Korea Box Office: ‘Moana’ Captures Crown While ‘The Eyes’ Retains Second Place
Disney’s live-action “Moana” topped the South Korean box office over 10 to 12 July, overtaking local thriller “The Eyes”, which remained in second place. The result matters because it shows strong audience demand for a major Hollywood family release, while also highlighting the continued resilience of local productions in a competitive market. The weekend also lifted the overall market, suggesting a healthier theatrical frame than the previous week.
“Moana” earned $3 million from 403,931 admissions, taking 36.53% of the weekend market and reaching $3.7 million in total since opening on 8 July. “The Eyes” added $1.8 million from 257,816 admissions for a cumulative $8.7 million, while “Toy Story 5” was close behind on $1.7 million and $17.6 million overall. Elsewhere, “David” debuted in fourth with $390,901, “Colony” reached a hefty $41.4 million cumulative total, and the overall weekend box office rose to $8.2 million from $7.3 million the week before.
In short
- “Moana” opened at number one in South Korea
- “The Eyes” held second despite new competition
- Total weekend box office rose to $8.2 million
Explained simply
South Korea maintains one of the world's most competitive film markets, where audiences have strong preferences shaped by both global blockbuster releases and local productions. The weekly box office is watched closely as a barometer of viewer interests and the overall health of theatrical cinema in the country.
Hollywood studios regularly release major productions in South Korea, where they compete for audiences alongside films made by Korean filmmakers. The market has proven capable of supporting both international and domestic releases, with audiences dividing their attention between different types of films depending on what is in cinemas.
The balance between global and local cinema at the Korean box office reflects the country's position as both a significant market for international studios and a home to a thriving film industry. Strong performances by films of all origins suggest a healthy theatrical market where diverse storytelling can find audiences.