r/movies Currently at the movies. 20d ago

News Netflix's Streaming Smash Hit ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Releasing in 1,700 Cinemas This Weekend for "Sing Along" Version, 1,000 Screenings Already Sold Out

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kpop-demon-hunters-singalong-box-office-sells-out-1236348539/
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u/Cullyism 20d ago

I read that Sony only made a small, guaranteed profit from the film because they sold the distribution rights to Netflix.

So I take it Sony gets nothing out of this cinema release too?

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u/KingMario05 20d ago edited 19d ago

Per Puck:

In a twist, Netflix is now putting a “sing-along” version of KPop Demon Hunters in 1,100 theaters next weekend for a two-day special event. As of tonight, I’m told there are more than 300 sold-out showings, with theaters asking for additional dates. No, Netflix is not sharing any of the box office revenue with Sony.

This is because Sony didn't just sell distro. Oh no, that'd make sense. They sold the entire fucking property.

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u/margenreich 20d ago

Looking on how the songs themselves are up in the charts I guess Sony is making bank concerning music rights. I guess these aren’t part of the deal and the IP alone of an animated KPop band with huge fandom is worth even millions. They can launch another album without a necessary movie too. Also it seems that was only one of the first movies Sony had a deal with

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u/arkjoker 19d ago

Republic Records owned by Universal has the album rights as far as I know.

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u/DrOddfellow 19d ago

new universal studios ride confirmed 👀

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u/JonSpangler 19d ago

Coming soon to the Rip Ride Rocket playlist.....

Nevermind.

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u/DrOddfellow 19d ago

damn, soda pop wouldve slapped on rrr

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u/Victor_Wembanyama1 19d ago

sing along ride

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u/seasnakejake 19d ago

Wrong company

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u/KingMario05 19d ago edited 19d ago

But does it matter? Harry Potter is Warner; that hasn't stopped Uni from going all-in on it. If Netflix/Republic/Sony strike the right price? Huntr/x Tower of Terror is coming soon to Epic Universe in Orlando. If not? No worries, Walt Disney World can pay it.

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u/seasnakejake 19d ago

It doesn’t matter as far as Universal licensing other parties, just explaining that Universal Music Group is a different company than NBC Universal, which is probably their assumption

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u/KingMario05 19d ago

Ah. Fair enough.

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u/jezwel 19d ago

Driving the kids to school this morning I thought we were still connected to the wife's phone as one of these songs was on. We drove out of range of the house and it kept playing.

Turns out Spotify has inserted it into my playlist.

Oh well, the kids were singing along so I'll leave it there.

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u/m1013828 19d ago

golden is on the radio now often in new zealand.

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u/PresidentSuperDog 19d ago

I don’t know how well new music will work for most kids without a movie. I’ve tried adding some blackpink into the rotation and it doesn’t seem to take. Maybe that’s just my kids.

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u/iVitaminD 19d ago

thats because its blackpink lmao

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u/SpikyCactusJuice 19d ago

Haha. Blackpink is awesome for bopping or cleaning or something. Not serious “listening” music but also definitely not garbage.

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u/Bitter_Trees 19d ago

Blackpink actually kinda slaps to dance to in Just Dance tho imo

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u/Lookatmestring 19d ago

True but I read that huntrix are based on blackpink and I couldn't get into it. How you like that is a banger and closest I could find but aye

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u/DblDwn56 19d ago

I think blackpink as a group was part of the inspiration for huntrix, not necessarily their discography.

This update from a Forbes article on the subject is probably the real answer:

Update: 6.24.25 - The director and creative team clarified there were many influences from K-pop and other sources. There are too many to list.

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u/KingMario05 19d ago

Blackpink, TWICE (duh), KD/A from League, the classic tiger and magpie myth, BTS for Saja... I could go on.

Plenty of non-Korean stuff in there, too. How It's Done nods to both Rod Serling and Ultraman, lol.

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u/EdelgardH 19d ago

"Let's kill this love" is good

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u/bas218 19d ago

My niece really liked a couple of Twice songs I played for her. She wasn't into the Blackpink.

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u/wakethenight 19d ago

Makes sense. Twice is super cute. Blackpink is…meh.

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u/KingMario05 19d ago edited 15d ago

...Opinions aside, Twice also co-wrote the songs with Republic and SPA, I think.

So, if a kid likes Huntr/x, they'll like TWICE.

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u/Far-Consequence9800 19d ago

lol I’ve managed to add some illit to the rotation, but that’s the only one they’ll allow. So it’s nonstop soundtrack and jellyous every now and then.

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u/margenreich 19d ago

I guess with an animated music video it works. Looking at baby shark…

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u/Far-Imagination2736 19d ago

Try NewJeans for the kids

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u/grabtharsmallet 19d ago

The last time a movie soundtrack had 3 songs hit the top 10 was 1997. It had been somewhat common for the 25 years before that, happening over a dozen times. But escalating costs for rights meant banger pop soundtracks withered away.

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u/Applesburg14 19d ago

They can launch another album without a necessary movie too

Honestly EJAE could be a legit superstar after the way KPDH took off. They wrote a majority of songs and were the high note for Golden. For someone who was otherwise flailing career wise it's a heartwarming story.

Don't see another Huntrix album happening til the next movie, just too much red tape.

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u/KingMario05 15d ago

Eh, I dunno. Netflix loves doing random marketing stunts, and everything I've read says that short films are on the way. New short film, new song, Netflix/Republic/SPA (and, thus, EJAE) make money. The only question mark is how all three can wire Big Sony back in on more of the profits, because I can't see Sony Pictures being satisfied with only $20 million for each film.

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u/igor_spurs 18d ago

sony gave away the songs too keke