Na Hong-jin’s latest masterpiece HOPE has officially made history, exploding into the North American market and securing the #2 spot at the box office on opening day.
According to Box Office Mojo on September 11, HOPE premiered across approximately 1,560 theaters on September 9 (local time), pulling in an impressive $1.1 million (approx. 1.48 billion KRW) on its first day.
Dominating the Box Office with Unmatched Efficiency
While Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey claimed the #1 spot with $1.26 million across 2,312 theaters, HOPE managed to outperform major Hollywood heavyweights. Notably, it surpassed Spider-Man: Brand New Day (directed by Destin Daniel Cretton), which grossed $1.0 million across more than double the number of screens (3,520 theaters).
HOPE achieved the highest per-screen average among major contenders at $705, easily outpacing Odyssey ($545) and Spider-Man: Brand New Day ($284). This marks the second-highest opening score for a Korean film in North America, following Shim Hyung-rae’s D-War (2007) at $1.6 million, and sets a brand-new record as the highest-grossing opening day for a foreign film released by distributor NEON (the powerhouse behind Parasite).
Critical Acclaim from Major US Outlets
Mainstream American media and critics have been quick to praise the film’s relentless momentum and bold direction:
- The Hollywood Reporter: Described the film as “insanely entertaining” and “a massive work rushing forward like it’s slamming down on the accelerator, with dazzling direction that is practically dizzying.”
- The New York Times: Highlighted that “it’s worth holding out for the twist at the end,” adding that “intriguing questions keep the film moving.” The publication also praised how the film “plays delightfully with genre conventions and audience expectations.”
- Esquire US: Published a review titled “Korean Monster Thriller Targets the Next ‘Avatar’,” pointing to a wave of diverse analyses and reviews pouring in from critics and fans alike.
On Rotten Tomatoes, HOPE maintains a “Fresh” status with an 80% Tomatometer score based on 107 critic reviews, alongside a solid 76% Popcornmeter score reflecting positive audience reception right out of the gate.
Global Momentum and High Stakes
Box office analyst Luiz Fernando noted on social media that North American distributor NEON was highly optimistic about Na Hong-jin’s sci-fi thriller following its massive buzz at the Cannes Film Festival. By securing the largest-ever theater count for a Korean film in the US, that bet paid off in a “massive blockbusting success.”
Director Na Hong-jin, alongside cast members Jo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon, are currently on a North American promotional tour. From September 7 to 15, they are visiting major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, and San Francisco to host special screenings and Q&A sessions with local fans.
As the most expensive production in Korean cinema history, HOPE already secured staggering pre-sales across over 200 territories worldwide, recovering half of its net production budget before even premiering. With such an electrifying start in North America, all eyes are on how far this global phenomenon will ultimately go.
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