Netflix Hits Box Office with “KPop Demon Hunters”
LOS ANGELES — Netflix has made a notable splash in the movie industry with its recent release of “KPop Demon Hunters,” marking the first time the streaming giant has reached the No. 1 box office spot in its 18 years. Over the weekend, it raked in an estimated $16-18 million at theaters, according to sources familiar with the figures.
In an unusual move, Netflix rolled out the film in 1,750 theaters for special sing-along screenings on Saturday and Sunday, allowing fans to enjoy the movie in a communal environment. While some estimates suggested ticket sales could be as high as $20 million, the actual figures might vary due to the limited nature of the release. In an industry where traditional box office numbers are often publicly shared, Netflix’s decision not to disclose its own sales figures has been a sticking point with some other studios.
“KPop Demon Hunters,” which has proven to be one of Netflix’s all-time hits, was developed and produced by Sony Pictures before being sold to Netflix. This juxtaposition highlights a shift in Hollywood, where streaming services are now competing directly with traditional theaters.
Not all theater chains supported this particular release. AMC, the largest movie theater chain in North America, opted not to show the film. Nevertheless, Netflix has successfully carved out its place in the theatrical arena, challenging the status quo and showing that it can compete with established players in the film industry.
The film tells the story of a KPop girl group, Huntr/x, who also moonlight as demon hunters. The trio must defend their loyal fans against their toughest rival yet—a malevolent boy band disguised as humans.
Meanwhile, other films are still performing well. The horror film “Weapons” brought in $15.6 million during its third weekend and has exceeded $100 million globally. Disney’s “Freakier Friday” continued to show strength, earning $9.2 million in North America.
As the summer movie season draws to a close, industry experts consider the overall theater-going experience as a vital metric, beyond just ticket sales. Events that foster community and shared experiences can carry more weight than mere financial returns.
In other box office news, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” earned $5.9 million, while newcomer “Honey Don’t!” pulled in an estimated $3 million.
Here are the top 10 movies by domestic box office earnings from Friday to Sunday, based on estimates:
- “Weapons,” $15.6 million
- “Freakier Friday,” $9.2 million
- “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” $5.9 million
- “The Bad Guys 2,” $5.1 million
- “Nobody 2,” $3.7 million
- “Superman,” $3.4 million
- “Honey Don’t!,” $3 million
- “The Naked Gun,” $3 million
- “Jurassic World Rebirth,” $2.1 million
- “Relay,” $2 million
Overall, this weekend underscores a changing dynamic in the film industry, as traditional theaters and streaming giants find new ways to coexist and compete against each other.
