Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Hope’ Breaks Box Office Records, Surpassing ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ on Opening Day

Korean cinema has significantly impacted American theaters since ‘Parasite’ won multiple Oscars in 2019, yet few Korean-language films have matched its box office success since. Neon, the distributor behind that historic win, has been quietly preparing for another major moment.

That moment arrived with the long-awaited return of director Na Hong-jin to filmmaking. Known for the acclaimed horror film ‘The Wailing’ in 2016, Na took nearly a decade off before unveiling ‘Hope,’ a sprawling creature thriller that premiered at Cannes, receiving a six-minute standing ovation and eliciting mixed critical responses.

Neon committed fully to the film’s U.S. rollout, granting it the widest domestic theatrical release for a Korean-language film since ‘Parasite,’ opening in approximately 1,500 to 1,560 theaters nationwide on September 9. This approach contrasts sharply with ‘Parasite’s’ initial limited release of just three theaters, which later expanded to over 2,000 screens as word of mouth spread.

That gamble paid off handsomely. ‘Hope’ earned an impressive $1.1 million on its Wednesday opening day, surpassing ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s’ opening-day figures from the previous day, despite being shown in far fewer theaters than Sony’s blockbuster. This achievement is remarkable for a subtitled, three-hour Korean genre film competing against one of the year’s biggest superhero releases.

This U.S. debut follows an already record-breaking run in South Korea. ‘Hope’ set the record for the largest single-day opening of 2026 in South Korea, generating approximately $2.5 million from over 333,000 admissions on its July 15 debut. It has since grown to become the eighth-biggest film of the year domestically and is reportedly the most expensive Korean film ever made.

Set in the fictional coastal village of Hope Harbor near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the film follows police chief Bum-seok, portrayed by Hwang Jung-min, and officer Sung-ae, played by Jung Ho-yeon, as they investigate a mysterious creature terrorizing their town. Zo In-sung leads a group of hunters attempting to track the beast, only to find themselves being hunted. The cast also includes Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton, who play roles connected to the film’s alien mystery.

Before its wide release, Neon hosted a one-day early screening event on September 7 across 175 premium theaters nationwide, allowing audiences to experience the film in formats like Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and ScreenX. Reports indicate that several of these early screenings sold out completely, with advance ticket sales suggesting the strong opening the film ultimately achieved.

Na has hinted at the potential for expanding the story if ‘Hope’ finds an audience. “When you watch the film, you can readily imagine a sequel,” Na told TheWrap at Cannes. “There’s a script that’s already been written, and if I have an opportunity, I’d love to make a sequel if possible.”

With ‘Hope’ already outpacing one of the year’s biggest blockbusters on its opening day, the film’s full box office trajectory over its opening weekend will be closely monitored.

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