'KPop Demon Hunters' gives Netflix its first box-office win
[August 25, 2025]
By ITZEL LUNA and JAKE COYLE
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Netflix appears to have its first No. 1 box-office
title in the streaming company’s 18-year history thanks to the sensation
of “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Rival studios on Sunday estimated “KPop Demon Hunters” led all films
over the weekend with $16-18 million in ticket sales. Distribution
executives from three studios shared their estimates for the Netflix
phenomenon on condition of anonymity because the streaming company has a
policy of not reporting ticket sales.
Following a dominating few weeks as one of the most popular Netflix
releases ever, the streamer put the film into 1,750 theaters for
sing-along screenings Saturday and Sunday. Studios are able to
accurately estimate ticket sales for all releases on Sunday morning,
though the uncommon nature of the “KPop Demon Hunters” releases means a
wider variance. Some estimates were as high as $20 million.
It amounted to a victory lap for “KPop Demon Hunters,” arguably the
biggest hit of Hollywood’s summer, and an ironic success for Netflix,
whose emphasis on streaming, not theatrical release, upended the movie
industry. Another sore spot for Hollywood: The film was developed and
produced by Sony Pictures, which sold it to Netflix.
Not all exhibitors went along. AMC, the largest theater chain in North
America, declined to show the movie. But that didn’t stop Netflix from
claiming the box-office title its more traditional competitors typically
own.
David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm FranchiseRe, called
it “a completely unique two-day musical event.”
“It may turn out to be higher,” said Gross. “Theater owners are quick on
their feet and can add capacity according to demand.”
The theatrical release, though limited, is out of the ordinary for the
streaming giant, which has long stressed a commitment to subscriber
releases. The movie debuted on the platform in late June and is
currently Netflix's most-watched animated original film.
The film centers on Huntr/x, a KPop superstar trio who double as demon
hunters. The members, Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong) and Zooey (Ji-young
Yoo), must protect their fans and face their biggest enemy yet: a rival
boy band made up of demons in disguise.
Zach Cregger's horror hit “Weapons” maintained strength in the box
office during its third weekend, bringing in $15.6 million domestically.
The buzzy horror movie has proved its staying power, raking in over $100
million globally since its release.
Disney's “Freakier Friday” landed behind the horror movie once again,
earning $9.2 million in North American theaters.
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This image released by Netflix shows characters, from left, Rumi,
Zoey, and Mira in a scene from "KPop Demon Hunters." (Netflix via
AP)
 The two films are “real bright
spots” as the box office heads into a “rather quiet finish” for the
summer, said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for the data
firm Comscore. Both films, which premiered simultaneously earlier
this month, had a minimal 36% drop from last weekend.
“I think we have to look at the currency of the goodwill generated
by people having these great summer moviegoing experiences,”
Dergarabedian said. “We have to look at that as a more important
metric than just the bottom-line dollars and cents.”
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps" earned $5.9 million domestically
during its fifth weekend. The movie enjoyed a strong $118 million
debut but has experienced a steady decline.
Newcomer “Honey Don’t!” opened in 1,317 North American theaters with
a weekend gross estimate of $3 million, in line with expectations.
The movie made it to the top 10, right above “The Naked Gun."
The dark comedy stars Margaret Qualley as Honey O’Donahue, a
small-town private investigator who investigates a slew of strange
deaths tied to a church in Bakersfield, California.
Top 10 movies by domestic box office
With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors
in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and
Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:
1. “Weapons,” $15.6 million.
2. “Freakier Friday,” $9.2 million.
3. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” $5.9 million.
4. “The Bad Guys 2," $5.1 million.
5. “Nobody 2," $3.7 million.
6. “Superman," $3.4 million.
7. “Honey Don't!" $3 million.
8. “The Naked Gun,” $3 million.
9. “Jurassic World Rebirth," $2.1 million.
10. “Relay,” $2 million.
—
Coyle reported from New York.
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