In an unexpected move that signals a potential shift in its distribution strategy, Netflix's animated streaming hit, “KPop Demon Hunters,” has entered movie theaters with a special sing-along version. This theatrical release comes as the summer box office season winds down, and despite Netflix’s historical reluctance to engage in traditional cinema releases, with its CEO having previously labeled theaters as “outdated.” The film, which has already been available on Netflix for over two months and ranks as the platform's second most-watched film ever, demonstrates a clear appetite among fans to experience it on the big screen.

While the horror film “Weapons” comfortably retained its top spot at the box office on Friday, earning $4.7 million, “KPop Demon Hunters” is poised to make a surprising bid for the weekend's top position. It is bowing in more than 1,700 locations, a significantly wider release than Netflix's previous limited theatrical run for “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” which played in approximately 600 venues. Although Netflix did not report box office grosses for “Glass Onion” and may opt not to for “KPop Demon Hunters,” this expanded theatrical presence is a remarkable development. Meanwhile, other new releases include Universal's “Honey Don’t!” debuting in 1,417 theaters, earning $1.4 million across Friday and previews, while holdovers like Disney's “Freakier Friday” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” continued their runs. Universal's “The Bad Guys 2” showed a strong hold, while “Nobody 2” experienced a more significant drop in its sophomore weekend. Specialized releases such as Bleecker Street's “Relay” and Vertical’s “Eden” opened outside the top 10, and A24’s re-release of the globally successful Chinese feature “Ne Zha II” struggled in North America despite a new English dub.

At its core, “KPop Demon Hunters” is a high-energy, high-concept supernatural action comedy produced by Sony Pictures Animation. The narrative centers on the girl group Huntrix, comprised of the rebellious woldo-wielding Mira, Burbank-raised rapper Zoey, and purple-braided orphan Rumi. These ultra-talented superstars secretly use their immense popularity in the K-pop world to defend the mortal realm from the malevolent demon king Gwi-Ma. A crucial aspect of their defense strategy involves leveraging the unwavering love of their fans to construct a formidable barrier known as the Golden Honmoon, designed to permanently repel the demonic forces.

The plot thickens when Jinu, one of Gwi-Ma's most tortured acolytes, devises an ingenious plan: he forms a rival K-pop group, the Saja Boys, with four ridiculously handsome fellow demons, intending to lure Huntrix's dedicated fanbase to the dark side. A compelling human-demon rom-com subplot intertwines the destinies of Rumi and Jinu, both of whom harbor significant secrets. Rumi, in particular, carries the burden of her hybrid status, being the daughter of a pop-singer mother and a demon father, marked by the same purple imprints as the spirits she is sworn to eliminate. This secret is known only to Huntrix’s trusted trainer, Celine, who believes Rumi can control her demonic heritage, unaware of her protégé's burgeoning feelings for Jinu or his own hidden complexities.

Co-directed by Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang, the film distinguishes itself with a playful and innovative approach to computer animation. It draws significant inspiration from webtoons and manhwa (Korean graphic novels), emphasizing dynamic silhouettes and characters hitting and holding lively key poses as the camera glides around them. This distinctive visual style, which once served as a cost-saving measure in animated series like “Speed Racer,” now imbues “KPop Demon Hunters” with a unique Asian flavor. This aesthetic is further enhanced by charming comic-book touches, such as characters' pupils swelling into puffy red hearts upon seeing the Saja Boys, and Zoey's eyes hilariously transforming into six-pack abs or buttery corncobs in reaction to their physique, providing memorable visual gags.

The film deftly balances its comedic elements with visually appealing action sequences. Violence is rendered artfully, with demons cleanly sliced or exploding into bursts of confetti, ensuring the film maintains its PG rating by implying rather than explicitly showing gore. Adorable animal sidekicks, designed to resemble figures from Korean folklore, add another layer of charm. Given its K-pop setting, original music and catchy choreography are paramount. The macaronic soundtrack, featuring a mix of English and Korean lyrics, includes three hits for Huntrix – “How It’s Done,” “Golden,” and “Takedown” – performed by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. A standout duet, “Free,” performed by Ejae and Andrew Choi (the singing voices for Rumi and Jinu), further elevates the musical experience, making the film a compelling musical even if audiences don't immediately perceive it as such.

“KPop Demon Hunters” has garnered praise for being a more entertaining animated offering compared to contemporary releases like Pixar’s “Elio,” effectively leveraging its unapologetically silly premise to unleash creative animation. Its sustained success on Netflix, climbing to become the platform's second most-watched film ever, powerfully attests to strong fan engagement. This enthusiastic reception is undoubtedly a key factor in Netflix’s decision to pursue an unusual theatrical release, marking an intriguing evolution in the company's distribution strategy and highlighting the enduring appeal of the film beyond the streaming environment.