‘KPop Demon Hunters’ might win the box office. Why Netflix won’t say

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A wave of purple and hot pink hair and cartoon K-pop bops is taking over multiplexes.

During autumn, as summer’s high-grossing movies are now behind us with only a handful of fresh releases, it was anticipated that cinema ticket sales would experience a slowdown this weekend.

Initially, Netflix stunned everyone by announcing that it would be premiering its popular animated movie “KPop Demon Hunters” in theaters for sing-along showings this weekend. This movie, which has already become a sensation on streaming platforms, is set to hit the big screen.

The film is set to be displayed on over 1,750 screens across the U.S. and Canada, with approximately 1,150 shows already sold out as of Thursday, according to industry reports. This represents a notable venture by Netflix into theatrical releases, where they are leveraging the big-screen experience to maximize and publicize one of their most successful productions.

Crowded venues are found at the movie theaters belonging to Dallas-based Look Dine-In Cinemas, with establishments located in Glendale, Redlands, Downey, and Monrovia.

According to Look’s CEO, Brian Schultz, this will likely be the main attraction for the upcoming weekend. We might showcase it on all screens in our auditorium.

Is the theatrical release actually going to shine brightly, similar to one of the catchiest tunes from the musical? That’s a question we can’t answer definitively yet; it will only reveal its brilliance to a certain extent.

Netflix, headquartered in Los Gatos, has chosen not to disclose its box office earnings, continuing with their established practice that has been a source of frustration for industry experts. However, based on advance ticket sales, the movie is projected to earn between $16 million and $22 million, according to forecasts from Box Office Theory. If Netflix were to report this figure, it would surpass the anticipated top-grossing domestic film, “Weapons,” in earnings.

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Netflix is expanding its collection of reality TV series, providing a platform that propels the professional careers of individuals such as Harry Jowsey.

The unexpected launch is a delight for cinema operators, especially during the summer lull when even long-running hits like Warner Bros.’ horror movie “Weapons” have been screened for weeks. However, it also highlights the complicated dynamic between exhibitors and Netflix, a company known for bypassing traditional cinema releases.

The streamer temporarily showcased movies in movie theaters to be nominated for Oscars, similar to how it did with “Roma” and “The Irishman”. It also provided a short theater screening for Rian Johnson’s 2022 comedy “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”. (Additionally, it plans a three-week exclusive theatrical run for Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” in October.)

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I’ve always appreciated the unique charm of cinema halls. However, when it comes to Netflix, they’ve been consistently emphasizing their goal isn’t about expanding into the traditional theater business, but rather boosting their subscriber count. Earlier this year, Ted Sarandos, one of Netflix’s co-CEOs, described the conventional theatrical experience as something that feels outdated to many people today. Whenever Netflix does release movies in theaters, they consider it more as a marketing strategy than a core part of their business model.

This situation has resulted in persistent criticisms from movie theater proprietors, who contend that streaming services have negatively impacted their businesses by encouraging viewers to delay watching movies until they become accessible at home instead of going to theaters.

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Given the current wave of comedic movies in cinemas, filmmakers are optimistic that viewers will choose shared laughter in theatres instead.

Netflix and a significant portion of the film theater industry have been dancing around the line as friends-turned-competitors, or even open rivals, for quite some time. As we’ve seen this past weekend, it might be advantageous for them to collaborate more frequently, benefiting both parties in the long run, according to Shawn Robbins, head of movie analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory, expressed via email.

The movie, created by Sony Pictures Animation based in Culver City, holds the title as Netflix’s most-viewed original animated film to date, as stated by the streaming service itself.

Currently, the Netflix film “Red Notice,” featuring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot, holds the position as the platform’s second-most-viewed movie, trailing only behind it. The soundtrack of this action-comedy has also gained popularity, with the track “Golden” climbing to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and maintaining a high rank ever since.

In simpler terms, “KPop Demon Hunters” centers around a renowned girl group named Huntr/x, who employ their music and dance routines to combat evil entities, such as a demon boy band. The film has given birth to various amusing internet sensations, notably close-ups highlighting the characters’ emotionally captivating facial expressions.

Heather Hollingsworth and her 10-year-old daughter, Kayleigh, were captivated by the music and empowering female characters of “KPop Demon Hunters,” resulting in multiple viewings. They are set to watch it again this weekend with Kayleigh’s best friend and her mom. Among the songs, “Golden” is Hollingsworth’s favorite and the one that frequently plays on repeat in her mind.

Hollingsworth, a 41-year-old speech language pathologist from Littleton, CO, remarked, “The songs are incredibly infectious,” and added, “Moreover, the characters’ strength lying in their vulnerability – that deep bond of friendship – carries an exceptionally potent message.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’d rather immerse myself in the cinematic world of “KPop Demon Hunters” on the big screen, rather than streaming it at home. The allure of a theatrical screening lies not only in the visual and auditory spectacle but also in the shared experience with fellow cinephiles.

She mentioned that experiencing a film in a cinema is significantly more enjoyable for children, especially.

At Look Cinemas, sing-alongs have consistently generated substantial revenue and frequently lead to requests for event bookings, as noted by Schultz. In fact, tickets for the movie “KPop Demon Hunters” are being bought in significant quantities.

“It’s going to make for a very fun weekend,” he said.

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2025-08-23 00:01