Since its June 20 debut, “KPop Demon Hunters” has overtaken “Red Notice” to become Netflix’s most-watched English-language film ever.
LOS ANGELES — Reports indicate that Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation are in early discussions about a sequel to “KPop Demon Hunters,” spurred by the animated musical’s remarkable box office weekend and groundbreaking streaming performance.
The discussions for a sequel follow the film’s unexpected and unprecedented success. Since premiering on June 20, “KPop Demon Hunters” has officially exceeded 2021’s “Red Notice,” becoming Netflix’s most-viewed English-language film, with 236 million views.
During the weekend, Netflix held special sing-along theater screenings of the film. This limited theatrical release in 1,750 theaters is estimated to have earned $16-18 million from Saturday to Sunday, marking Netflix’s first No. 1 box office achievement in its 18-year history.
“It could end up higher,” commented David A. Gross, who heads up the movie consulting firm FranchiseRe, describing it as “a one-of-a-kind two-day musical event.”
The film, produced on a budget around $100 million, features K-pop superstar trio HUNTR/X — starring Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) — as they manage their dual roles as pop icons and secret demon hunters protecting their fan base from supernatural dangers.
Netflix’s streaming-first model has long been at odds with traditional Hollywood distribution. The film was originally developed and produced by Sony Pictures, which then sold it to the streaming giant. The success story of “KPop Demon Hunters” is a rare instance where a streaming-first release generated both critical acclaim and massive viewership numbers before transitioning to a successful theatrical run — a model that could influence how major streaming platforms approach high-profile releases in the future.
Not all theater chains participated in the weekend event. AMC, the largest theater chain in North America, declined to show the movie, though this didn’t dampen the film’s box office performance.
While sequel talks are underway, no official announcement has been made regarding a timeline for a potential follow-up film.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
