KPOP DEMON HUNTERS Claims Surprise Weekend Box Office Win

In a stunning and unprecedented move, a limited two-day theatrical event for an animated Netflix film has revitalized a sluggish summer box office. The KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along Event captivated audiences, earning an estimated $18 million from just 1,700 screens to claim the number one spot, demonstrating a powerful new model for streaming and theatrical collaboration.

The surprise performance single-handedly rescued what was on track to be a record-low weekend, injecting much-needed revenue into theaters during a traditionally dry period. The film’s success highlights a growing audience appetite for unique, event-style cinematic experiences and original content, challenging conventional wisdom about what can draw crowds away from their living rooms.

How Did a Netflix Movie Top the Box Office?

The strategy behind the success of KPop Demon Hunters was as unique as its result. Unlike a traditional wide release, Netflix partnered with key exhibitors like Regal, Cinemark, and Alamo Drafthouse for a special two-day sing-along engagement. Despite playing in only 37% of U.S. theaters and having a showtime market share identical to much smaller films, it achieved a phenomenal per-screen average of $10,588.

This result is particularly striking when compared to other releases. The stateside English dub of the Chinese blockbuster Ne Zha 2, playing on over 500 more screens, managed only $1.5 million. The disparity underscores that the event’s curated, communal sing-along format, rather than just the film’s content, was the primary draw. For participating theaters, the event was pure profit during a month filled with underperforming new releases and fading holdovers.

What Does This Mean for Theatrical Windows?

The monumental success of this experiment sends a clear message to the industry about flexible release strategies. Netflix, a company once seen as a rival to traditional cinema, has proven it can be a powerful partner by driving significant foot traffic and revenue. This hybrid model offers a potential blueprint for other streamers: using limited, high-value theatrical events to generate buzz, additional revenue, and cultural relevance for their digital properties.

This event demonstrates that audiences are willing to go to theaters for something they cannot replicate at home—a shared, participatory experience. It moves beyond the debate over exclusive theatrical windows and focuses on creating special reasons for consumers to leave their homes, a shift that could define exhibition strategies moving forward.

Weapons Continues Its Strong Hold

While the KPop event dominated in per-screen efficiency, the official number one film by total gross was Warner Bros.’ acclaimed horror film Weapons. In its third weekend, the film held strong with $15.6 million, a decline of just 36% from the previous frame. Its domestic total now stands at $115.88 million, on track to become one of the highest-grossing horror films of the year. Internationally, it added $13.2 million, bringing its global cumulative to nearly $200 million.

Other newcomers struggled to find footing. Focus Features’ lesbian noir comedy Honey Don’t!, despite its star-studded cast, opened to a soft $3 million, rejected by both critics and audiences. Similarly, Ron Howard’s survival drama Eden and the re-release of Ne Zha 2 failed to connect, earning $1 million and $1.5 million respectively.

The spectacular $18 million debut of the KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along Event has rewritten the rulebook, proving that innovation and audience engagement can triumph over traditional release patterns and breathe life into the theatrical market. This event is more than a box office headline; it is a case study in the future of hybrid entertainment, showing that when offered a unique and compelling reason, audiences will still flock to the cinema.

Must Know

What is the KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along Event?
It was a special two-day theatrical engagement for the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters, presented as a sing-along where lyrics appeared on-screen. The event was hosted in partnership with major theater chains like Regal and Cinemark.

How much money did KPop Demon Hunters make?
The sing-along event earned an estimated $18 million during its opening weekend. This was achieved from only 1,700 screens, resulting in an exceptionally high per-screen average of over $10,500.

Was KPop Demon Hunters number one at the box office?
While it earned the highest gross from its limited screens, official industry charts will list Weapons as the number one film with a $15.6 million gross from a much wider release of over 3,600 theaters. However, the KPop event was the undeniable story of the weekend due to its unprecedented efficiency.

Is KPop Demon Hunters only in theaters?
No. The film originally premiered on the Netflix streaming service on June 20, 2025. The sing-along event was a limited, special engagement designed to create a unique theatrical experience for fans.

What is the box office total for the movie Weapons?
As of this weekend, the domestic total for Weapons is $115.88 million. Its global total has reached $199.4 million, making it a major hit for Warner Bros.