‘KPop Demon Hunters’ is the technical winner of this week’s box office.
The movie has been on Netflix for two months but landed in theaters for a sing-along version.
‘Weapons’ also continues to do well.
Netflix is not traditionally a company that releases its movies on the big screen, preferring to drive people towards the app on TVs and elsewhere. There have been exceptions –– award-worthy movies scored short qualifying theatrical runs and Greta Gerwig negotiated an IMAX run for her in-the-works ‘Narnia’ effort.
But there hasn’t been anything like ‘KPop Demon Hunters’, the story of a K-pop superstar girl group who also just so happen to save the world from demonic forces, which has been on the streaming services servers for two months now, surging to become the second-most watched movie on the platform, with some of its songs soaring into download charts.
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Netflix decided to ride the movie’s popularity, and released it as a “sing-along” version on 1,700 screens across North America (and more internationally), scoring a reported figure of between $18-$20 million, which makes it the highest grossing release of the weekend. But there’s an asterisk…
Here’s where things get more complicated. Since Netflix doesn’t release box office figures and wouldn’t comment about ‘Demon Hunters’ actual earnings, the data comes via exhibition sources and rival studios with access to certain data.
So the actual, final tally may never be known.
Which means that Zach Cregger’s successful horror pic ‘Weapons’ technically counts as the top earner for the weekend with $15.6 million from 3,631 cinemas in its third week for an impressive global total of nearly $200 million, through Sunday.
What else happened at the box office this weekend?
If we are to fully count ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ as the top of the charts, that makes ‘Weapons’ a strong second place.
Disney’s ‘Freakier Friday’ fell to third place, making $9.2 million for a global total of $112.3 million.
Fourth was ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’, which despite early promise hasn’t really lived up to Marvel’s hopes. It took in $5.9 million for a current global total of $490.1 million.
And in fifth, we find animated outing ‘The Bad Guys 2’, which made $5.1 million and had earned $149.1 million globally.
In other box office news, Apple’s ‘F1’, the Brad Pitt-starring racing drama, roared past $600 million worldwide this weekend to become the most successful original movie of 2025.
Can I watch the Sing-Along version of ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ at home?
You can! In a move that surprised few, Netflix announced that the sing-along version of the movie would arrive on servers on Monday August 25th, so by the time you’re reading this, you’d be able to go and sing along to “Golden” or ‘Takedown” in the comfort of your own home (though from the viewing figures, plenty of you were already doing that).
Opening in theaters on August 1st is ‘The Bad Guys 2’, DreamWorks Animation’s sequel to the 2022 original, with Pierre Perifel back directing and JP Sans as co-director for this one.
DreamWorks Animation is not a company to let a successful first movie get away without spawning a franchise. We’ve had swathes of ‘Kung Fu Panda’ outings, various ‘Madagascar’ entries (plus spin-offs) and numerous ‘Shrek’ films –– another is on the way next year.
Of course, then, ‘The Bad Guys’, which managed to delight family audiences in 2022 when the box office was still feeling the lingering ill effects of the pandemic, is back for another go-around.
And fortunately, this one is a largely positive catch-up with some very entertaining characters that has a few flaws here and there, but overall works.
The screenplay for animated movies is always a moveable feast, with ideas dropped in or ripped out at the storyboard and even animatic stage. This movie’s script comes courtesy of Yoni Brenner (a veteran of the ‘Rio’ and ‘Ice Age’ franchises), Etan Cohen (‘Holmes & Watson’), both taking loose inspiration from the ‘Bad Guys’ kids’ books by Aaron Blabey.
We’re re-introduced to our animal crooks with a prologue set during the height of their heisting days for a fun sequence that mashes up the likes of the ‘Fast & the Furious’ films with ‘Mission: Impossible’ as the team steals a priceless car from a billionaire (Omid Djalili).
From there, we head to the present day, where the lifestyle of Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell) and the rest is far from glamorous –– they’re struggled to make ends meet as they continue their quest to live a legal life. A chance to help track down a new criminal threat is curtailed when they’re blackmailed by a team of even sneakier crooks into pulling off (you guessed it!) one last job.
