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.
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.
Contents
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. Principal photography took place in Yuba City on 2023, with Ski-ter Jones and Jeffrey Carolan serving as the cinematographer. Tess Karmann and Maryann Brandon edited the film, with the latter being added by Sony to work on the film. Friday, 8 Mile, and Boyz in the Hood served as inspirations for the film.
Release
Clika premiered at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles on January 20, 2026, and was released in the United States on January 23. 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.
Reception
Box office
As of February 16, 2026, Clika has grossed $3 million in the United States and Canada.
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.
Critical reception
Clika received negative reviews from critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 10% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.1/10.
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".
Monica Castillo of RogerEbert.com criticized the "electricity and excitement" of the film.
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.
