Los Angeles — In a surprising turn of events at the box office, Netflix’s animated film “Kpop Demon Hunters” has surged to the top of the North American charts, earning between $18 million and $20 million over the weekend. This marks a notable achievement for the streaming service, known more for its absence in theaters than for dominating ticket sales.

Though Netflix has not released official figures, industry projections suggest that “Kpop Demon Hunters” outperformed expectations, surpassing the anticipated earnings of “Weapons,” which was forecasted to secure the top spot with an estimated $15.6 million from more than 3,600 theaters in its third weekend. This animated fantasy features a K-pop girl group on a mission to save the world through their music and is currently playing on approximately 1,700 screens, a significant expansion compared to previous Netflix theatrical releases.

It’s worth noting that “Kpop Demon Hunters,” which debuted on Netflix two months ago, has quickly become the second-most watched film on the platform. Its soundtrack has also struck a chord with audiences, with three of its original songs climbing into Billboard’s Hot 100. The film’s theatrical run seems aimed not only at garnering revenue but also at reigniting interest in streaming viewership and setting the stage for potential sequels.

Entertainment analyst David A. Gross highlighted the upbeat atmosphere surrounding the screenings, noting that audiences have been engaging enthusiastically, singing and dressing up as they enjoy the film. He emphasized that parents and children have embraced the movie, even in the absence of traditional audience ratings, which were not available for this release.

While “Weapons” may not clinch the top position, it remains a sleeper hit, amassing $115.9 million domestically and nearing $199 million globally since its release. The film, directed by Zach Cregger, has received favorable attention, following the success of his previous project, “Barbarian.” This success continues a streak of victories for Warner Bros., which has produced several successful titles this summer.

Despite “Kpop Demon Hunters” stealing the spotlight, the overall box office figures reflect a slowing trend. Currently, this summer’s ticket sales stand at $3.5 billion, a decrease from earlier projections that suggested the season could surpass the pre-pandemic benchmark of $4 billion. Paul Dergarabedian, a senior analyst, classified the current weekend as one of the slowest as the summer season nears its end.

However, there are silver linings for the industry, as titles like “Weapons” and Disney’s “Freakier Friday” maintain a strong presence. The latter is expected to place third with $9.1 million, bringing its domestic total to $70 million. Its appeal is boosted by the return of leads Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, who reprise their roles in a comedic family environment.

In contrast, this weekend’s other notable opening, Ethan Coen’s dark comedy “Honey Don’t!” debuted modestly at No. 8 with approximately $3 million. Despite a strong cast featuring Chris Evans and Aubrey Plaza, the film struggled to attract audiences, particularly given its niche premise.

Meanwhile, A24 launched an English version of the successful Chinese film “Ne Zha II,” though its North American performance raised eyebrows, generating only $1.5 million from 2,228 theaters. Nonetheless, the film remains a global phenomenon, having already amassed over $2.1 billion in worldwide earnings.

Overall, the summer box office is reflecting a complex tapestry of viewer interests, balancing the emergence of new blockbusters with the ongoing success of established franchises, all while navigating shifting audience dynamics.