Set to Surpass “Parasite”… Korean Animated Film Sparks Massive Box Office Storm Upon Release
The Korean-made animated film The King of Kings is making headlines in North America, debuting at #2 on the box office chart on its opening day and triggering a commercial frenzy.
According to box office tracking sites on April 12, the film grossed $7.01 million on its first day across 3,200 theaters in North America. The opening weekend gross is projected to reach $18 million, with many anticipating it could outperform the North American box office record of Parasite.
The movie came in just behind The Minecraft Movie and outperformed major Hollywood titles such as Amateur and The Drop, marking a rare feat for a Korean animated feature. Interest in Christian-themed content is expected to surge ahead of Easter (April 20), further fueling box office momentum—especially among family audiences.
The King of Kings is a 3D animated theatrical feature produced by Korea’s Mofac Studio. Directed, written, and produced by Chang Sung-ho, with cinematography by Kim Woo-hyung, the film is adapted from The Life of Our Lord by British author Charles Dickens, originally written for his children. The story covers the life of Jesus Christ from birth to crucifixion and resurrection, presented through the eyes of John, the young son of the disciple Peter. John follows his father and witnesses Jesus’s teachings and miracles.
The film’s emotional climax is built around Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection, delivering a message of hope. The animation includes vivid recreations of key biblical scenes—his baptism by John the Baptist, the gathering of the 12 disciples, healing the sick, and walking on water.
Adding further impact is the Hollywood voice cast:
- Oscar Isaac as Jesus
- Pierce Brosnan as King Herod
- Kenneth Branagh as Peter
- Uma Thurman as Mary
- Mark Hamill as Judas
Critics praised Oscar Isaac’s warm yet commanding voice, capturing both the human and divine sides of Jesus. The 3D visuals impressed audiences with detailed renderings of 1st-century Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, and the Temple, all supported by historical research and field studies in Israel.
The film’s U.S. distributor, Angel Studios, is being credited for its breakout success. Known for its 2023 hit Sound of Freedom (which grossed $184 million on a $5.7 million budget), Angel has shown the strong market potential of faith- and family-oriented content. Many believe The King of Kings could surpass even that record.
Until now, the most successful Korean film in North America has been Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite, which grossed $54 million. However, it opened with only $380,000 in its first weekend and expanded gradually—The King of Kings has already far exceeded that pace.
Angel Studios implemented aggressive marketing strategies, including a “Kids Go Free” campaign where each adult ticket came with a free child’s ticket. They also partnered with churches for group ticket packages, especially in celebration of Easter.
Audience response has been overwhelmingly positive. The film received an A+ CinemaScore the highest possible rating prompting strong word-of-mouth. Viewers called it “the perfect family film moving and meaningful.” Many praised the animation for softening intense scenes, making the film accessible for all ages. On X (formerly Twitter), viewers posted, “Never seen Jesus’s life portrayed this beautifully,” and “We laughed and cried together as a family.”
Mofac Studio, the production company behind the film, is a leader in Korea’s CG and VFX industry. CEO Chang Sung-ho has over 20 years of experience and has contributed to blockbuster films and dramas like Tidal Wave, The Admiral: Roaring Currents, The Legend, and My Love from the Star. Mofac also worked on the U.S. series Spartacus. The King of Kings marks the studio’s first independently produced feature-length animation, showcasing Korea’s global animation potential.
The film’s success is already spreading beyond North America. It is confirmed for release in the UK, Canada, and Australia, with distribution deals under discussion in Latin America and Europe. With a production budget of $25 million, The King of Kings has already recovered more than half its costs during its debut weekend, and is expected to continue its strong performance well into May.
