This weekend is shaping up to be a jaw-dropper at the box office, with Netflix unexpectedly stepping into the spotlight. Distribution insiders are already grimacing about what may end up as one of the weakest weekends of the year, sparking concerns that this summer’s total might even lag behind last year’s totals.

But wait—for a twist! Netflix, known mostly for its streaming prowess, is unleashing a sing-along version of its hit animated film 'Kpop Demon Hunters' in around 1,700 theaters, primarily for a Saturday and Sunday run. And get this: over 1,100 venues are already sold out! Early projections show 'Kpop Demon Hunters' could rake in over $15 million, potentially edging out the current champion, New Line’s 'Weapons,' which is forecasted to earn roughly $13.5 million this weekend.

Not only is 'Kpop Demon Hunters' gaining traction, but it also boasts a staggering 210.5 million views on Netflix, making it the second most viewed film on the platform. It’s on track to surpass the current frontrunner, 'Red Notice,' which stands at 230.9 million views. The animated feature has maintained a phenomenal average of 26 million views per week over the past fortnight without a dip in interest.

What adds a bit of intrigue is the available seat numbers: 'Weapons' has 3.9 million seats up for grabs this weekend, but 'Kpop Demon Hunters' isn’t far behind with 3.4 million.

However, there's a caveat—the limited two-day release complicates how accurately box office estimates can gauge its success until Saturday. Plus, the film's primary target audience, young females, tends to turn out in droves initially but may dip afterward. Nonetheless, enthusiasm is palpable over early ticket sales.

Netflix typically doesn’t disclose box office earnings, but there are precedents, such as when it shared financial expectations for 'Knives Out: Glass Onion' during its short Thanksgiving run, which grossed $15 million. This makes it hard to predict just how much 'Kpop Demon Hunters' will actually bring in, especially since Netflix avoids reporting its numbers in standard industry tracking systems.

The film, co-written and co-directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, follows three young pop stars—Rumi, Mira, and Zoey—as they juggle their supernatural heritage with the pressures of fame. When a powerful demonic antagonist tries to steal their fans' souls by launching a rival K-pop boy band, they must join forces to fend off this existential threat—all while keeping their bond alive. Notably, the film's Kpop groups are now positioned as the highest-charting ever, rivaling real-world sensations like BTS and Blackpink.

As for other releases this weekend aimed at more sophisticated audiences, Ethan Coen’s 'Honey Don’t!' is projected to pull in over $3 million across 1,300 locations, while David Mackenzie’s 'Relay' is looking at modest returns in the single digits.