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Na Hong-jin’s ‘Hope’ breaks records and expands globally

Overview

Na Hong-jin’s sci-fi action thriller “Hope” has maintained a record-setting run in South Korea following its wide release on 15 July 2026. The film, which follows a police chief and hunter confronting a mysterious creature near the DMZ, reached 3 million viewers in just 11 days, making it the fastest domestic release of the year. It is the most expensive Korean production to date, with a budget exceeding 500 billion won (approximately $33 million), and requires approximately 7 million viewers to reach profitability. Audience reaction remains polarized. While CGV ratings sit at 83% and Naver users average 7.3/10, 56% of viewers award the film a top score of 9–10, while 21% give it a 1–2 rating. Renowned director Bong Joon-ho praised the film as “a daring, mad-filled cinematic storm.” Internationally, the film has gained momentum following its invitation to the 79th Cannes Film Festival and a Best Action Film award at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival. Following its scheduled wide theatrical release in the United States on 9 September 2026, the film has seen strong initial performance. Distributed by Neon, the film set a record for the largest opening of a South Korean film in the United States, earning $1.1 million on its first day of release. As of late September, the film has become the third-highest-grossing Korean film in U.S. box office history, earning approximately $7 million domestically. Globally, the film has earned roughly $44 million against a reported $46 million budget. As of early October 2026, the film is expanding its theatrical presence in international markets, including Germany and Brazil, where it is titled “Hope: O Primeiro Impacto.”

Entities

Na Hong-jin · Hwang Jung-min · Michael Fassbender · Hoyeon · Alicia Vikander

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    South Korean film ‘Hope: O Primeiro Impacto’ arrives in theaters

    South Korean sci-fi film ‘Hope: O Primeiro Impacto’, directed by Na Hong-jin and starring Michael Fassbender, explores human vulnerability through a story of mysterious creatures and extraterrestrial contact.

  2. [CULTURE] 5 sources
    Na Hong-jin's sci-fi film 'Hope' premieres in international cinemas

    Director Na Hong-jin’s new sci-fi action film ‘Hope’ is premiering in international cinemas following its competition run at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.

  3. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    South Korean blockbuster ‘Hope’ debuts at Festival do Rio

    The South Korean blockbuster ‘Hope - O Primeiro Impacto’ debuts at the Festival do Rio, featuring Hoyeon in an action role that required intensive tactical and drifting training.

  4. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Hope: O Primeiro Impacto to premiere in Brazil on October 8

    Na Hong-jin’s sci-fi film ‘Hope: O Primeiro Impacto’ premieres in Brazil on October 8, featuring an international cast and high-tech action sequences set near the South Korean DMZ.

  5. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Korean sci-fi film Hope breaks U.S. box office records

    The Korean sci-fi film ‘Hope’ has become the third-highest-grossing Korean movie in the U.S., earning $7 million and surpassing ‘Snowpiercer’ at the domestic box office.

  6. [CULTURE] 8 sources
    Hope: South Korean sci-fi thriller breaks US opening records

    South Korean director Na Hong-jin’s new sci-fi thriller “Hope” has broken US opening records for Korean films, despite receiving divided reviews for its ambitious action and narrative structure.

  7. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Na Hong-jin’s ‘Hope’ achieves record-breaking box office success

    Na Hong-jin’s sci-fi thriller ‘Hope’ has seen massive success, breaking records in South Korea and securing a wide 1,500-theater release in the U.S. via distributor Neon.

  8. [CULTURE] 7 sources
    Na Hong-jin’s monster epic ‘Hope’ debuts with intense action

    Na Hong-jin’s South Korean monster epic ‘Hope’ is drawing attention for its high-octane action and intense depiction of an alien invasion near the DMZ, despite mixed reviews regarding its CGI and runtime.

  9. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Neon to release Korean monster film ‘Hope’ in 1,500 U.S. theaters

    Neon will release Na Hong-jin’s Korean monster epic ‘Hope’ in 1,500 U.S. theaters on Sept. 9, marking its widest release for a Korean film since ‘Parasite’.

  10. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Neon announces early premium screenings for Na Hong-jin film Hope

    Neon will host exclusive early-access premium format screenings of Na Hong-jin’s sci-fi thriller “Hope” on September 7 at 175 locations across the U.S., ahead of its official September 9 release.

