This weekend, the conventional wisdom of the movie industry was turned on its head by KPop Demon Hunters. The Netflix animated film achieved a stunning box office victory, pulling in an estimated $18 million to $20 million and outperforming all other films in theaters. This accomplishment is particularly notable as it was achieved through a limited, two-day sing-along event for a movie already on a streaming platform.
The film’s path to theatrical glory started with its overwhelming success on Netflix. Since its debut, it has captivated viewers worldwide, becoming the service’s second-most-watched movie and spawning a hit soundtrack. This massive built-in audience was the key to its ability to draw crowds to cinemas, challenging the traditional theatrical release window.
The event’s scale was considerable, with screenings in 1,700 North American theaters. The interactive sing-along nature of the screenings proved to be a powerful draw, leading to widespread sellouts and demonstrating a strong appetite for communal fan experiences. This success came despite the refusal of AMC Theaters, the largest cinema chain, to participate, though other major exhibitors eagerly filled the void.
KPop Demon Hunters tells the story of a girl group that moonlights as demon fighters, protecting their fans from a rival band of supernatural foes. Hailed by Netflix as an example of its commitment to “bold ideas,” the film’s box office performance has certainly lived up to that description, shaking up the industry in the process.