‘The Bad Guys 2’s story moves along at a decent enough clip, though it does suffer from pacing issues, going from frenetic action moments to long-winded bouts of exposition that are largely carried by the vocal work.
Still, once the true mission of the “Bad Girls” is revealed, things certainly take off.
Directorially, Pierre Perifel and his artists largely keep what worked about the original, with a winning blend of animation styles that calls to mind the ‘Spider-Verse’ movies without directly aping it. When you consider that the first ‘Bad Guys’ shifted how DreamWorks handles the look of (some of) its output, it’s easy to see why they chose to stay in that lane.
The vocal work on the movie is once again solid, with Rockwell in particular delivering his trademark charm as Mr. Wolf. He pairs well with a returning Zazie Beetz, who is his equal as Diane Foxington, the reformed criminal-turned-governor. The pair shares the most flirtatious animated dynamic since Disney’s ‘Robin Hood’.
Elsewhere, the other “Bad Guys” get a decent amount to do, with Marc Maron’s Mr. Snake handed the best storyline –– his romance that turns out to have a connection to the Bad Girls is always entertaining, and his work opposite Natasha Lyonne as his paramour is great.
Other new arrivals fare perhaps less well; Danielle Brooks is fine as Kitty Kat, the mastermind behind the other criminal crew, while Maria Bakalova is largely left to be support as hench-pig Pigtail (though she’s still good value).
It might not hit the heights of the first movie, but ‘The Bad Guys 2’ is a decent follow-up to that movie, with a fresh new dynamic that largely sidesteps the repetitive pitfalls of sequels.
And while there is comedy competition at the box office, its family target should equal a solid launch.
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What’s the story of ‘The Bad Guys 2’?
Featuring the return of the crackerjack crew of animal outlaws, the now-reformed Bad Guys are trying (very, very hard) to be good.
Yet they instead find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals they never saw coming: The Bad Girls.
With the original ‘The Bad Guys’ movie proving to be a success for DreamWorks Animation –– and especially since it had to contend with post-pandemic worries about moviegoing –– a sequel was naturally commissioned.
The now-reformed Bad Guys are trying (very, very hard) to be good, but instead find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals they never saw coming: The Bad Girls.
The likes of returning voice cast Sam Rockwell (Mr. Wolf), Craig Robinson (Mr. Shark), Awkwafina (Ms. Tarantula), Anthony Ramos (Mr. Piranha) and Marc Maron (Mr. Snake) were joined by new recruits Danielle Brooks (Kitty Kat), Natasha Lyonne (Doom) and Maria Bakalova (Pigtail).
Rockwell and co. were on hand to talk up the movie and introduced clips from the sequel, including one where the characters go to space.
Acting in an animated movie is no easy task, since the cast rarely spend time together in the voice booth, working off voice cues from the director and other crew.
And they talked up their wildest efforts in method acting and throwing themselves around for physical scenes. Danielle Brooks, who plays Kitty Kat, used a lollipop to help her specific line deliveries.
For much of the cast, this was their first trip to Hall H at Comic-Con and they discussed how it feels to be up on stage experience clips of the movie with a big audience.
When will ‘The Bad Guys 2’ be in theaters?
The new DreamWorks Animation outing will crack its way into theaters on August 1st.
(L to R) Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba and Ariana Granda is Glinda in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Preview:
‘Wicked: For Good’, ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ and more were showcased at Universal’s CinemaCon show.
There was news of sequels to the live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ and ‘The Bad Guys.’
The likes of Jon M. Chu and Scarlett Johansson were on stage to support their movies.
Universal’s 2024 was successful partly thanks to Jon M. Chu’s musical adaptation ‘Wicked,’ and with follow-up ‘Wicked: For Good’ on the way this year, some of the studio’s focus was always going to be on the movie –– which features two new songs not found in the stage source material.
