KPop Demon Hunters Sells Out 975 Showings
- In a remarkable turn of events, Netflix is delivering a much-needed boost to the late-summer box office, and forging an unlikely alliance with traditional cinema owners.
- Netflix is hosting singalong screenings of the animated feature on August 23rd and 24th across North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
- KPop Demon Hunters centers on the adventures of Huntr/x, a dynamic trio of K-pop superstars - Rumi (played by arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zooey (Ji-young Yoo)...
Netflix and Cinemas Find Common Ground with ‘KPop Demon Hunters‘ singalongs
Table of Contents
Published August 20, 2025
A Surprising Alliance at the Box Office
In a remarkable turn of events, Netflix is delivering a much-needed boost to the late-summer box office, and forging an unlikely alliance with traditional cinema owners. For years, a contentious relationship defined the streamer and major theater chains, stemming from disagreements over theatrical release windows.Netflix, prioritizing its subscriber base, often faced boycotts from larger circuits. However, the phenomenal success of KPop Demon Hunters is rewriting the rules.
Singalong Screenings Take Center Stage
Netflix is hosting singalong screenings of the animated feature on August 23rd and 24th across North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. As of August 19th, over 1,000 showtimes were already sold out, with 1,700 cinemas in the U.S. and Canada already booked, and more locations being added daily. Major chains like Regal Cinemas and Cinemark Theatres – the two largest circuits after AMC Theatres – are participating, alongside alamo Drafthouse and numerous independent theaters. While AMC Theatres have not yet confirmed participation, the possibility remains open.
The Story Behind the Phenomenon
KPop Demon Hunters centers on the adventures of Huntr/x, a dynamic trio of K-pop superstars – Rumi (played by arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zooey (Ji-young Yoo) – who lead double lives as demon hunters. They protect their fans from supernatural threats, facing off against a rival boy band of demons in disguise. Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans for Sony Pictures animation, the film features a screenplay by Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan, Kang, and Appelhans. The cast also includes Ahn Hyo-seop, Yunjin Kim, Joel Kim Booster, Liza Koshy, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and byung Hun Lee.
A Boost for a Quiet Weekend
The singalong event is expected to significantly boost box office numbers during an otherwise slow weekend, possibly placing KPop Demon Hunters high on the domestic chart alongside new releases like Ethan Coen’s Honey Don’t!, starring Margaret Qualley, and holdovers Weapons and Freakier Friday. Box office analysts predict the singalongs could generate between $5 million and $10 million in North America, though Netflix has not yet indicated weather it will publicly release box office figures – a departure from industry norms.
Beyond the Big Screen: Soundtrack Success
The film’s success extends beyond the visual medium. Since its debut in June,KPop Demon Hunters has become a surprise hit for the streamer,and its soundtrack has climbed into the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart. The song “Golden” has reached number one, with other popular tracks including “how It’s Done.” The soundtrack features contributions from EJAE, audrey Nuna, REI AMI, Andrew Choi, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo, samUIL Lee, Neckwav, Lea Salonga, and Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung.