Foreign films have officially kicked off the May holiday season at the cinemas! After a strong start for Korean movies earlier this year, foreign films have now taken the baton.
During the holiday period, which coincided with Children’s Day and the weekend, the top spots were claimed by new releases “Super Mario Galaxy” and “The Devil Wears Prada 2.” With “Project Hail Mary” also ranking high, foreign films are leading the way this May.
According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticket network, as of the 5th, “Super Mario Galaxy” held the #1 spot with 283,287 viewers in a single day, reaching a cumulative total of 1,110,698. “The Devil Wears Prada 2” followed in 2nd place, with 124,693 viewers and a cumulative total of 959,139.
Of course, Korean films haven’t disappeared. The horror movie “Salmokji” and “Jjanggu,” the directorial debut of actor Jung Woo, are currently meeting audiences. However, whether Korean films are still at the center of the trend is another story. “Salmokji” has seen its momentum slow down after a month of release, and while “Jjanggu” has a steady fanbase, it lacks the power to stand at the forefront of the holiday cinema scene. While Korean films are still present, the main focus of this holiday has shifted toward foreign films.
This is quite a different vibe from the start of the year. The first quarter was dominated by Korean cinema. In particular, Director Jang Hang-jun’s “The Man Living with the King” became a 10-million viewer hit, the first in two years since “Exhuma” and “The Roundup: Punishment” in 2024. “Salmokji” also recorded more than three times its break-even point, giving Korean cinema a great start to the year.
Moving into the second quarter, foreign films like “Project Hail Mary,” “Super Mario Galaxy,” and “The Devil Wears Prada 2” are showing strong performance. Rather than a simple competition between Korean and foreign films, this trend is closely tied to the timing.
May is known as “Family Month,” a time when family audiences frequently visit theaters. During this period, viewers tend to prefer works that can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages. This is why animations, franchises, and films with familiar worlds are performing so well.
The films leading the holiday cinema scene are perfect examples. “Super Mario Galaxy” is a sequel to “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (2023) and an extension of the long-beloved “Super Mario” game series. Its cross-generational characters and bright mood are enough to draw in family audiences.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2,” returning as a sequel after 20 years, has been chosen by a wide audience thanks to its familiar world. “Project Hail Mary,” released earlier, also secured interest based on the recognition of the original novel and word-of-mouth, landing a spot in the top rankings.
The current trend in May isn’t necessarily because “foreign films are stronger,” but because they align perfectly with the current season. Conversely, the strength of Korean films early this year was a result of matching the audience’s demand at that time. Box office success is closely linked not only to the power of the work but also to the release date.
Foreign films filled the screens for the first holiday of May. However, that doesn’t mean Korean cinema is absent. The cinema scene is simply experiencing another shift. After the spring of Korean movies, the spring of foreign films has arrived.
