Netflix's 'Kpop Demon Hunters' Tops Weekend Box Office with $18M

Netflix's animated musical "Kpop Demon Hunters" led the weekend box office, earning at least $18M and dethroning "Weapons" from Warner Bros. The film's success marks a new milestone for the streaming giant's foray into the world of animation.

Netflix's animated musical "KPop Demon Hunters" has made history by leading the weekend box office, earning at least $18 million and dethroning "Weapons" from Warner Bros. The film's success marks a new milestone for the streaming giant's foray into the world of animation [1].

The film, produced by Sony Pictures Animation, was released in theaters for a two-day sing-along event on August 23 and 24, responding to mounting fan demand following its June 20 streaming debut. "KPop Demon Hunters" is estimated to have grossed $18 million to $20 million over the weekend, according to industry publication Variety [2].

This theatrical release is out of the ordinary for Netflix, which has long emphasized subscriber releases. The film's success is a rare win at the theaters for the streaming giant, which usually avoids chasing box office revenue for its original movies. The film's soundtrack, featuring three original tunes, has topped Billboard and Spotify charts, contributing to its global sensation [3].

While streaming rivals like Apple and Amazon have used theatrical releases to boost revenue and awareness, Netflix has largely stuck to its core strategy. The company has only put a few films in theaters, typically to qualify for awards consideration. "KPop Demon Hunters" is available on Netflix's platform and is currently the most-watched animated original film on the platform [1].

The film centers on Huntr/x, a KPop superstar trio who double as demon hunters. The members, Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zooey (Ji-young Yoo), must protect their fans and face their biggest enemy yet: a rival boy band made up of demons in disguise. The film's success is a testament to the power of KPop and the growing demand for animated content in the streaming landscape [2].

The film's success comes as the box office heads into a rather quiet finish for the summer. The overall box office is currently 5.1% ahead of last year, a margin that has been rapidly shrinking over the past few months. Ticket sales are currently at $3.5 billion from May through late August, the four-month stretch that is regularly the busiest of the year for the movie theater business [3].

References:
[1] https://www.marketwatch.com/story/netflix-appears-to-have-its-first-no-1-box-office-hit-with-kpop-demon-hunters-8f03b775
[2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-24/netflix-s-kpop-demon-hunters-tops-box-office-in-rare-event
[3] https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/box-office-kpop-demon-hunters-leads-box-office-over-weapons-1236497070/