Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos Confirms Major Theatrical Push for 'KPop Demon Hunters 2'

Netflix is shifting its movie strategy, with co-CEO Ted Sarandos confirming that the upcoming sequel 'KPop Demon Hunters 2' will receive a "very broad theatrical release" before hitting the streaming service. Sarandos made the announcement at Bloomberg Screentime in Los Angeles, signaling a new willingness to embrace longer theatrical windows for select films, according to Whatfinger. "When the 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' sequel comes, you can expect a very broad theatrical release." The move follows the massive success of the original animated title, which racked up 325.1 million views in its first 90 days and stayed in Netflix's Global Top 10 for 63 weeks, as reported by Deadline. The first film's crossover appeal was further demonstrated by a singalong version that grossed an estimated $19 million over two days at the box office, despite a boycott by AMC Theatres over Netflix's refusal to commit to a traditional 45-day theatrical window. Sarandos described the planned rollout for the sequel as "big, broad, global," according to Deadline. Nerdist reported that the sequel is set for a 2029 release on Netflix, with a simultaneous or near-simultaneous theatrical run. The announcement marks a significant pivot for the streaming giant, which has historically prioritized direct-to-streaming releases. Beyond 'KPop Demon Hunters 2', Sarandos also outlined a cinema-first approach for other upcoming Netflix films, including 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' and 'Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory', as noted by PinkNews. The strategy appears aimed at "serving" movie lovers who crave the big-screen experience, according to Power Pop Radio, while still maintaining the convenience of streaming for subscribers.

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