Beyond that, we were expecting peeks at movies from the studio’s various arms and partners at this year’s CinemaCon presentation, including horror home Blumhouse and DreamWorks Animation, which continues to push the likes of the ongoing ‘Shrek’ franchise and others.
And not forgetting dinosaurs: another jewel in Universal’s crown in the ‘Jurassic Park’/‘Jurassic World’ movies, and with ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ headed to theaters this summer, we’d have been shocked to not see something fresh from that.
(L to R) Luna Blaise and the T-Rex in ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, directed by Gareth Edwards. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Here’s what happened at the studio’s show and tell…
Universal’s big display kicked off sonically, with the company’s President of music and publishing Mike Knobloch introducing Rickey Minor and an all-star orchestra playing a collection of tunes from the studio’s back catalogue –– ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘Fast & Furious,’ ‘Despicable Me,’ ‘Jaws’ and even the likes of DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Shrek’ and ‘How to Train Your Dragon,’ with clips from the movies on screens.
And, naturally, last year’s huge smash was among them, with ‘Wicked’ fully represented.
Universal chairman Donna Langley arrived on stage to celebrate the fact that the studio has released more theatrical movies since the pandemic than any other. She bypassed the idea that shrinking theatrical windows were to blame for audiences skipping cinemas.
Pete Levinson, the chairman of Universal distribution took over to essentially praise the company for its $3 billion in grosses last year. And to remind us all that ‘Wicked: For Good’ is on the way in November.
Scarlett Johansson as skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett in ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, directed by Gareth Edwards. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Noted dino fan Johansson related how she’s tried to get cast in all three previous ‘Jurassic World’ movies without success, eventually collaring Steven Spielberg to plead her case.
Edwards joked she was probably too expensive for the films –– which didn’t seem to sit well with Scarlet (probably all in good fun?)
The director also recalled watching the original ‘Jurassic Park’ as a kid (10 times in a day!) and how much of an honor it is direct this talented cast in a ‘Jurassic’ movie. He dropped mention that Mahershala is an Oscar winner, to which Ali comically corrected him that he has two!
Mahershala Ali is Duncan Kincaid in ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, directed by Gareth Edwards. Photo: Universal Pictures.
‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ filmed in Thailand, with Johansson recalling many “pinch me’ moments on set and on location.
The trio introduced some fresh footage from the movie –– some of it unfinished. Mahershala said he’d seen it, to which Scarlet joked she was supposed to see everything first per her contract.
As for the footage, it largely tracked what we saw in the first trailer, with Johansson’s specialist leading a team to an abandoned ‘Jurassic Park’ staging island to retrieve genetic material to source lifegiving medical cures. A new hybrid dino we’ve yet to meet
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‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ stomps into theaters on July 2nd.
(from left) Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos) and Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘The Bad Guys 2’, directed by Pierre Perifel. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Following their short before ‘Dog Man,’ the ‘Bad Guys’ crew will be properly back on our screen later this year.
(from left) Hiccup (Mason Thames) and Stoick (Gerard Butler) in Universal Pictures’ live- action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo: Universal Pictures.
The live-action/CG take on the tale (which screened earlier in the day at the event to generally great acclaim) had stars Gerard Butler and Nico Parker on stage alongside director Dean DeBlois to talk it up.
They also announced that a sequel has already been greenlit, and that that one will fly into theaters on June 11th, 2027.
Butler was also given the chance to set the orchestra playing some of John Powell’s recognizable score.
‘How to Train Your Dragon’s live-action remake will be flying into cinemas on June 13th.
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The whistlestop presentation moved onto…
‘HIM’
Produced by Jordan Peele, the blend of sports story and horror sees a promising young football player joining an isolated compound to train under a dynasty team’s aging quarterback.
Bob Odenkirk in ‘Nobody.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.
The sequel to the 2021 Bob Odenkirk-starring action movie showcased its first trailer, full of more bone-crunching action, with Sharon stone joining the cast. The story this time finds Hutch Parker (Odenkirk) taking the family on vacation, only to run afoul of Stone’s criminal organization. Cue vengeance!
