In a turn of events that has Hollywood buzzing, Netflix’s animated musical KPop Demon Hunters has topped the domestic box office charts. The film, which was already a massive hit on the streaming service, generated between $18 million and $20 million in ticket sales from a special weekend sing-along event. This unexpected result saw it outperform established theatrical releases like Weapons.
The film’s theatrical victory was built on the foundation of its extraordinary streaming performance. After premiering on Netflix, it quickly became a cultural touchstone and the service’s second-most-watched film ever. The popularity of its music was a major factor, with fans embracing the soundtrack and propelling its songs up the music charts.
To bring this phenomenon to cinemas, Netflix partnered with exhibitors for a limited engagement in 1,700 locations. The sing-along format was a massive draw, turning movie screenings into interactive fan events and leading to a huge number of sold-out shows. The event’s success demonstrates a new pathway for streaming content to generate theatrical revenue, even with major players like AMC Theaters sitting out.
The plot of KPop Demon Hunters is as unique as its release strategy, featuring a K-pop girl group who fight supernatural threats in their spare time. This fresh concept, combined with its fantastic music, has made it a standout hit, injecting some much-needed excitement into the end-of-summer box office.