Still from the film HOPE <Plus M Entertainment>

Na Hong-jin's HOPE opened at No. 8 at the North American box office in its first weekend. Over the three days from the 11th through the 13th local time, the film grossed approximately $3.31 million, placing behind Buddy at No. 6 and Insidious: Out of the Further at No. 7. 

HOPE opened on 1,560 screens across North America on the 9th local time. Cumulative revenue from its opening day through the 13th stands at approximately $5.01 million. Figures are based on Box Office Mojo. Over the same period, the No. 1 title for the North American weekend was Practical Magic 2, which recorded about $30 million. 

A Tiger in Hope Harbor - Starring Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Hoyeon

 HOPE is a sci-fi action film set in a port village adjacent to the Demilitarized Zone. The story begins when Bum-seok, the police officer heading the Hope Harbor substation, receives a report from local young men that a tiger has appeared. Hwang Jung-min plays Bum-seok, with Zo In-sung and Hoyeon also starring. International cast members include Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell and Cameron Britton. 

Assessments from overseas outlets have also followed. One overseas outlet wrote that Na Hong-jin turns driving, racing and horseback-riding sequences into something as graceful as ballet. Another pointed to the director's craft in pacing, twists and action.

First Film in 10 Years Since THE WAILING; $41.25 Million Worldwide

HOPE is Na Hong-jin's first film in the 10 years since THE WAILING (2016). Its net production budget is reported at around 50 billion won, understood to be the highest level ever for a Korean film. Ahead of release, the film was pre-sold to some 200 countries, recouping more than half of its net production budget and setting a record for the highest overseas pre-sales figure for a Korean film. 

Global cumulative revenue including Korea stands at approximately $41.25 million. That translates to roughly 55 billion won, a figure that exceeds the scale of the film's net production budget. Domestic theatrical admissions reached 4.57 million. 

Director Na Hong-jin and actors Zo In-sung and Hoyeon have been carrying out a local promotional schedule since the 7th local time, visiting New York, Los Angeles and Chicago in turn. Na Hong-jin is reported to be scheduled to visit Austin and San Francisco as well. Attention now turns to how far HOPE can push its cumulative revenue, depending on its second-week performance in North America.

Sources

• Segye Ilbo, “HOPE Opens at No. 8 in First North American Weekend… Practical Magic 2 Takes No. 1,” 2026.09.14

• The Korea Economic Daily, “Na Hong-jin’s HOPE Posts $5 Million in First Week in North America… Largest Release Since Parasite,” 2026.09.15

• Ilgan Sports, “Na Hong-jin’s HOPE Connects in North America… Over 6.7 Billion Won in Opening Week,” 2026.09.15

• Womennews, “Na Hong-jin Breathes Easier in North America… 6.7 Billion Won in Revenue in Opening Week,” 2026.09.15