Netflix is delivering the late-summer box office a surprise (and needed) gift.
The streamer and theater owners, and particularly the major chains, have been at loggerheads for years over exclusive theatrical windows. Netflix has always made it clear that its subscribers are its first priority, resulting in its titles often being boycotted by the bigger circuits. But in this case, the rules are being tossed aside as cinema operators rush to be part of the KPop Demon Hunters, which is fast on its way to becoming the most viewed movie of all time on the streamer.
On April 23 and 24, Netflix is hosting singalong screenings of the animated feature in North America, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. Insiders tell The Hollywood Reporter that 1,700 cinemas in the U.S. and Canada have already booked the special event, with more locations being added daily. And, as of late on Aug. 19, 1,000 showtimes were already sold out.
Regal Cinemas and Cinemark Theatres — the country’s two largest circuits behind AMC Theatres — are playing the singalongs, along with Alamo Drafthouse and numerous other circuits. So far, AMC doesn’t appear to be part of the action, but that could always change.
The movie centers on the adventures of Huntr/x, a trio comprised of K-pop superstars Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong) and Zooey (Ji-young Yoo) who use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat. Together, they must face their biggest enemy yet — an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise.
KPop Demon Hunters: A Sing-Along Event could provide a notable boost for an otherwise quiet weekend and land high up on the domestic chart amid new nationwide entry Honey Don’t!, from director Ethan Coen, and holdovers Weapons and Freakier Friday.
Netflix isn’t providing guidance as to how much the singalongs could earn, but box office pundits say they could generate anywhere from $5 million to north of $10 million in North America, based on advance ticket sales and the sell-out shows. (A big unknown is whether Netflix will break with tradition and make grosses public.)
Along with becoming a surprise hit for the streamer since debuting in June, the movie’s soundtrack also made the top 10 list for the Billboard 200 chart, with “Golden” becoming a number one hit. Other songs include “How It’s Done.” The original songs for KPop Demon Hunters were performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI, Andrew Choi, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo, samUIL Lee, Neckwav and Lea Salonga, while Jeongyeon, Jihyo and Chaeyoung performed their own original song.
Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans directed the animated feature for Sony Pictures Animation, based on a screenplay by Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan, Kang and Appelhans. The ensemble cast also includes Ahn Hyo-seop, Yunjin Kim, Joel Kim Booster and Liza Koshy, along with Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong and Byung Hun Lee
From Focus Features, Honey Don’t! is tracking to open in the $3 million to $4 million range from 1,300 locations in North America. Starring Margaret Qualley, the film was directed by Coen from a script he wrote with Tricia Cooke. The story follows a small-town private investigator trying to solve a series of deaths tied to a mysterious church. Aubrey Plaza, Charlie Day, Billy Eichner and Chris Evans co-star.