It’s not often that Netflix gives one of its titles a big-screen expansion. But making an exception for KPop Demon Hunters is certainly paying off.

Revolving around three K-pop superstars who protect fans through their secret identities as demon hunters, Sony Pictures Animation’s smash-hit musical had an impressive US$18-million domestic debut over the weekend with its sing-along screenings, as per several box-office trackers. All told, 1,700 theaters across North America participated in this limited engagement through August 23 and 24.

KPop actually beat horror pic Weapons, which did US$15.6 million in ticket sales this weekend. However, since Netflix doesn’t officially report theatrical grosses, Weapons is technically at the top of the domestic charts. 

But technicalities aside, these numbers mean that Netflix has earned its first number-one title at the box office. It’s a notable case of huge streaming viewership translating into mass moviegoing—giving young fans an eventful way to experience the film’s stylistic visuals on a bigger screen. The strategy to release a sing-along version seems to be a key factor for success, capitalizing on the popularity of the film’s chart-topping soundtrack. 

To that end, Netflix is wasting no time in leveraging this momentum back onto its platform. The streamer will be adding the sing-along version of the film to its library starting today. It’s good timing as KPop is close to becoming the most-watched Netflix film ever, currently sitting at 210.5 million views and closing in on the number-one spot occupied by Red Notice (230.9 million views).  

The lead-up to the sing-along screenings was also designed to generate hype. KPop stars Arden Cho (Rumi), May Hong (Mira) and Rei Ami (singing voice of Zoey) lit up the Empire State Building in New York on Friday to launch a “music-to-light spectacular” synced to hit song “Golden” from the film’s soundtrack. And on Saturday, Ami teamed up with co-star Kevin Woo (singing voice of Mystery Saja) for a surprise double-decker bus concert in Manhattan—as seen in footage shared by Netflix.