Netflix has exactly four years to accept that its distaste for theatrical releases needs to end. The streaming has been a long-time believer in binge-watch series releases and streaming exclusive movies. In recent years, their arm has been forced into giving many of their movies a minimalist theatrical run to allow them to compete in some awards categories, but in the main, their focus is always still on streaming. That needs to change before the release of KPop Demon Hunters 2 in 2029.
In the last few years, several filmmakers have taken up issue with Netflix’s stance on their movies not getting more than a limited 2-3 day run in cinemas before their streaming debut. In a time when cinemas are desperate for big releases, and many are blaming the rise of streaming as the cause for their current troubles, Netflix could make billions from releasing some of their biggest movies on the big screen.
That is something they may have to address before the sequel to KPop Demon Hunters arrives in four years’ time, as if the movie does not end up getting a substantial theatrical release, there is likely to be a riot. The movie has dominated – and when we say dominated we mean DOMINATED – the Netflix chart for five months straight, rarely dropping out of the Top 5 and only a few days ago was back at the top of the chart until it was dethroned by Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein.
KPop Demon Hunters was created by Sony Animation, but by some unprecedented level of bad judgment, the musical fantasy ended up being passed off to Netflix as part of their bulk content deal. Big mistake…huge, as the line goes. The movie is now the biggest original movie in Netflix history, has had two hugely successful sing-along weekend theatrical releases, and has had several soundtrack songs in the Billboard Chart, including an 8-week unbroken run in the number one spot. If this is not a sign that Netflix needs to abandon their stubborn need to keep everything locked away on streaming, then it is hard to see what could be.
Netflix Is Losing the Battle to Keep Movies Out of Cinemas
Netflix made its name as a supplier of movies to people’s homes, and then became the biggest streaming platform in the world. However, in recent years, both audiences and filmmakers have begun to push back on the streamer’s requirement to mostly not allow any other format of their shows and movies to be seen other than on a TV at home.
In past years, Daniel Craig has called out Netflix for not putting Knives Out in cinemas, and even though both of its sequels have received short theatrical runs, as mentioned, that is more to appease Academy Awards rules than please Craig and director Rian Johnson. However, in contrast, Greta Gerwig has put her foot down when it comes to her Narnia movies, with reports suggesting the filmmaker categorically demanded a theatrical run before agreeing to make the movie for Netflix. As a result, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will get a two-week release on November 26, 2026, in 1000 IMAX theaters – an unprecedented shift for Netflix’s strategy.
Despite originally being rejected, Stranger Things’ series finale will play in theaters on December 31, 2025, bringing one of Netflix’s biggest shows to a close in a fitting way. This is another sign that Netflix may be slightly shifting its strategy despite, in public, continuing to stand by its no-theaters stance.
Right now, KPop Demon Hunters is a movie that, for all its success, could have easily been a $1 billion box office smash. Its two limited sing-along releases, both of which came after the movie had already been on Netflix for months and seen by over 325 million people (and counting), are all the proof needed that its 2029 sequel must get a full theatrical release, and Ted Sarandos is a fool if it doesn’t happen.
- Release Date
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June 20, 2025
- Runtime
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96 minutes
- Director
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Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang
- Writers
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Hannah McMechan, Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang, Danya Jimenez
- Producers
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Aron Warner
