KPop Demon Hunters earns $18 million at box office despite limited theater run

In the United States, Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters emerged as the top film at the North American box office, generating $18 million in ticket sales over the weekend of August 22-24, 2025. The film features a unique premise where a KPop trio serves as demon hunters, facing off against a rival boy band revealed to be demons in disguise. Despite its financial success, Netflix controversially pulled the film from theaters shortly after its debut, signaling a preference for streaming over theatrical releases, a stance that perplexed some industry observers. The film’s launch coincided with other competitors in the box office, but it stood out as a significant accomplishment for Netflix, which is primarily a streaming service. Critically, the film has sparked discussions about Netflix's approach to theatrical releases and their overall impact on the cinema landscape. Additionally, KPop Demon Hunters has been included in the lineup for the upcoming Busan International Film Festival, where it will be showcased, further emphasizing its cultural significance and popularity. This combination of box office success and festival recognition marks a notable shift for Netflix and raises questions about future strategies in their film distribution model, particularly regarding the balance between theatrical success and streaming dominance. The film’s creators, who initially intended a broader theatrical experience, expressed disappointment at the shortened release window as it implies an ambivalence towards the potential of theatrical runs for original movies. Ultimately, the mixed reception of Netflix's decisions regarding KPop Demon Hunters represents a larger trend within the industry concerning streaming services and their relationship with traditional cinema.