Jenna Ortega's New Sci-Fi Film Posts Worst Domestic Opening in Four Years

Jenna Ortega's latest sci-fi movie has stumbled at the box office, recording the lowest domestic opening weekend for a wide-release film in four years. The film, which opened in theaters nationwide, failed to connect with audiences despite Ortega's rising star power following her breakout role in Netflix's Wednesday. Industry analysts point to a combination of lukewarm reviews, a crowded release calendar, and a premise that struggled to stand out in a genre saturated with high-concept fare. The record-low debut underscores the volatile nature of the current theatrical market, where even established talent cannot guarantee a strong opening. For Ortega, the result is a rare setback in an otherwise meteoric career, but it also highlights the growing divide between streaming popularity and box office draw. As studios recalibrate their release strategies, this performance may serve as a cautionary tale for mid-budget sci-fi projects. The coming weeks will reveal whether international markets can offset the domestic shortfall, but the film's fate is already sealed as a historic underperformer.