(Image courtesy of Netflix)
After becoming a global sensation last summer, animated blockbuster "KPop Demon Hunters" delivered staggering viewership numbers for Netflix. The streamer quickly capitalized on the phenomenon by announcing plans for a stage musical, a live-action remake, a spinoff series and two animated feature sequels. Now, Netflix intends to give fans something many missed the first time around: the chance to experience the girl group's dazzling performances on the big screen.
(Image courtesy of Netflix)
Speaking at Bloomberg's Screentime conference, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos teased, "When the 'KPop Demon Hunters' sequel comes, you can expect a very broad theatrical release." The original film received a limited run of sing-along screenings in North America last year, but the engagement was extremely brief. By emphasizing a "very broad" release, Sarandos may be signaling a global theatrical rollout with a full exclusive window.
The "KPop Demon Hunters" sequel is not the only movie Netflix plans to release widely in theaters. The streamer has already given "La Bola Negra" a full 45-day theatrical window this year, while the first film in its new "Chronicles of Narnia" adaptation, "Narnia: The Magician's Nephew", will receive similar treatment next year.
(Image courtesy of Netflix)
Sarandos also acknowledged that Netflix is developing a new approach to theatrical distribution. "We're looking at this model and saying, 'How do we serve movie lovers who may want to see this movie in a theater?' And, 'How do we do that without harming the value of Netflix? How do we do that to best promote the movie globally?' Movies that perform well at the box office don't necessarily attract more viewers on Netflix. The most passionate audiences have already seen them in theaters, so by the time they arrive on Netflix, you've already lost those highly engaged viewers. What's left are people who say, 'I was going to see that in a theater,' or, 'I'll get around to watching it sometime.'"
Sarandos said that this is why Netflix's most-watched movies tend to be its own originals rather than licensed films coming off theatrical runs. He noted one major exception, however: kids and family titles, whether Netflix originals or licensed movies, are often watched repeatedly by subscribers.