Korean Box Office Pins Hopes on Summer Blockbusters for Revival
As the summer movie season draws near, the Korean film industry is placing its hopes on a revival. After a challenging first half of the year, the local box office pins hopes on summer blockbusters to reignite audience interest and bring back the vibrant cinema momentum the country enjoyed before the pandemic.
Despite a few unexpected hits, Korean cinemas have struggled to match the high attendance figures seen in previous years. So far, the highest-grossing film of 2025 is the domestic crime thriller “Yadang: The Snitch,” which has attracted just over 3.37 million viewers since its April debut. This number pales in comparison to last year’s record-breaking hits such as “Exhuma” and “The Roundup: Punishment,” both of which surpassed 11 million ticket sales in the first six months.
Summer Blockbusters Set to Revive Korean Box Office
Even big names have faced difficulties. For example, director Bong Joon-ho’s Hollywood sci-fi venture “Mickey 17” and Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” each drew a little more than 3 million viewers, falling short of expectations. Now, the Korean box office pins hopes on summer blockbusters to boost ticket sales with a diverse lineup of major releases.
The season kicks off with Danny Boyle’s “28 Years Later,” a sequel in the iconic zombie saga. The story centers on survivors on an isolated island confronting a new infected strain from the mainland. The star-studded cast includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, and Jack O’Connell. Shortly after, on June 25, “F1: The Movie” races into theaters. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, famous for “Top Gun: Maverick,” it stars Brad Pitt and Damson Idris as a seasoned racer and his rookie teammate.
Blockbusters from Jurassic to Superheroes
July 2 marks the return of the Jurassic Park franchise with “Jurassic World: Rebirth.” Directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, the film follows a team exploring a dangerous island in search of dinosaur DNA, uncovering hidden secrets along the way.
Superhero fans will be thrilled as DC Studios releases “Superman” on July 9. Directed by James Gunn, it introduces David Corenswet as the new Superman and aims to refresh the DC Universe with Gunn’s unique blend of wit and deep character storytelling. Marvel Studios follows closely with “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” directed by Matt Shakman. Featuring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, the film tells the story of astronauts gaining extraordinary powers who must defend Earth from the cosmic threat Galactus.
Local Korean Films Lead the Charge
Korean productions are also poised to make a strong impact during the summer. Leading the local releases is “Omniscient Reader: The Prophet,” adapted from a globally popular web novel. The fantasy epic stars Lee Min-ho, Ahn Hyo-seop, and BLACKPINK’s Jisoo. With a production budget around 30 billion won ($22 million), this film stands out for its scale and storytelling. It follows a lone reader navigating a world where his favorite novel’s events come to life. Thanks to its dedicated fanbase and international appeal, it is widely expected to become a major box office success.
Another awaited local movie is “My Daughter is a Zombie,” a comedic yet heartfelt take on the zombie genre. Starring Jo Jung-suk, Cho Yeo-jeong, and Lee Jung-eun, it adapts a beloved online comic about a father’s desperate attempts to protect his zombie daughter. The film artfully blends humor with horror elements, offering a fresh perspective on familiar themes.
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