The American box office is experiencing an eerie calm, reflecting industry fatigue. Major summer blockbusters have come and gone, while the fall lineup of big releases is still in the works.
Against this backdrop, Netflix and Sony’s animated musical *K-Pop Demon Hunters* unexpectedly claimed the weekend’s top spot, raking in an estimated $18-20 million.
Remarkably, this figure comes from a film available to stream freely since June 20, where it has amassed a staggering 210 million views on Netflix.
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This feels like a lighter echo of the viral success of *A Minecraft Movie*, driven by word-of-mouth buzz. Far from killing theatrical releases, the online availability has boosted its cinema appeal. In a barren landscape, with only the fading *Fantastic Four: First Steps* and the horror flick *Weapons* holding any ground, this animated K-pop musical has emerged as the weekend’s most family-friendly draw.
The void left by the lack of major releases, coupled with the quirky charm of "crayfish vibes" (a nod to the surreal emptiness), has made this unlikely hit a surprising winner on a slow week.
