Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters has become an undeniable hit, challenging Red Notice for the title of the platform’s most-watched movie.
Now and somewhat unexpectedly, a fun, sing-along theatrical release for the film has propelled it to the top spot at the North American box office this weekend. When the special screenings were first announced on August 13 at select theaters nationwide, tickets sold out almost immediately.
Additional showings were added, only to sell out again, and this cycle has continued over the past two weeks. As a result, KPop Demon Hunters is now projected to lead the weekend box office.
Per Deadline Hollywood, the film is currently projected to earn $15+ million this weekend, a number just large enough to edge out the horror film Weapons, which is projected to earn $13.5 million.
KPop Demon Hunters, co-written and co-directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, follows the thrilling adventures of Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo), three young-adult pop idols who make up the group Huntr/x. Born into an ancient lineage of demon slayers, the trio must balance their glamorous careers with the dangerous responsibility of combating supernatural threats.
Their skills are put to the ultimate test when their most formidable demonic adversary (Lee Byung-hun) orchestrates the rise of a rival K-pop boy band designed to siphon the souls of unsuspecting fans.
Faced with this sinister challenge, Rumi, Mira, and Zoey must fight with everything they’ve got to protect both the world and the bond that holds them together.
Adding a meta layer of intrigue, the two fictional K-pop groups portrayed in the film have skyrocketed in popularity, achieving chart-topping success that rivals real-world sensations like BTS and Blackpink, cementing the movie’s blend of supernatural action and pop culture spectacle.
"When they aren’t selling out stadiums, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat. Together, they must face their biggest enemy yet – an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise.”