ortega Sci-Fi Movie Flops in Theaters

Oscar-winning director Taika Waititi's latest science-fiction feature, Klara and the Sun, has suffered a severe commercial stumble upon its theatrical launch in North America. Released by Sony Pictures over the late October 2026 weekend, the literary adaptation starring Jenna Ortega debuted to an underwhelming $725,000 across 880 cinemas, finishing outside the domestic top ten. Compounded by a 25% critical approval score on Rotten Tomatoes, the production marks a second consecutive theatrical disappointment for Waititi following 2023's Next Goal Wins. For international film followers and cinema-goers in Malaysia tracking major Hollywood releases, the title's commercial collapse complicates its global theatrical rollout and potential platform distribution, with local release schedules remaining unannounced.

Key Facts

Why Did Klara and the Sun Fail at the Box Office?

Klara and the Sun failed to attract theatrical audiences due to a combination of weak reviews, modest screen distribution, and formidable box office competition. Opening to $725,000 on 880 screens, the film generated a low $824 per-screen average while being overshadowed by competing theatrical releases in domestic cinemas.

According to analysis reported by SlashFilm, the feature was thoroughly sidelined by DC Universe's Clayface, which opened at number one with a $24 million debut, alongside the breakout word-of-mouth success of A24's You Can See Everything. The poor 25% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes further undermined audience interest for the Kazuo Ishiguro adaptation, which follows Klara (Jenna Ortega), an Artificial Friend who forms a bond with a girl named Josie (Mia Tharia). Sony Pictures' Klara and the Sun debuted outside the domestic top ten with a $725,000 opening weekend average of just $824 across 880 screens.

What Does This Mean for Taika Waititi's Directorial Career?

The film's performance places Taika Waititi under mounting commercial scrutiny after back-to-back box office misfires and television cancellations. Following the commercial failure of 2023's Next Goal Wins, an opening this soft threatens to limit the filmmaker's access to major studio funding and prospective high-profile franchise projects.

Waititi previously achieved significant industry clout by revitalising Marvel Studios' Thor: Ragnarok in 2017 to an $850 million global run, followed by an Academy Award for the screenplay of Jojo Rabbit, which grossed nearly $90 million against a $14 million budget. However, 2022's Thor: Love and Thunder showed signs of critical wear despite grossing $760 million, and 2023's Next Goal Wins took in less than $19 million worldwide against a $14 million budget. With the recent cancellation of Apple TV+'s Time Bandits after a single season and persistent uncertainty surrounding his proposed Star Wars feature, commentators suggest Waititi faces industry sidelining unless he mounts a low-budget return to form. Waititi's Klara and the Sun carries a reported $20 million production budget following the commercial failure of his 2023 feature Next Goal Wins.

What It Means for Viewers in Malaysia

The Malaysian cinema release date and theatrical exhibition plans for Klara and the Sun have not been confirmed by local exhibitors or Sony Pictures. Furthermore, censorship classification by the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia (LPF) and potential availability across local cinema chains or streaming platforms remain unannounced.

Because the source material does not identify an international distribution schedule, it remains unverified whether Malaysian cinema operators such as Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), TGV Cinemas, MBO Cinemas, or Lotus Five Star (LFS) will screen the feature. Similarly, no home video, video-on-demand, or streaming premiere has been confirmed for regional platforms including Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Prime Video, HBO Max, Viu, iQIYI, or Astro. Given the reported $20 million production budget, the studio may attempt to recoup costs through ancillary digital and streaming windows, but specific territory agreements for Malaysia are not yet established. Malaysian theatrical release dates, LPF ratings, and regional streaming platform availability for Klara and the Sun have not been confirmed.

Common Questions

What is the plot of Klara and the Sun?

Adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro's 2021 novel, the film centres on an Artificial Friend named Klara, played by Jenna Ortega, who bonds with an ailing girl named Josie, portrayed by Mia Tharia, attempting to heal the family with unwavering loyalty.

How much did Klara and the Sun earn during its opening weekend?

The film opened to $725,000 across 880 domestic screens in North America, generating an average of $824 per screen and placing it outside the box office top ten.

Is Klara and the Sun available to stream in Malaysia?

Streaming availability for Klara and the Sun in Malaysia has not been confirmed. The source material does not list any domestic or international streaming service agreements for the Sony Pictures release.

Sources and Methodology

Information in this report is derived from reporting by Ryan Scott for entertainment trade outlet SlashFilm, published on 27 October 2026. Financial figures are cited in original US Dollar denominations as stated in the source, with Malaysian Ringgit conversions provided strictly as estimates for regional perspective based on contemporary conversion rates. All production metrics, critical aggregates, and box office rankings are attributed directly to primary source documentation.