A sing-along version of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters scored a box office victory in the US this weekend, earning about $18 million to $20 million in box office takings on Saturday (August 23) and Sunday (August 24).
That’s according to Variety, which reported on Sunday (August 24) that the film outpaced Warner Bros.’ horror film Weapons in its third weekend of release. Weapons was reportedly expected to claim the weekend title with $15.6 million from 3,631 North American theaters.
The box office turnover of the animated musical was a rare theatrical win for Netflix, which typically avoids wide cinema releases.
The company hasn’t reported official gross sales, but Variety reported, citing “knowledgeable sources” that KPop Demon Hunters played on 1,700 screens across the United States.
Netflix announced on Sunday that Arden Cho, May Hong, Ken Jeong, vocalists REI AMI and Kevin Woo, directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, and producer Michelle L.M. Wong surprised fans of the film in theaters in New York and Los Angeles over the weekend.
Following the limited theatrical event, which Netflix said “featured more than 1,000 sold-out screenings,” the streamer confirmed that the sing-along version will debut on Netflix today (August 25).
Sony Pictures Animation produced KPop Demon Hunters.
The movie follows fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X, whose members secretly moonlight as demon hunters tasked with maintaining a magical barrier that protects humans from the dark underworld. It also features HUNTR/X’s nemeses, bad-boy group Saja Boys.
Since its streaming debut, the movie has become Netflix’s second-most watched English-language film ever and the most-viewed original animated film on the platform of all time.
As MBW previously reported, the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, released via Visva/Republic Records, has become the highest-charting soundtrack of 2025, with the album peaking at No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard 200. Seven songs from the soundtrack landed on the Billboard Hot 100.
Last week, HUNTR/X’s Golden added a fifth straight week at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Exc. US charts. The fictional K-pop group’s How It’s Done also earned its second Top 5 Global 200 hit.
“For 48 hours, this made-for-television film is playing to sold-out audiences who are singing, dancing, dressing up and losing themselves in the fun. That’s pop entertainment at its best.”
David A. Gross, Franchise Entertainment Research
Analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research was quoted by Variety as saying: “For 48 hours, this made-for-television film is playing to sold-out audiences who are singing, dancing, dressing up and losing themselves in the fun. That’s pop entertainment at its best.”
“There is no CinemaScore, but audiences, particularly kids, love this movie. That’s why it’s here.”
However, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter noted that AMC Theatres, the world’s dominant cinema chain, refused to participate in playing the re-release of KPop Demon Hunters in cinemas. THR said rival chains Regal and Cinemark, along with Alamo Drafthouse and other cinema operators embraced the opportunity during the slow summer weekend.
Meanwhile, Variety said the overall box office remains 5.1% ahead of last year, although that margin has shrunk from the 25% lead recorded in early June. Summer ticket sales currently stand at $3.5 billion through late August, well short of the $4 billion benchmark that was common before the pandemic, said Variety.
Senior Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian told the news outlet: “This is one of the slowest weekends of the year as we head into the final week and a half of the summer. It’s not great news in terms of the summer revenue outlook.”
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