Netflix’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Secures First Box Office Victory

Netflix made history with its first No. 1 box-office title thanks to the success of “KPop Demon Hunters.” Over the weekend, estimates from rival studios put the film at the top with $16-18 million in ticket sales. Despite Netflix’s usual focus on streaming, they surprised everyone by putting the film in 1,750 theaters for special sing-along screenings on Saturday and Sunday. Some estimates even reached as high as $20 million, making it a standout moment for the movie industry.

Developed and produced by Sony Pictures, “KPop Demon Hunters” became a summer sensation, turning into a major hit for Netflix. The film follows Huntr/x, a KPop superstar trio who also happen to be demon hunters, as they face off against a rival boy band made up of demons in disguise.

While not all theaters showed the film, with AMC opting out, Netflix still claimed the box-office crown. It was called a “completely unique two-day musical event” by movie consulting expert David A. Gross. In a summer where things have been relatively quiet, this success story stands out along with the horror hit “Weapons,” which brought in $15.6 million domestically during its third weekend.

With success stories like these, it’s clear that there is still a lot of value in the theatrical experience, even as streaming takes center stage. As the summer movie season winds down, films like “Freakier Friday” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” continued to hold their own at the box office, showing that a good movie experience can create lasting goodwill among audiences.