Hollywood was taken by surprise this weekend as KPop Demon Hunters, a Netflix original, stormed the box office, earning a staggering $18 million to $20 million. The animated musical, which was already a streaming giant, dethroned the projected weekend winner, Weapons, which earned a respectable $15.6 million. This outcome represents a major theatrical triumph for Netflix, a company that has traditionally prioritized streaming over cinema runs.
The film’s journey from a streaming exclusive to a box office champion is a testament to its cultural impact. Since its June premiere on Netflix, it has captivated a global audience, becoming the platform’s second-most-viewed movie ever. The catchy soundtrack has further fueled its popularity, producing multiple hit singles that have climbed the Billboard charts and become fan favorites.
The theatrical release was a unique two-day sing-along event held in 1,700 locations. The interactive format proved irresistible to fans, leading to over a thousand sold-out shows. The event’s success highlights a potential new strategy for streaming services to monetize their biggest hits. While most major exhibitors participated, AMC Theaters notably opted out, citing its policy against screening movies concurrently available on streaming platforms.
The movie’s plot centers on a popular K-pop girl group named Huntr/x, who lead double lives as demon slayers. Their mission is to protect their unsuspecting fanbase from a rival boy band of demons in disguise. The film’s success offers a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster summer for the box office, which has struggled to reach pre-pandemic earnings.