“Klara and the Sun” Opens to Record‑Low Weekend The science‑fiction fantasy film Klara and the Sun, directed by Oscar‑winner Taika Waititi and starring Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams, opened in U.S. and Canadian theaters on October 23. The film earned only about $725,000 across 880 screens, ranking 14th at the domestic box office and averaging $823 per theater. The opening is the lowest for a wide release featuring Ortega in the lead role and the lowest for Waititi’s debut as a feature director. Sony Pictures limited the film’s release to fewer than 1,000 theaters. The production budget was reported at $20 million. Klara and the Sun received a 24 % rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics citing a comedic treatment that they say undermines the deeper themes of the original novel. The film’s performance contrasts sharply with Ortega’s recent successes. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opened to more than $110 million in the United States in 2024. Prior to its release, Boxoffice Pro had projected a domestic opening between $6 million and $10 million for Klara and the Sun, a range the film fell far short of. The movie follows Klara, an “Artificial Friend” who believes the Sun is a divine force that can bring good into the world. After being purchased, she forms a close bond with Josie, a sickly teenager with a complicated family. Amy Adams also appears in the cast.