Netflix's Animated Musical 'KPop Demon Hunters' Tops US Box Office in Rare Theatrical Release

Netflix's animated musical "KPop Demon Hunters" topped the US and Canadian box office with an estimated $18-20 million over the weekend, beating out Warner Bros. Discovery's horror picture "Weapons". The film, produced by Sony Pictures Animation, was released as a one-weekend only event after mounting fan demand following its streaming debut in June. It is now on track to become Netflix's most-watched English-language film.

Netflix's animated musical "KPop Demon Hunters" has made a significant impact on the box office, grossing an estimated $18 million to $20 million over the weekend, according to Variety [1]. This marks a rare event for the streaming giant, which typically avoids chasing box office revenue for its original movies. The film, produced by Sony Pictures Animation, topped the US and Canadian box offices, edging out Warner Bros. Discovery's horror picture "Weapons."

The one-weekend-only theatrical release of "KPop Demon Hunters" was a response to mounting fan demand following its June 20 streaming debut. The film is now on track to become Netflix's most-watched English-language film, surpassing the 2021 comedy-action film "Red Notice." Although produced in the US by Sony, the film has turned into a global sensation, with its soundtrack topping Billboard and Spotify charts.

This move by Netflix signifies a shift in its content strategy, as the company has traditionally focused on its subscribers and has only put a few films in theaters, typically to qualify for awards consideration. While streaming rivals such as Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. have used theatrical releases to boost revenue and awareness for their films, Netflix has largely stuck to its core strategy. However, the success of "KPop Demon Hunters" suggests that the company may be reconsidering its approach to theatrical releases.

The news comes as Netflix is facing increased competition from other streaming platforms. The streaming giant has been riding a wave of global growth, with strong Q2 results and hit releases like "Squid Game 3" and "Stranger Things 5" boosting subscribers [3]. However, the company is looking to diversify its content offerings and compete with other platforms.

The success of "KPop Demon Hunters" also coincides with the departure of the Duffer Brothers, creators of "Stranger Things," from Netflix. The brothers have signed an exclusive deal with Paramount Skydance, driven by their desire to create tentpole films, a category where Netflix has traditionally struggled [2]. This move marks a significant shift for both parties and could signal a shift in the streaming wars.

In conclusion, Netflix's animated musical "KPop Demon Hunters" has made a notable impact on the box office, boosting the company's content strategy. The film's success and the departure of the Duffer Brothers from Netflix suggest a changing landscape in the streaming industry.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-24/netflix-s-kpop-demon-hunters-tops-box-office-in-rare-event
[2] https://www.ainvest.com/news/stranger-creators-duffer-brothers-exit-netflix-sign-paramount-2508/
[3] https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/08/47133221/netflix-rides-global-growth-wave-as-squid-game-3-stranger-things-5-boost-subscribers