Netflix gets its first biggest movie in theaters

Netflix’s theatrical release of KPop Demon Hunters sing-along version is projected to earn $18 million to $20 million at the weekend box office, marking a first for the streaming platform.

The Sony-produced animation film, already streaming since late June, has become Netflix’s No. 2 most-watched movie with 210 million views. Its hit song “Golden” topped the Billboard charts and has over 400 million Spotify streams.

The film has outperformed mystery-horror movie Weapons, which grossed $15.4 million in its third weekend for a $115 million domestic total.

Previously, Apple’s F1 The Movie opened with $57 million, showing that streamers can compete in theaters.

Netflix’s prior attempt, Glass Onion, earned $15 million in a one-week run.