South Korean animated film “The King of Kings” has become the highest-grossing Korean film in the United States, surpassing the previous record held by Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning “Parasite.”
According to its production company Mofac Studios on April 28, “The King of Kings” reached cumulative earnings of $54.51 million (around 78.6 billion won) as of the previous day, surpassing “Parasite”‘s final U.S. box office revenue of $53.84 million (77.7 billion won).
“The King of Kings” achieved this milestone in less than three weeks since its release on April 11, suggesting that its total box office could rise even further. Upon its debut, the film ranked second at the box office and generated over $7 million (10.1 billion won) in ticket sales within a single day.
Audience feedback has also been strong, with the Korean production receiving an A+ rating, the highest possible score, from CinemaScore’s exit surveys. The approach of Easter, one of the biggest holidays in the U.S., further boosted family attendance, contributing to the film’s success.
Produced by South Korea’s Mofac Studios, “The King of Kings” is a 3D animated feature directed, written, and produced by Mofac CEO Jang Seong-ho, with co-production by cinematographer Kim Woo-hyung. The music was composed by Kim Tae-seong, known for his work on films such as “War of the Arrows,” “The Admiral: Roaring Currents,” and “1987: When the Day Comes.”
Adapted from “The Life of Our Lord” by British author Charles Dickens, a work written for his children, the film presents a familiar story for Western audiences, especially in North America. The voice cast includes prominent Hollywood stars such as Oscar Isaac, Pierce Brosnan, Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman, Mark Hamill, and Ben Kingsley.
Director Jang is recognized as a pioneer in South Korea’s computer graphics (CG) and visual effects (VFX) industries. Mofac Studios previously worked on major Korean films like “Haeundae” and “The Admiral: Roaring Currents,” as well as TV series such as “The Legend” and “My Love from the Star.” The studio also contributed to the U.S. TV series “Spartacus.”
Angel Studios, the North American distributor of “The King of Kings,” is also drawing attention in Hollywood. Classified as a small independent distributor, Angel Studios made headlines in 2023 by grossing $184 million (262.4 billion won) domestically with its low-budget thriller “Sound of Freedom.” Industry observers predict that “The King of Kings” may surpass Angel Studios' previous box office record.
