A Korean animated film, The King of Kings, has overtaken Parasite to become the highest-grossing Korean movie in the U.S., earning over $54.7 million in just three weeks.
Milestone for Korean Cinema
On April 28, 2025, Mofac Studio, the production company behind The King of Kings, announced that the film had grossed $54.51 million in the U.S. as of April 27. This surpassed the $53.84 million earned by Parasite, the 2019 Oscar-winning film directed by Bong Joon-ho. The achievement came just three weeks after the animated film’s release on April 11, 2025, across 3,200 theaters in North America.
The film’s success continued, with an estimated $4 million added over the April 25-27 weekend, bringing its total to $54.7 million. This milestone marks a significant moment for Korean cinema, as an animated feature has now outpaced a globally celebrated live-action film.
About The King of Kings
The King of Kings is a 3D animated film produced by Mofac Studio, a Seoul-based animation company. Directed and written by Jang Sung-ho, the studio’s CEO, the film is based on Charles Dickens’ book The Life of Our Lord, written in 1934 for his children. The story follows the life of Jesus Christ, from his birth to his resurrection, focusing on themes of compassion and redemption.
The film features a star-studded English-language voice cast, including Oscar Isaac as Jesus, Mark Hamill, Pierce Brosnan, Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman, Ben Kingsley, Forest Whitaker, and Roman Griffin Davis. Its high production quality and visually stunning narrative have drawn praise from audiences.
Distributed by Angel Studios, a U.S.-based company, the film was fully completed by Mofac Studio before its acquisition in November 2024. Jang Sung-ho emphasized maintaining creative control, stating he avoided U.S. funding to preserve his vision and ownership of the project.
“I could’ve gotten U.S. money easily, but I would’ve lost control over the vision and ownership of the work,” Jang told the Korea Herald.
Record-Breaking Opening and Audience Reception
The King of Kings made history with its opening weekend, grossing $19.1 million from April 11-13, 2025. This surpassed the 1998 animated film The Prince of Egypt, setting a new record for the highest-grossing opening weekend among animated biblical films. The film also earned over $14.6 million in presales, reflecting strong early interest.
Audiences have embraced the film, giving it an A+ rating in CinemaScore surveys, a testament to its broad appeal. The film’s release coincided with Easter (April 20, 2025), a major U.S. holiday, which boosted its performance due to increased family audiences. Posts on X echoed this enthusiasm, with users calling it a “groundbreaking moment in film history.”
“A groundbreaking moment in film history! #TheKingofKings has officially surpassed ‘Parasite’ to become the top-grossing Korean film in the U.S. See the story that’s moving millions now!” @KingofKingsAnim
Surpassing Parasite’s Legacy
Parasite, released in 2019, was a global phenomenon, grossing $262.7 million worldwide, including $53.84 million in the U.S. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, it became the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, alongside awards for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film. It also won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and set records as the highest-grossing foreign-language film in the U.S. at the time.
Despite its critical and commercial success, Parasite has now been overtaken by The King of Kings in U.S. box office earnings. The animated film’s rapid rise highlights the growing global influence of Korean animation and its ability to compete with live-action blockbusters.
Factors Behind the Success
Several factors contributed to The King of Kings’ record-breaking performance. Its release in 3,200 theaters ensured wide accessibility across North America. The timing around Easter attracted family audiences, a key demographic for animated films. The star-studded voice cast, including globally recognized actors, added mainstream appeal.
The film’s high production quality, led by Mofac Studio, a veteran in animation and visual effects, also played a role. Jang Sung-ho, a seasoned VFX supervisor making his directorial debut, brought a meticulous approach to the project. The narrative’s universal themes, rooted in Charles Dickens’ work, resonated with diverse audiences.
Netizen Reactions and Social Media Buzz
The film’s success sparked widespread discussion on social media, particularly on X, where users celebrated its achievement. Many highlighted the significance of a Korean animated film surpassing Parasite, a cultural landmark. Others praised the film’s emotional depth and visual beauty, noting its appeal to both children and adults.
“The animated film The King of Kings surpassed Parasite as the highest-grossing Korean film in the U.S., earning $54.5 million against Parasite’s $53.7 million. Directed by Korean Seong-ho Jang, it’s a proud moment for Korean animation!” @grok
“Korean Mofac Studio’s animated filmhas overtaken Bong Joon-ho’sto become the highest-grossing Korean film in the U.S., with $54.7 million so far. Set for Korea release in July 2025!” @2D_YUNG
Some users expressed surprise at the rapid success, noting that few predicted an animated film would outgross Parasite. The consensus was one of pride for Korean cinema’s continued global impact.
The Future of The King of Kings
The King of Kings is expected to continue its strong box office run in the U.S., with potential for further growth as it reaches more audiences. The film is scheduled for release in South Korea in July 2025, where it is likely to attract significant attention given its U.S. success.
The achievement sets a new benchmark for Korean animation, which has historically been overshadowed by live-action films like Parasite, Train to Busan, and The Admiral: Roaring Currents. Industry observers see this as a sign of the rising global demand for diverse animated content, especially from Asia.
Korean Animation’s Growing Influence
While Korean cinema has gained international acclaim through films like Parasite, animation has been less prominent. The King of Kings marks a turning point, showcasing Mofac Studio’s ability to produce world-class animation. The studio’s expertise in visual effects, combined with Jang Sung-ho’s creative vision, has elevated Korean animation to new heights.
This success comes at a time when major U.S. studios like Disney, Warner Bros., and Universal have reduced their focus on original animated features. The gap has allowed independent and international films like The King of Kings to thrive, highlighting the potential for Asian animation to fill the void.
Current Updates
As of April 30, 2025, The King of Kings remains in U.S. theaters, continuing to draw audiences. Its box office total stands at approximately $54.7 million, with expectations of further increases. The film’s success has sparked discussions about the future of Korean animation, with Mofac Studio poised to lead the charge. Its upcoming release in South Korea in July 2025 is highly anticipated, with fans eager to see how it performs in its home market.
CREDITS: koreajoongangdaily, koreaherald
