Netflix achieved its first domestic box-office victory over the weekend as the animated musical “KPop Demon Hunters” generated an estimated US$18 million to US$20 million in ticket sales, according to rival studio and exhibitor projections. The two-day singalong event, staged nearly two months after the film’s streaming debut in late June, marks the company’s first No. 1 theatrical finish in its 18-year history. The special screenings ran Saturday and Sunday on roughly 1,700 North American screens—none operated by AMC Theatres—yet still out-drew Warner Bros.’ horror holdover “Weapons,” which collected about US$15.6 million in its third weekend. Attendance was bolstered by sold-out showings at most venues, highlighting pent-up demand among the film’s online fan base. Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, “KPop Demon Hunters” has already become the second-most-watched film on Netflix and spawned the chart-topping single “Golden.” The strong theatrical response could encourage Netflix to experiment with further limited releases, adding a new revenue stream as the streaming giant reassesses its traditionally cinema-averse distribution strategy.