Netflix refuses to report ticket sales data, so the amount is based on projections from rival studios and exhibitors, but it is a huge showing for the famously cinema-averse streamer, whose film has already topped music charts and smashed viewing records.
Released in June, “KPop Demon Hunters” is already Netflix’s most-watched animated offering.
The weekend singalongs at theatres in five countries were expected to draw legions of fans ready to watch the tale of a Kpop girl group that protects the world from demons with their music – and belt out the movie’s catchy bangers.
“This weekend, a streaming production made for viewing at home is connecting on a level that theatrical hits rarely reach,” said analyst David A Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.
“For 48 hours, this made-for-television film is playing to sold-out audiences who are singing, dancing, dressing up, and losing themselves in the fun. That’s pop entertainment at its best.”
Buzzy horror film “Weapons” – which topped the box office for the last two weeks – will likely be the official winner again this week, given Netflix’s refusal to release official figures.
The Warner Bros. movie – which tells the story of the mysterious disappearance of a group of children from the same school class – made US$15.6 million from Friday to Sunday, Exhibitor Relations reported.
In third place was Disney’s “Freakier Friday” starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2003 body-swapping family film, at US$9.2 million.
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” Disney’s reboot of the Marvel Comics franchise, held fourth place at US$5.9 million.
And in fifth place was Universal’s family-friendly animation sequel “The Bad Guys 2,” about a squad of goofy animal criminals actually doing good in their rebranded lives, earning US$5.1 million.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
- “Nobody 2” (US$3.7 million)
- “Superman” (US$3.4 million)
- “Honey Don’t” (US$3.0 million)
- “The Naked Gun” (US$2.95 million)
- “Jurassic World: Rebirth” (US$2.1 million)