Netflix’s animated musical “KPop Demon Hunters” is moving from streaming to the big screen with a two-day sing-along engagement in almost 2,000 cinemas across the United States and Canada this weekend. Exhibitors report more than 1,100 sell-outs ahead of the run, and industry trackers project the film could collect about $15 million domestically, enough to edge past horror title “Weapons” and top the sluggish late-summer box office. The limited release caps a breakout summer for the Sony-produced feature. Since its 20 June debut the film has drawn 210 million views, making it Netflix’s second-most-watched title ever and its most-watched animated movie. Critics have also embraced the picture, which holds a 97 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. Music tied to the movie continues to fuel its momentum. The soundtrack, performed by the fictional girl group HUNTR/X, currently places five tracks in Spotify’s global Top 10, while lead single “Golden” has become the longest-running K-pop No. 1 in U.K. chart history and remains in Billboard’s Hot 100 Top 10 alongside two other songs from the film. Analysts say the event screenings could provide a welcome lift for theaters after a muted August slate and may prompt exhibitors to add more showtimes. Sony and Netflix are already exploring sequels and spin-offs, positioning the property as a potential multi-platform franchise.
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