Full Breakdown
South Korean Box Office Highlights: "Project Hail Mary" Takes the Lead
4/6/2026, 11:10:00 AM
Box Office Performance Overview
During the weekend of April 3-5, 2026, "Project Hail Mary" emerged as the top film at the South Korean box office, earning $2.4 million from 328,750 admissions. This performance secured a 39.56% share of the weekend's revenue, contributing to a cumulative gross of $12.2 million since its debut on March 18. The film, featuring Ryan Gosling, has quickly gained traction among audiences.
In second place, "The King’s Warden" continued its impressive run, crossing the $100 million revenue milestone. The historical drama added $1.7 million over the weekend, bringing its total gross to $103.1 million, with 270,272 admissions recorded. It is now less than 170,000 admissions away from surpassing the 2019 comedy "Extreme Job," which currently holds the record for the second most-watched film in South Korean history with 16.26 million admissions.
New Releases and Other Performers
The local crime-action comedy "The Ultimate Duo" debuted in third place, earning $263,270 since its release on April 2, with a total gross of $349,149. Directed by Park Cheol-hwan, the film follows a veteran detective and a rookie cop as they navigate a high-stakes murder case.
The Japanese romantic drama "The Last Song You Left Behind" opened in fourth place, generating $257,847 and a cumulative total of $371,666 since its April 1 launch. "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle Arc" saw a notable increase in revenue, landing in fifth place with $293,306, bringing its total to $41.4 million.
Pixar’s "Hoppers" secured sixth place with an additional $147,399, totaling $4.8 million. The local horror-thriller "Salmokji: Whispering Water" followed in seventh place, earning $126,297 from pre-release screenings.
Upcoming Releases
Looking ahead, the film "Salmokji: Whispering Water," directed by Lee Sang-min and featuring Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jong-won, is set for a wide release on April 8. The film centers on a filming crew encountering supernatural phenomena at a remote reservoir.
Market Trends
The overall market gross for the weekend was $5.8 million, a decline from the previous week's total of $7.9 million. This drop reflects the competitive landscape of the South Korean box office, where established titles continue to dominate despite the introduction of new films.
Verbatim Quotes
This analysis highlights the dynamic nature of the South Korean box office, showcasing both the success of established films and the potential of new releases.