The movie hits cinemas on August 15th.
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Next, it was the turn of Focus Features…
Focus chairman Peter Kujawski took the stage to hype his studio arm’s upcoming titles and say that every film by the company is made for theatrical.
Toy Freddy in ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’, directed by Emma Tammi. Photo: Universal Pictures. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures Toy Freddy in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, directed by Emma Tammi. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
The orchestra struck up music of the video game adaptation, which heralded one of the animatronic characters (well, a suit based on them) striding on stage.
After some confusion as to how to remove the head, it turned out to be company boss Jason Blum, who joked he so loves to save money that he was in the costumes the whole time for the original movie.
The original ‘Freddy’s is Blumhouse’s biggest hit of all time, so of course the sequel is already in the works. Blum also apologized for the decision to make that movie day and date on Peacock, so this follow-up will be cinemas only upon release.
And that release? December 5th.
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Blum also cued up a teaser, which sees the return of Josh Hutcherson’s Mike and more animatronic chaos.
Ethan Hawke as The Grabber in ‘The Black Phone,’ directed by Scott Derrickson.
Not done with the costume theatrics, Blum arrived back on stage in a Grabber mask to offer that the sequel to Scott Derrickson’s 2021 kidnap horror thriller will be in theaters on October 17th.
Actor Madeleine McGraw, who returns for the new movie (and is CinemaCon 2025 Rising Star of the Year), joined Blum on stage to talk about the movie, which is Derrickson’s first-ever sequel.
We were treated to a first look trailer for the new movie. The footage finds the two kids (played by McGraw and Mason Thames) dealing with the repercussions of the first movie. Ethan Hawke’s Grabber is back –– even though he died –– but we only hear his voice in the trailer.
‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ director James Wan at CinemaCon 2022. Photos by Eric Charbonneau.
Atomic Monster boss James Wan –– whose company has formed a creative partnership with Blumhouse –– came on stage to talk up ‘Soulm8te,’ which if it sounds like a more grown up take on ‘M3GAN’ (or really, ‘Companion,’ with its story of a female robo-partner who turns out to be an issue), that’s because it’s set in the same universe as the devious doll.
‘Soulm8te’s first look played, followed by word of a January 2md. 2026 release.
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And then…
2026 Universal Preview
‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
Jim Orr, the studio’s president of theatrical distribution, came on stage to discuss even further in the future. To coin a phrase, more sequels!
He confirmed the likes of ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie 2′ (April 2026), ‘Minions 3’ (July 2026) and ‘Shrek 5‘ (yes, featuring Zendaya in a voice role, arriving Christmas 2026).
But there are originals too, including Christopher Nolan’s epic ‘The Odyssey’ (July 2026) and a certain Mr. Steven Spielberg’s still-to-be-titled new event movie, which will arrive in June 2026.
Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
To the strains of ‘Defying Gravity,’ the presentation wrapped with ‘Wicked’ stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande taking the stage –– and, yes, referring to holding space as per the viral interview meme –– to discuss the follow-up, and thank theater owners for their support.
They were joined by producer Marc Platt and director Jon M. Chu, who joked that this is the third year his movie(s) have closed out a Universal CinemaCon presentation.
Chu quipped:
“It all worked out!”
(Center L to R) Cynthia Erivo (as Elphaba), Director Jon M. Chu, and Ariana Granda (as Glinda) on the set of ‘Wicked’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Getting serious to discuss how the new movie follows the ramifications of the young women’s choices from the original.
We got a first look at the movie via an extended trailer, which finds Glinda and Elphaba meeting again after some time has passed since the end of ‘Wicked.’
Elphaba uses her powers to write, The Wizard of Oz Lies!” in the sky, while we get our first clear look at Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion.
‘Wicked: For Good’ soars on to screens on November 21st.
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And with that… Universal was done for CinemaCon 2025!
Ariana Grande is Glinda in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures.
