August 25, 2025, 3:23 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Although it has long been available for streaming, the Netflix film “KPop Demon Hunters” has now also been released in theaters. This is new territory for the streamer, but there’s a good reason for it.
It’s not unusual for original Netflix films to occasionally appear on the big screen. Prestigious works such as “Roma,” “Marriage Story,” or Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio” have also been shown in theaters here. However, Netflix usually does this to position itself for awards like the Oscars, for which theatrical releases are a prerequisite. But “KPop Demon Hunters” is already two months old and has just now hit theaters, which, according to the magazine “Variety,” is a first. The decision seems to have paid off.
“KPop Demon Hunters” a Success in Theaters Too
“KPop Demon Hunters” is an animated film produced by Sony and released exclusively on Netflix. It features a K-pop girl group battling evil forces. The film was released at the end of June, two months ago, and has since become a mega-hit. It is currently on the verge of becoming the most successful Netflix film of all time.
The colorful adventure is also well-received in theaters. However, this is not a typical release. Unusually for Netflix, it is being shown on numerous screens simultaneously—more than 1,700 in the U.S., according to the report. Normally, the company only releases its Oscar contenders for a short time and in only a few theaters.
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After one weekend, “KPop Demon Hunters” is now at the top of the U.S. box office charts with an estimated $18 to $20 million in earnings, as stated in a separate article. Netflix itself has not released any figures, but other studios and theater chains have placed the film ahead of the horror movie “Weapons,” which grossed about $15.6 million.
“KPop Demon Hunters” in Theaters as a Karaoke Screening
The theatrical run is also time-limited here, even more so: The musical spectacle was only shown as a special event for two days. The screenings were designed to encourage fans to sing along, like in karaoke. The idea was rewarded by audiences with more than 1,000 sold-out showings.
The decision to release it in theaters was likely made at the last minute, considering the immense streaming success. In fact, Netflix reportedly declined a similar request shortly after the film’s release. The high viewership numbers, ongoing discussion about the film, and even the success of the film’s songs (three of which are in the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot 100) could have been indicators of a sure hit.
Whether “KPop Demon Hunters” will also come to theaters in Germany is unknown. TECHBOOK has made an inquiry but has not yet received a response. Whether Netflix will bring more films to theaters after their streaming release will likely depend on individual cases.