KPop Demon Hunters Box Office: Netflix Breaks Records

The KPop Demon Hunters box office numbers are turning heads as the singalong version is projected to earn between $18 million and $20 million this weekend. The impressive part? It’s reaching this milestone with screenings only on Saturday and Sunday, making it the number-one domestic movie of the weekend.

Why the KPop Demon Hunters Box Office Surge Matters

This moment marks a first for Netflix, even though other streamers have topped the box office before. Earlier this year, Apple’s F1 debuted with a massive $57 million. But Netflix traditionally avoids theatrical pushes, so the KPop Demon Hunters box office success stands out.

It’s worth noting that these numbers come from industry estimates, because Netflix does not release official box office data.

The weekend was also quiet in terms of new releases. “Weapons” followed with $15.4 million in its third week, bringing its total to $115 million. Netflix’s previous theatrical ventures — like the limited run of Glass Onion — were much smaller. With Greta Gerwig’s Narnia coming to Imax next fall, Netflix may see even bigger theatrical moments.

Streaming Success Fueling Theatrical Momentum

One surprising factor is that KPop Demon Hunters has been available on Netflix since late June. Despite that, the singalong release is still packing cinemas. The film has already become Netflix’s number two most-watched movie of all time, racking up more than 210 million views.

Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the story follows a K-Pop girl group fighting demons — including a rival boy band — and features a primarily Korean and Korean American voice cast. Its popularity has also been driven by the hit song “Golden,” which topped Billboard charts and earned over 400 million Spotify streams.

Theatrical Chains and Cultural Impact

Although AMC Theatres refused to screen the singalong version due to its non-exclusive release, most major chains embraced it. That support helped the film secure this major theatrical breakthrough for Netflix.

The KPop Demon Hunters box office momentum shows how strong fan engagement can push a streaming title into traditional cinema success.