culture and entertainment - In a remarkable turn of events for the theatrical industry, Netflix's 'Kpop Demon Hunters' has emerged as North America's box office leader, earning an estimated $18-20 million in its opening weekend....
The success is particularly noteworthy given Netflix's historically cautious approach to theatrical releases.
The animated musical, which has been available on Netflix's streaming platform for two months, was screened across 1,700 theaters - nearly double the theater count of the streamer's previous theatrical venture 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery' in 2022. Industry sources report that approximately 1,150 showings were sold out, indicating exceptional audience demand.
The film's success can be attributed to several factors, including its innovative blend of K-pop culture with fantasy elements, strong musical performances, and the growing global influence of Korean entertainment. Three original songs from the film - 'Golden,' 'Your Idol,' and 'Soda Pop' - have achieved top 10 positions on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, demonstrating the movie's cross-media appeal.
Meanwhile, 'Weapons' maintained strong performance with $15.6 million in its third weekend, bringing its global total to $199 million against a $38 million budget. The horror film's success continues director Zach Cregger's winning streak following 'Barbarian's' success in 2022.
The overall box office landscape shows signs of recovery but faces challenges. Current revenues are 5.1% ahead of last year, though this margin has decreased significantly from the 25% lead observed in early June. The summer season is projected to fall short of the $4 billion benchmark, with current earnings at $3.5 billion from May through late August.
The animated musical, which has been available on Netflix's streaming platform for two months, was screened across 1,700 theaters - nearly double the theater count of the streamer's previous theatrical venture 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery' in 2022. Industry sources report that approximately 1,150 showings were sold out, indicating exceptional audience demand.
The film's success can be attributed to several factors, including its innovative blend of K-pop culture with fantasy elements, strong musical performances, and the growing global influence of Korean entertainment. Three original songs from the film - 'Golden,' 'Your Idol,' and 'Soda Pop' - have achieved top 10 positions on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, demonstrating the movie's cross-media appeal.
Meanwhile, 'Weapons' maintained strong performance with $15.6 million in its third weekend, bringing its global total to $199 million against a $38 million budget. The horror film's success continues director Zach Cregger's winning streak following 'Barbarian's' success in 2022.
The overall box office landscape shows signs of recovery but faces challenges. Current revenues are 5.1% ahead of last year, though this margin has decreased significantly from the 25% lead observed in early June. The summer season is projected to fall short of the $4 billion benchmark, with current earnings at $3.5 billion from May through late August.