‘KPop Demon Hunters’ sing-along re-release tops US cinema, with as much as $20M in field workplace gross sales

A sing-along model of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters scored a field workplace victory within the US this weekend, incomes about $18 million to $20 million in field workplace takings on Saturday (August 23) and Sunday (August 24).

That’s based on Selection, which reported on Sunday (August 24) that the movie outpaced Warner Bros.’ horror movie Weapons in its third weekend of launch. Weapons was reportedly anticipated to assert the weekend title with $15.6 million from 3,631 North American theaters.

The field workplace turnover of the animated musical was a uncommon theatrical win for Netflix, which usually avoids broad cinema releases.

The corporate hasn’t reported official product sales, however Selection reported, citing “educated sources” that KPop Demon Hunters performed on 1,700 screens throughout the USA.

Netflix introduced on Sunday that Arden Cho, Might Hong, Ken Jeong, vocalists REI AMI and Kevin Woo, administrators Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, and producer Michelle L.M. Wong stunned followers of the movie in theaters in New York and Los Angeles over the weekend.

Following the restricted theatrical occasion, which Netflix stated “featured greater than 1,000 sold-out screenings,” the streamer confirmed that the sing-along model will debut on Netflix at this time (August 25).

Sony Photos Animation produced KPop Demon Hunters.

The film follows fictional Ok-pop lady group HUNTR/X, whose members secretly moonlight as demon hunters tasked with sustaining a magical barrier that protects people from the darkish underworld. It additionally options HUNTR/X’s nemeses, bad-boy group Saja Boys.

Since its streaming debut, the film has turn into Netflix’s second-most watched English-language movie ever and the most-viewed authentic animated movie on the platform of all time.

As MBW beforehand reported, the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, launched through Visva/Republic Data, has turn into 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 Sizzling 100.

Final week, HUNTR/X’s Golden added a fifth straight week at No. 1 on each the Billboard International 200 and Billboard International Exc. US charts. The fictional Ok-pop group’s How It’s Finished additionally earned its second Prime 5 International 200 hit.

“For 48 hours, this made-for-television movie is enjoying to sold-out audiences who’re singing, dancing, dressing up and shedding themselves within the enjoyable. That’s pop leisure at its greatest.”

David A. Gross, Franchise Leisure Analysis 

Analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Leisure Analysis was quoted by Selection as saying: “For 48 hours, this made-for-television movie is enjoying to sold-out audiences who’re singing, dancing, dressing up and shedding themselves within the enjoyable. That’s pop leisure at its greatest.”

“There isn’t any CinemaScore, however audiences, significantly children, love this film. That’s why it’s right here.”

Nonetheless, Selection and The Hollywood Reporter famous that AMC Theatres, the world’s dominant cinema chain, refused to take part in enjoying the re-release of KPop Demon Hunters in cinemas. THR stated rival chains Regal and Cinemark, together with Alamo Drafthouse and different cinema operators embraced the chance through the sluggish summer time weekend.

In the meantime, Selection stated the general field workplace stays 5.1% forward of final yr, though that margin has shrunk from the 25% lead recorded in early June. Summer time ticket gross sales presently stand at $3.5 billion by way of late August, nicely wanting the $4 billion benchmark that was frequent earlier than the pandemic, stated Selection.