In a rare foray into theatrical success, Netflix’s animated feature “KPop Demon Hunters” is projected to have dominated the North American box office with an estimated $18 million from a special weekend singalong event. Despite the streaming giant’s longstanding refusal to officially report its ticket sales, projections from rival studios and exhibitors point to a massive victory, signaling a powerful blend of music and film that resonated deeply with audiences.
The film, which was released on Netflix in June and quickly became its most-watched animated title, expanded into theatres across five countries for a unique fan experience. The event drew legions of dedicated fans eager to watch the story of a K-pop girl group battling demons with their music and to collectively sing along to the movie’s catchy soundtrack. This turned cinemas into vibrant concert venues for the weekend.
Due to Netflix’s lack of official reporting, the official weekend champion is expected to be the buzzy horror film “Weapons” from Warner Bros., which earned a solid $15.6 million in its third week. Meanwhile, other studio releases filled the charts, with Disney’s “Freakier Friday” sequel landing in third place with $9.2 million, followed by “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” at $5.9 million and “The Bad Guys 2” at $5.1 million.
Industry analysts highlighted the unprecedented nature of Netflix’s achievement. David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research noted that the streaming production connected with audiences on a level “that theatrical hits rarely reach,” creating a pop culture event defined by sold-out crowds, costumes, and immersive fun that transcends traditional movie-going.
