Two months after its release on the platform, Netflix released a karaoke version of the animated hit in theaters.
The animated musical «K-Pop Demon Hunters», released on Netflix in June, unexpectedly topped the North American box office. According to various estimates, the film grossed from $18 to 20 million in its first weekend, surpassing the horror film «Tools», which grossed $15.6 million. At the same time, such indicators were achieved despite the fact that the largest cinema chain AMC refused to include the film in the schedule.
For Netflix, this result is rare: the company rarely releases projects in wide release, especially after their debut on streaming. However, an exception was made for «K-Pop Hunters», which have already gained great popularity.
A karaoke version was prepared specifically for cinemas, allowing viewers to sing along with the characters. This provided additional interest in the release: many screenings were held in full halls, where the audience actively sang and danced.
The film tells about a fictional K-pop group fighting demons with the help of music magic. Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans directed, and Sony Pictures Animation played the role of producer.
Despite the availability of the film on streaming since June, its popularity continues to grow: three tracks from the soundtrack — Golden, Your Idol and Soda Pop — entered the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the film itself became the second most watched film in Netflix history.
While there has been no official announcement of a sequel, viewers have every chance of seeing it, given the project's popularity. One of The Wrap's reports, published at the end of July, mentioned that «K-Pop Demon Hunters» could get at least two new animated films and a live-action remake.