  11. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    South Korean film ‘Hope’ sparks polarizing debate while shattering box‑office records

    ‘Hope’ broke South Korean box‑office records, drawing over 3 million viewers in 11 days, but audience scores split sharply, prompting criticism of reviewers and a comment from the culture minister urging people

  12. [CULTURE] 5 sources
    Na Hong-Jin's Film “Hope” Debuts at San Diego Comic-Con

    Na Hong‑Jin unveiled footage of his alien‑action horror film “Hope” at San Diego Comic‑Con, starring Hoyeon and Hwang Jung‑min; the ten‑year project releases Sept 9, 2026.

  13. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Na Hong-jin's film 'Hope' reaches 3 million viewers in South Korea

    Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' hit 3 million viewers in 11 days, topping South Korea’s box office with 2.6 million admissions by day 9.

  14. [CULTURE] 6 sources
    Na Hong-jin Wins Daniel A. Craft Award at NY Asian Film Festival

    Na Hong‑jin won the Daniel A. Craft Award for Best Action Film at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival, honoring his film HOPE and its North‑American premiere.

  15. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    South Korean sci‑fi film 'Hope' tops 2 million viewers in five days

    Na Hong‑jin’s sci‑fi thriller ‘Hope’ reached 2 million South Korean viewers in five days, setting the fastest 2023 box‑office record and fueling anticipation for upcoming summer releases.

  16. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Bong Joon‑ho praises Na Hong‑jin's action thriller ‘Hope’

    Bong Joon‑ho praised Na Hong‑jin’s new action thriller ‘Hope’, calling it a daring, mad‑filled cinematic storm, while the film’s blend of creature effects and classic action has sold pre‑rights to 200+ regions.

  17. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Na Hong-jin's film 'Hope' shatters Korean pre‑sale records with over 600,000 tickets

    Na Hong‑jin’s sci‑fi thriller ‘Hope’ recorded over 600,000 pre‑sales, a record for a Korean original film, with a 68% booking rate and a budget exceeding 500 billion won, sparking competition with upcoming box‑

  18. [CULTURE] 6 sources
    Na Hong-jin's film 'Hope' shatters South Korea pre‑sale record

    Na Hong‑jin's sci‑fi thriller ‘Hope’ logged 381,000 advance tickets (61% pre‑sale) ahead of its July 15 release, setting a 2026 Korean record and bolstering a financially troubled distributor.

  19. [CULTURE] 5 sources
    Neon releases trailer for sci‑fi horror film “Hope”

    Neon unveiled the trailer for “Hope,” Na Hong‑Jin’s sci‑fi horror film set in a South Korean village, starring Hwang Jung‑min and Jung Ho‑yeon, with a September 9 release after its New York Asian Film Festival

  20. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Na Hong-jin's sci‑fi thriller 'Hope' set for Italy release on Nov 5

    Na Hong‑jin's sci‑fi thriller ‘Hope’, starring Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, opens in Italy on 5 Nov 2023 via Mubi, featuring a fire‑ravaged mountain town and a hunt for a mysterious creature.

  21. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    South Korean sci‑fi thriller ‘Hope’ enters Cannes competition and secures US release

    Na Hong‑jin’s sci‑fi thriller “Hope”, starring Hwang Jung‑Min, Zo In‑Sung and Jung Ho‑Yeon, will compete at Cannes and opens in the US on Sept 9 (Korea on July 15).

Sources

alias.estadao.com.br · arkade.com.br · artreview.com · avenuedelhorreur.fr · biz.heraldcorp.com · blog.nfb.ca · bookandfilmglobe.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · citygalleria.hr · comicbasics.com · comingsoon.net · corrierenerd.it · cubed3.com · dailybest.it · dallas.culturemap.com · ekr.chosunonline.com · es.ign.com · fangirlish.com · flixlandia.com.br · gizmodo.com · hani.co.kr · hopkinsmedicine.org · horrornewsnetwork.net · in.mashable.com · indiewire.com · iskrakielce.pl · jwave.com.br · koreaherald.com · kpbs.org · leon.jp · lucidadvice.com · m.hani.co.kr · m.imaeil.com · martineztribune.com · moviedigger.it · moviepilot.de · movieside.de · mrwillwong.com · news.donga.com · news.heraldcorp.com · newyorker.com · niacouncil.org · noteverticali.it · nzcricketmuseum.co.nz · ouniversodatv.com · outlawvern.com · portadaestrela.com · sakaimanabu.com

This summary has been updated 13 times: see revision history