Netflix just scored its first-ever No. 1 weekend at the domestic box office — and still refused to brag. Industry sources tell Deadline the Netflix/Sony Pictures Animation sing-along version of KPop Demon Hunters grabbed an estimated $19.2M over Saturday–Sunday, edging past Zach Cregger’s Weapons. Yet exhibitors say Netflix asked to shield grosses in Comscore, leaving official charts to crown Weapons. On one of summer’s slowest frames, the ‘KPop’ boost lifted the market toward $79M versus ~$60M without it. AMC didn’t play the title; Regal and Cinemark did. Here’s why the secrecy matters — and what it signals next.
Need to know
- Netflix/Sony’s KPop Demon Hunters sing-along earned an estimated $19.2M Sat–Sun.
- Netflix kept grosses off Comscore; official charts still list Weapons at $15.6M.
- AMC didn’t book ‘KPop’; Regal/Cinemark led sales while weekend totals neared $79M.
- EntTelligence: 1.5M admissions; 68% attended before 5 p.m. on Sunday.
- No plans to extend the two-day run; sing-along version dropped on Netflix at midnight.
- Next big test: Netflix’s ‘Narnia’ opens in IMAX Thanksgiving 2026 before streaming.
Why this story matters now — secrecy, windows, and a $79M swing
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Netflix’s first domestic No. 1 lands amid a weak August, turning a projected ~$60M weekend into ~$78–79M with KPop Demon Hunters in play, per Deadline. That lifeline arrived even as Netflix asked exhibitors to shield ticket sales in Comscore, sparking debate over transparency, bragging rights, and how box office is “counted.” The move also spotlights window tensions: AMC refused to book ‘KPop’ while Regal and Cinemark embraced a two-day event. The result shows streamers can flex box office muscle without fully joining old rules — a flashpoint that could reshape how event windows work this fall.
Voices and reactions — fans pack theaters, exhibitors applaud the buzz
Brooks LeBoeuf, Regal’s SVP U.S. Content, hailed the “collective experience,” saying fan-favorite content becomes “extraordinary” when shared in theaters — and this weekend proved cinema still “amplifies culture.” Social trackers note a massive multi-platform reach, fueled by songs and trailers that kept enthusiasm high and daytime turnout heavy.
https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1959642347580309909
The data that reveals the trend — who showed, where, and when
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EntTelligence pegs ‘KPop’ at roughly 1.5M admissions with a standard ticket price around $13.63; premium averaged $16.31 and represented 18% of admissions. Regal and Cinemark split attendance at about 30% each, with Regal edging box office share 32%–30%. Top markets were Los Angeles (12%), San Francisco (5%), New York City (5%) and Dallas (4%). Sunday skewed early: 68% of the audience arrived before 5 p.m. Meanwhile, Comscore’s official charting still shows Weapons at No. 1 with about $15.6M even as industry estimates place ‘KPop’ higher — the core of the controversy.
The numbers that change the game
Box office metric Value + unit Period/Market Change/Impact ‘KPop’ weekend gross (industry est.) $19.2M U.S., Sat–Sun First Netflix No. 1; not officially reported ‘Weapons’ weekend gross (official) $15.6M U.S., weekend No. 1 on Comscore; trails ‘KPop’ estimates Total weekend w/ ‘KPop’ ~$78–79M U.S., Aug weekend +~$19M vs marketplace without ‘KPop’ Total weekend w/o ‘KPop’ ~$60M U.S., Aug weekend Slowest frame projection without boost ‘KPop’ admissions 1.5M U.S., Sat–Sun Daytime heavy; 68% attended pre-5 p.m. (Sun) Avg ticket (standard/premium) $13.63 / $16.31 U.S., Sat–Sun Premium = 18% of admissions Regal vs Cinemark share 32% / 30% (box office) U.S., Sat–Sun Both at ~30% attendance; Regal edged sales
Summary: A two-day event lifted a weak weekend, despite Netflix’s opaque reporting.
Divided opinions: controversy heats up over hidden grosses
Comscore’s official list shows Weapons on top because Netflix didn’t report ‘KPop’ grosses — even as industry tracking pegs ‘KPop’ higher. Exhibitors say Netflix requested shielding in Comscore, frustrating rivals who want standardized reporting. AMC stood firm on windows and skipped bookings; Regal and Cinemark jumped in and reaped sales. The split underscores a bigger fight: Can a streamer claim box office wins without embracing the rulebook that validates them?
https://twitter.com/DiscussingFilm/status/1959637812262707551
Legal deadlines and what’s at stake — windows, credits, and the next test
There’s no court order here, but the stakes feel contractual: windows, reporting norms, and whether exhibitors accept two-day pop-ups without Comscore clarity. Netflix “kept quiet” all weekend and, as of now, has no plan to extend the brief run. If streamers can energize slow frames without disclosing official grosses, it could erode box office comparability — complicating talent bonuses and marketing claims that rely on consistent third‑party data. Expect fresh pressure from circuits and studios as fall awards hopefuls seek clean, countable theatrical wins.
Why 2026 could shift the balance — ‘Narnia’ goes IMAX before streaming
Netflix has Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ opening in IMAX on Thanksgiving 2026 across ~1,000 auditoriums in 90 countries, ahead of a Christmas Day Netflix debut. That’s a broader, longer, and more global test than a two-day sing-along — and a likely inflection point for whether Netflix reports grosses when marquee filmmakers and premium formats are involved. If ‘Narnia’ plays big, expect renewed calls to standardize reporting and windows — or a hybrid that lets Netflix tout wins while protecting its subscription model.
What buyers should know right now — how to watch and what changes
If you missed the two-day event, the sing-along version has already dropped on Netflix. AMC didn’t play ‘KPop’; check Regal or Cinemark for similar limited-run pop-ups as streamers experiment with event windows. Expect more daytime-friendly showtimes for family-leaning titles and premium ticket options that nudge average prices higher. For box office watchers, brace for mixed signals: unofficial industry estimates vs official Comscore placements when streamers choose not to report. The playbook is changing — fast.
Sources
- https://deadline.com/2025/08/box-office-kpop-demon-hunters-weapons-1236495263/
- https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/box-office-kpop-demon-hunters-leads-box-office-over-weapons-1236497070/
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kpop-demon-hunters-sing-along-box-office-first-netflix-win-1236352043/
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Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.