Netflix is rolling the dice on movie theaters again, well, sort of.
This time Netflix has booked theaters nationwide with singalong screenings of its animated blockbuster “KPop Demon Hunters” on August 23 and 24.
Early numbers suggest the gamble is paying off in huge ways. Insiders tell THR that 1700 U.S. and Canadian theaters have already committed to the event, and as of August 19, a whopping 1,000 screenings were sold out.
Regal and Cinemark are fully on board, as is Alamo Drafthouse. AMC, curiously, is still sitting this one out—though if the grosses hold, and Netflix extends the run, don’t be surprised if they cave and join the party.
No official projections have come from Netflix (and don’t expect them to report grosses either), but internal sources hint at an opening weekend haul that could exceed $20M. That would be a remarkable return for a streamer that has spent years dismissing theaters as relics.
The big question is whether Netflix keeps this going beyond the single weekend. Theaters are asking the streamer to extend the run and are already adding showtimes. Conventional wisdom says no, Netflix doesn’t like lengthy theatrical windows, but the demand is real, and I wouldn’t be surprised if 90% of screenings are sold out this weekend.
In case you’re unaware, “KPop Demon Hunters” is an animated action-comedy about a secret K-pop girl group who moonlight as demon slayers. It’s packed with glossy pop visuals and, unsurprisingly, is absolutely music-driven.
The film is now the #2 most-watched Netflix Original film of all time, boasting a staggering 185M total views. Even more impressively, it’s within striking distance of the unthinkable: surpassing “Red Notice” as Netflix’s all-time viewing champ.
There’s no denying the cultural clout “KPop” has gained. But how did this phenomenon happen? Some point to slick marketing and relentless word-of-mouth across platforms like TikTok and Twitter (X). Others say it’s the film’s blend of action, gloss, and camp that makes it irresistible to the mainstream. As with most runaway hits, the truth is likely a combination of both.
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