Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters Becomes No.1 at the Box Office: A Streaming Milestone

The entertainment industry is undergoing a dramatic shift. Netflix’s animated film KPop Demon Hunters has unexpectedly topped the domestic box office, grossing an estimated $18–$20 million this past weekend. What makes this achievement remarkable is that the movie was already available for streaming on Netflix since late June, yet its singalong theatrical release managed to outperform competitors and secure the No.1 spot.

This milestone marks the first time Netflix has claimed the top position at the U.S. box office, a feat that highlights the changing relationship between streaming platforms and traditional cinema.

Box Office Performance of KPop Demon Hunters

Despite being released only for two days (Saturday and Sunday), the singalong version of KPop Demon Hunters achieved the highest box office earnings over the weekend.

Movie Title	Weekend Earnings (Estimated)	Theatrical Run	Domestic Total
KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)	$18–20 million	2 days	N/A
Weapons	$15.4 million	3rd weekend	$115 million
Other Releases	Below $10 million	—	—

Read full box office analysis on Hollywood Reporter

Why This is Historic for Netflix

First Netflix film to top the U.S. box office.
Marks a significant shift from the streamer’s usual stance of avoiding theatrical releases.
By comparison, Apple’s F1 debuted with an impressive $57 million opening earlier this summer, showing the growing role of streamers in theaters (source: Variety).
Netflix’s previous attempts, such as Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022), earned about $15 million during a one-week theatrical run.

About KPop Demon Hunters

Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the film combines the global popularity of K-Pop music with the fantasy appeal of demon-hunting action.

Plot Summary

The story follows a K-Pop girl group that secretly doubles as demon hunters, battling supernatural forces, including a rival boy band.

Check out the official Netflix listing for KPop Demon Hunters

Music Success: “Golden” Tops Global Charts

The film’s soundtrack played a huge role in its popularity.

Song	Billboard Status	Spotify Streams
Golden	#1 on Billboard Charts	400+ million

Billboard confirms “Golden” as a global chart-topper

Streaming Success on Netflix

Before its theatrical re-release, KPop Demon Hunters had already been a massive hit on streaming:

Ranked #2 on Netflix’s All-Time Most Watched Movies list with over 210 million views.
Positioned between blockbuster titles Red Notice and Carry-On.
Demonstrates the film’s dual success across both streaming and theatrical markets.

View Netflix’s full Top 10 movies chart

Industry Impact: Netflix and Theaters

AMC Theatres declined to screen the film due to Netflix’s refusal to grant an exclusive theatrical window.
Still, other chains embraced the release, allowing the film to dominate the weekend box office.
The performance proves that hybrid release strategies (streaming + selective theater runs) can succeed if the content resonates with audiences.

Looking Ahead: Netflix’s Theatrical Strategy

Netflix’s milestone could reshape its approach to theatrical releases:

Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated Narnia adaptation is set for an exclusive IMAX release in Fall 2026, expected to generate massive box office returns (source: Variety).
Success stories like KPop Demon Hunters may encourage Netflix to replicate this model for other large-scale projects.
Competing streamers like Apple and Amazon are already embracing theaters, making it likely Netflix will expand its strategy.

Netflix vs. Other Streamers: A Quick Comparison

Streamer	Biggest Box Office Hit	Opening Weekend Earnings	Release Model
Netflix	KPop Demon Hunters (2025)	$18–20 million (2 days)	Streaming + Limited Theatrical
Apple	F1 (2025)	$57 million	Wide Theatrical + Streaming
Amazon	Air (2023)	$20 million	Wide Theatrical + Prime Video

Conclusion

Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters is more than just an animated movie; it’s a global phenomenon blending K-Pop, fantasy action, and chart-topping music. Its theatrical success, despite being available on streaming, sets a new precedent for Netflix and hints at a broader industry shift where streaming platforms and theaters no longer operate in separate lanes.

With upcoming blockbusters like Narnia on the horizon, Netflix’s victory with KPop Demon Hunters may be just the beginning of a bold new theatrical strategy.