Proving that it could succeed without the support of the nation’s number one theater chain, KPop Demon Hunters thrived at the box office, earning an estimated $18-$20 million. The film’s victory, achieved despite AMC Theaters’ refusal to screen the event, is a significant indicator of shifting power dynamics within the film exhibition industry.
AMC’s decision was based on its long-standing policy against showing films that are simultaneously available on streaming services. However, other major chains like Regal, Cinemark, and Alamo Drafthouse saw an opportunity and seized it, filling their theaters with enthusiastic fans during a slow weekend.
The fact that the film could top the charts and sell out 1,150 screenings without a single screen at AMC is a remarkable feat. It suggests that for certain types of event-based content with a strong, pre-existing fanbase, the support of every single exhibitor may no longer be a prerequisite for success.
The success of KPop Demon Hunters has not only provided a major win for Netflix but has also offered a real-world test of a major exhibitor’s influence. The result shows that strong content and a smart release strategy can create a box office hit, with or without the participation of the industry’s largest player.