Netflix has achieved its first No. 1 box-office title in its 18-year history with the animated feature “KPop Demon Hunters,” according to industry estimates released Sunday.
Rival studios projected the film generated between $16 million and $18 million in ticket sales over the weekend. Some estimates placed the total as high as $20 million. Executives from three studios confirmed the figures on condition of anonymity, citing Netflixâs policy of not publicly disclosing theatrical revenues.
The film was screened in 1,750 theaters across North America over a limited two-day run featuring sing-along sessions. The strategy followed a strong streaming debut in late June, where it became Netflixâs most-watched animated original.
David A. Gross, head of movie consulting firm FranchiseRe, described the release as âa completely unique two-day musical eventâ and noted that theater owners could expand showings if demand increases.
The release marks a milestone for Netflix, which traditionally prioritizes streaming over theatrical distribution. The success has also drawn attention because the film was originally developed and produced by Sony Pictures before being sold to Netflix.
Not all exhibitors participated. AMC, North Americaâs largest theater chain, declined to screen the title. Despite that, Netflix claimed the top position over Hollywood rivals.
“KPop Demon Hunters” follows a fictional K-pop trio who double as demon fighters, with voice performances by Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo. The filmâs mix of music, animation, and fantasy contributed to its widespread popularity.
Meanwhile, Zach Creggerâs horror film “Weapons” retained strong momentum with $15.6 million in its third weekend, pushing its global total past $100 million. Warner Bros.â release remains one of the seasonâs standout performers.
Disneyâs “Freakier Friday” ranked third, earning $9.2 million domestically. Analysts observed that both “Weapons” and “Freakier Friday” experienced modest drops of only 36 percent from the prior weekend, signaling consistent audience interest.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, said the films are âreal bright spotsâ as the summer box office enters its final stretch. He emphasized that audience enthusiasm and positive experiences are increasingly important indicators beyond revenue alone.
Other weekend performances included “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which collected $5.9 million in its fifth weekend, bringing its total to $118 million. Universalâs “The Bad Guys 2” earned $5.1 million, while “Nobody 2” followed with $3.7 million. Warner Bros.â “Superman” grossed $3.4 million.
New release “Honey Donât!” debuted in 1,317 theaters, earning $3 million. The dark comedy stars Margaret Qualley as a private investigator in Bakersfield, California. The film entered the top 10 at No. 7.
Rounding out the chart were “The Naked Gun” with $3 million, “Jurassic World Rebirth” with $2.1 million, and “Relay” with $2 million.
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