Klara and the Sun Opens to $550,000, a Low for Ortega and Waititi
The adaptation played in 880 theaters and averaged $625 per screen, the weakest debut average of Jenna Ortega's and Taika Waititi's domestic careers.
Klara and the Sun opened in domestic theaters on October 23, 2026, earning $550,000 over its three-day opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo. The film played in 880 theaters, for a per-screen average of $625.
That average is the lowest of any domestic release starring Jenna Ortega, who plays the android Klara, and the lowest of any domestic release directed by Taika Waititi, who also co-wrote the film. It places at No. 248 on the all-time chart of lowest debut per-screen averages.
The adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel has a 25% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. Mia Tharia plays Josie, the ill daughter at the center of the story, with Aran Murphy, Rachel House, Natasha Lyonne, Steve Buscemi and Amy Adams also in the cast.
Previous benchmarks
Ortega's previous lowest debut per-screen average came in 2022, when Studio 666 averaged $668 per screen in its opening weekend. Waititi's earlier directorial debuts ranged from $1,116 for 2023's Next Goal Wins to $69,911 for 2019's Jojo Rabbit.
Quick answers
How much did Klara and the Sun make in its opening weekend?
It earned $550,000 over its three-day domestic opening weekend, playing in 880 theaters.
What was Klara and the Sun's per-screen average?
The film averaged $625 per screen, the lowest debut average of any domestic release starring Jenna Ortega or directed by Taika Waititi.
When did Klara and the Sun open in theaters?
It opened in domestic theaters on October 23, 2026.