Netflix may be known for streaming, but this weekend it’s rewriting the rules of box office success. Its animated hit KPop Demon Hunters is now the number one movie in U.S. theaters, on track to earn between $18 million and $20 million during its limited theatrical singalong release. Even more impressive? It only played for two days, Saturday and Sunday, yet still managed to top the charts.
While Apple recently made waves with F1, which debuted at $57 million earlier this summer, KPop Demon Hunters marks the first time Netflix has ever claimed the top theatrical spot. For a company that has traditionally avoided wide theatrical releases, this is a historic moment.
Industry analysts point out that Netflix itself hasn’t released official numbers; these estimates come from external sources, but the milestone remains effective. On an otherwise quiet weekend, the only close competitor was Weapons, which added $15.4 million in its third week, bringing its total to $115 million domestically.
What makes this feat even more surprising is that KPop Demon Hunters has already been available on Netflix since late June. Despite that, audiences still flocked to theaters to experience the film’s high-energy K-Pop soundtrack and vibrant visuals on the big screen. The movie has become Netflix’s second most-watched film of all time, racking up over 210 million views worldwide sitting neatly between Red Notice and Carry-On.
The soundtrack has also taken on a life of its own. “Golden,” the standout track from the film, hit number one on the Billboard charts and has already crossed 400 million streams on Spotify, proving the cultural pull of K-Pop remains unstoppable.
Produced by Sony Pictures Animation with a largely Korean and Korean American voice cast, KPop Demon Hunters blends the infectious charm of a girl group with the supernatural thrill of demon battles. It’s a wild, creative concept that’s clearly resonating with fans across the globe.
While AMC Theatres refused to screen the sing-along version due to Netflix’s nontraditional release strategy, other chains embraced it, and audiences showed up in full force. With Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia adaptation also set for a large-scale release, it seems Netflix is slowly but surely leaning toward cinema.
For now, KPop Demon Hunters isn’t just another streaming success story – it’s Netflix’s biggest theatrical victory yet.
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