Clika
2026 American drama film
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Clika is a 2026 American drama film written and directed by Michael Greene and co-written by Jimmy Humilde and Sean McBride. It stars Jay Dee, Cristian Gutierrez, Daniel Lopez, Laura Lopez, Nana Ponceleon, OhGeesy, Uziel Pantoja, Josh Benitez, Francine Sena, Percy Miller, Peter Greene, and Eric Roberts.
- Michael Greene
- Jimmy Humilde
- Sean McBride
- JayDee
- Cristian Gutierrez
- Daniel Lopez
- Laura Lopez
- Nana Ponceleon
- OhGeesy
- Percy Miller
- Peter Greene
- Eric Roberts
| Clika | |
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Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Greene |
| Screenplay by |
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| Produced by | Jimmy Humilde |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography |
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| Edited by |
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Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Releasing |
Release dates |
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Running time | 83 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $3 million |
Clika premiered at the TCL Chinese Theater on January 20, 2026, and was released in the United States on January 23, by Columbia Pictures through Sony Pictures Releasing. The film received negative reviews from critics and grossed $3 million.
Premise
"A small town musician pushes to carve out a place for himself in the new wave of Mexican-American music after a clip of him performing one of his songs goes viral."[2]
Cast
- Jay Dee as Chito
- Cristian Gutierrez as Alfredo
- Daniel Lopez as Blunt
- Laura Lopez as Candy
- Nana Ponceleon as Mari
- OhGeesy as OhGeesy
- Eric Roberts as Angelo
- Uziel Pantoja as Flaco
- Josh Benitez as Chuy
- Francine Sena as Chela
- Percy Miller as Bullet
- Peter Greene as Lieutenant Jones
Production
In March 2025, it was announced that Clika was directed by Michael Greene and written by Greene, Jimmy Humilde, and Sean McBride.[3] Filming took place in Yuba City on 2023,[4] with Ski-ter Jones and Jeffrey Carolan serving as the cinematographer.[5][6][7] Tess Karmann and Maryann Brandon edited the film, with the latter being added by Sony to work on the film.[8] The film took inspirations of Friday, 8 Mile, and Boyz in the Hood.[9]
Release
Clika premiered at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles on January 20, 2026,[10] and was released in the United States on January 23.[11] It was originally scheduled to release in the United States on August 15, 2025. However, it was later silently removed from the schedule for unknown reasons.[3]
Reception
Box office
As of February 16, 2026[update], Clika has grossed $3 million in the United States and Canada.[12][2]
Clika was released alongside Mercy, Return to Silent Hill, and wide releases of Arco and H Is for Hawk. The film opened in 522 theaters, and grossed $1.26 million on its opening weekend.[13]
Critical reception
Clika received negative reviews from critics.[14] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 10% of 10 critics' reviews are positive.[15]
Brandon Yu of The New York Times wrote "What glaringly sheds in its performances and direction is some of the sturdiness of a more traditional Hollywood production. But that also matters less in a movie like this, one clearly made, with love and belief, by and for the people it centers".[16]
Monica Castillo of RogerEbert.com criticized the "electricity and excitement" of the film.[17]
Katie Walsh of The Seattle Times criticized the clichés, dialogue and narration of the film, as well as the plot points, and wrote that the emotional stakes aren't legible.[18]