Even though Netflix has a strong policy about distributing its movies for streaming only, the streamer is making a shocking exception for good reason. Before becoming the streaming giant that it is today, Netflix was once the go-to place to rent DVDs for movies. However, they soon led the way in transitioning to a streaming platform, making it accessible for movie lovers to access films right from home.

Since then, the brand has catapulted into a major distributor and producer, with their original content, including Red Notice, Carry On, and more. While Netflix has made a few attempts to distribute its movies to theaters, like Glᴀss Onion, the studio has a strong stance of making movies exclusive to streaming. Even their CEO, Ted Sarandos, called the theater approach “outdated,“ creating quite a discord about the state of the movie industry today.

However, it seems that Netflix has been making a few exceptions in light of recent events. Greta Gerwig’s Narnia movie will have an IMAX release on the Thanksgiving weekend of 2026 before eventually dropping on Netflix on Christmas Day. Guillermo del Toro has also hinted that his Frankenstein movie could get a theater release, although the details are still unclear. Now, one of Netflix’s record-breaking movies is getting a rare theater release nearly two months after its debut on the streaming service.

KPop Demon Hunters Is Getting A Theatrical Release With A Sing-Along Event

KPop Demon Hunters has become a viral sensation since its release on Netflix in late June. Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the musical fantasy follows a K-pop girl group called Huntr/x, in which the three members live a double life as demon hunters. However, their efforts to protect souls are soured when a rival group, the Saja Boys, emerges, as they happen to be demons.

Since its release, the Netflix movie has become an overnight sensation, sporadically topping the streaming charts. KPop Demon Hunters songs like “Your Idol” and “Golden” have been making music records, which has led to discussions about their Oscar potential. As a result of word of mouth and virality, KPop Demon Hunters recently unlocked Netflix’s Top 10 Most Popular List, currently ranking at No. 4 with 158,800,000 views.

According to showtimes on Fandango, it appears that KPop Demon Hunters will get a rare theatrical release with a sing-along event. Currently, screenings are scheduled for just August 23 and 24, but it’s unclear if there are plans to extend this theatrical run. Although showtimes are listed, there is no set date when the tickets will become available, and the movie will be available in select theaters.

What This Means For KPop Demon Hunters

Since the discovery of these showtimes, neither Netflix nor Sony has commented on the sing-along event for KPop Demon Hunters. While the reasons for the theater release are unclear, it makes sense to push for a sing-along similar to the case with Wicked last December.

Plus, there have been reports of the studio’s hopes to expand the movie into a franchise with a live-action film and sequels. This only indicates how much of a mᴀssive success the musical has become, as it’s likely to continue making records on the music billboards and streaming.

KPop Demon Hunters is already Oscar-eligible since it had a limited release in a few markets a week before its release. However, given its virality, this may push for an even wider campaign, especially as movies prepare for the award season in the latter half of the year. In any case, KPop Demon Hunters is finally getting its moment in theaters, and audiences can now show off those vocal skills in just a matter of weeks.