This weekend, the KPop Demon Hunters phenomenon is making waves at the Cinemark Century multiplex in Daly City, just south of San Francisco. With a staggering 62 screenings scheduled, the box office staff noted that several additional showings were added last minute to accommodate the overwhelming demand from fans. This animated feature, which has captivated audiences on Netflix since its release in June, is now taking the leap from the small screen to nearly 1,800 movie theaters nationwide, offering a unique singalong experience for fans.
Fans of the animated Netflix movie, which centers around a fictitious all-girl rock band battling evil spirits, are in for a treat this weekend. E.J. Yanesa, who attended the screening with his children and fellow parents from a local elementary school, described the turnout as impressive, stating, "There's probably 60 of us." Dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and yellow beanie as Abby, a character from the villainous boy band Saja Boys, Yanesa shared his excitement: "Good songs, good storyline, good drawing. They hit a home run with this one."
KPop Demon Hunters is shaping up to be a major success for Netflix, as it becomes the platform's first foray into singalongs. According to Netflix, many of the screenings this weekend have already sold out, indicating a strong reception from fans. As of Sunday, seven tracks from the movie's soundtrack were among the top 20 most-played songs on Spotify, underscoring the film's immense popularity.
Shawn Robbins, Fandango's director of movie analytics, emphasized the uniqueness of this event, stating, "There's really nothing in the league of this that we've seen so far making the leap from streaming to the big screen." Netflix's collaboration with movie theaters is rare, and they described the singalong weekend as a "special gift for the fans." Robbins noted that the theatrical event not only fulfills the fans' desire to experience the film in a communal setting but also serves as a promotional opportunity to reach new audiences who may not have watched it on streaming yet.
The creators of KPop Demon Hunters are already discussing the potential for a sequel, and Robbins hinted that the film could evolve into a major franchise. "It could be merchandise, it could be theme parks, it could be more soundtracks," he remarked. With endless possibilities on the horizon, the excitement surrounding this property is palpable.
At the screenings, fans showcased their enthusiasm by taking selfies in their HUNTR/X T-shirts and dancing with glow sticks to the songs. Even those who may not identify as big K-pop aficionados are finding joy in the film. Jackie Fernandez, who attended with her daughter Zenina, expressed her delight: "It was great. I'm turning the soundtrack on in the car!" This sentiment reflects the widespread appeal of KPop Demon Hunters, making it an event not to be missed.
