Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters" Shocks Box Office with $18M Weekend, Tops Charts Despite Fewer Screens and Shorter Run

Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters" became the first Netflix movie to top the box office, despite showing on 50% fewer screens and having a shorter run. The film grossed an estimated $18 million on Saturday and Sunday, beating "Weapons" with 1,700 screens compared to 3,631. The success of the movie, which has been available on Netflix since June 20, may encourage other streamers to partner with theaters for limited releases.

Netflix's animated musical "KPop Demon Hunters" achieved a significant milestone over the weekend, becoming the first Netflix movie to top the box office. Despite showing on approximately 50% fewer screens than the competition and having a shorter run, the film grossed an estimated $18 million on Saturday and Sunday. This performance is particularly notable given that it beat "Weapons," which had been expected to be the top movie, with $15.6 million in its third weekend of release [2].

"KPop Demon Hunters" played on about 1,700 screens across the United States, compared to "Weapons" which was shown in 3,631 North American theaters [3]. The film's success may encourage other streaming services to partner with theaters for limited releases, as it highlights the potential for event-like theatrical experiences to generate significant buzz and revenue.

The animated musical follows a K-pop girl band battling demons with their music, and has been available on Netflix since June 20. It is the second-most watched film ever on the service and has three songs from its soundtrack in the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100 chart [2]. The film was produced in a partnership between Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation [2].

The success of "KPop Demon Hunters" comes at a time when the overall box office remains 5.1% ahead of last year, but summer ticket sales are currently at $3.5 billion through late August, well short of the $4 billion benchmark that was common before the pandemic [3].

References:

[1] https://news.faharas.net/376490/netflix-kpop-demon-hunters-box/
[2] https://www.wftv.com/news/trending/netflixs-kpop-demon-hunters-dominates-box-office/O7HBMWJ4OFAARFXJEEYO2CGJA4/
[3] https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/kpop-demon-hunters-sing-along-re-release-tops-us-cinema-with-up-to-20m-in-box-office-sales/