'Hope', from 'The Wailing' director Na Hong-jin, tops South Korean box office
The sci-fi survival thriller, directed by Na Hong-jin, generated $11.3 million over its opening weekend and reached a total of $16 million by July 20th, 2026
Director Na Hong-jin’s highly anticipated sci-fi survival thriller "Hope", which opened in South Korean theatres on July 15, has reportedly rocked the domestic box office, generating $11.3 million from 1,504,019 admissions over the three-day weekend window. It has collected a total of $16 million
Director Na Hong-jin’s highly anticipated sci-fi survival thriller "Hope", which opened in South Korean theatres on July 15, has reportedly rocked the domestic box office, generating $11.3 million from 1,504,019 admissions over the three-day weekend window. It has collected a total of $16 million
Director Na Hong-jin’s highly anticipated sci-fi survival thriller "Hope", which opened in South Korean theatres on July 15, has reportedly rocked the domestic box office, generating $11.3 million from 1,504,019 admissions over the three-day weekend window. It has collected a total of $16 million
Director Na Hong-jin’s highly anticipated sci-fi survival thriller "Hope", which opened in South Korean theatres on July 15, has reportedly rocked the domestic box office, generating $11.3 million from 1,504,019 admissions over the three-day weekend window. It has collected a total of $16 million as of Monday morning, July 20, 2026, as per data tracked by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).
On its opening day, it set a record by registering $2.5 million, marking the highest opening-day score of the year and the largest in Na Hong-jin’s career. It also hit the 2 million ticket milestone on Sunday afternoon, outpacing previous major hits of the year like "The King's Warden" and "Colony".
A big-budget creature feature, "Hope" follows residents of a remote coastal town battling a mysterious alien entity. It features a high-profile ensemble cast including Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon, and Hollywood stars Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander. After premiering in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, the film is slated for a United States release by Neon on September 9, 2026.
As for Indian theatres, an exact release date has not yet been locked, but the film is scheduled to arrive in Indian cinemas around September 2026. The India-based distribution company Star Entertainment acquired the Indian theatrical rights for the film following its record-breaking pre-sales window at the Cannes Film Festival. Its wide global release begins in North America on September 9, 2026, with other territorial windows handled by MUBI and regional partners bringing it to screens through October and November. Star Entertainment is expected to follow a concurrent September timeframe to maximise the international hype. Tentative Hindi-dubbed teasers indicate a Fall 2026 premiere.
Na Hong-jin is a highly acclaimed filmmaker known for directing intense, gritty thriller and horror masterpieces. Before "Hope", Hong-jin directed three major feature films — "The Wailing", "The Chaser" and "The Yellow Sea" — all of which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.