Walk into a CGV or Lotte Cinema in Seoul right now and things feel... different. Honestly, the vibe has shifted. Gone are the days when every single month had to have a massive 10-million-viewer "tentpole" just to keep the lights on. People are being way more selective. They’re looking for something specific, something that feels real, or maybe just something that doesn't feel like a cookie-cutter corporate product.
It’s January 2026, and if you’re looking at what’s actually playing, the marquee is a wild mix of massive Hollywood sequels and surprisingly scrappy domestic winners.
What’s Currently Topping the Charts
Right now, the big conversation is about Avatar: Fire and Ash. It’s been sitting at the top of the box office for weeks, which isn't exactly a shocker. James Cameron has a weirdly strong grip on the Korean audience—people here love the spectacle. But here’s the kicker: a relatively quiet Korean drama called Once We Were Us (Man-yak-e Uri) actually managed to outpace Avatar’s daily admissions earlier this month, despite being on half the screens.
That tells you everything you need to know about the current state of movies in korean theaters. Word of mouth is the only currency that matters anymore. If a movie is good, people will find it, even if it’s tucked away in the smaller halls.
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Then you have the comedy fans flocking to Heartman. It’s got Kwon Sang-woo, who’s basically the king of "ajae" (dad) humor at this point, playing a guy trying to win back his first love. It’s light, it’s funny, and it’s exactly what people want when the wind is cutting through the streets of Gangnam at -10 degrees.
The Big Shifts in 2026
We’re seeing a "less is more" strategy take hold. Last year, the industry was a bit of a mess. Too many big-budget films flopped. This year, the number of major commercial releases is expected to drop—maybe only 20 or so compared to 40 last year. But the quality? It feels like it’s finally going up.
- The Mid-Budget Renaissance: The Korean government basically doubled the budget for supporting mid-sized films. They realized that the "all or nothing" blockbuster model was killing the industry.
- Animation is Massive: It's not just for kids. Between Zootopia 2 and various anime releases like the Chainsaw Man movie and Jujutsu Kaisen, the "kidult" demographic is carrying the weekend numbers.
- The Return of the Masters: Later this year, we’re getting Na Hong-jin’s Hope. It’s his first film since The Wailing (2016). It stars Hwang Jung-min and Jo In-sung, and apparently involves aliens in a remote village near the DMZ. The budget is rumored to be around 100 billion won. That is insane.
Why You Should Care About the "Indie" Scene
If you’re only watching the top three movies on the chart, you’re missing out. Smaller films like Choir of God and Good Fortune are pulling in decent numbers because they offer something the big CGI fests don't: heart.
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The industry is also obsessed with "cross-platform" stuff. Take the movie Once We Were Us—it’s heavily tied to the Netflix series Trigger. People watch the show, get hooked, and then head to the theaters to see the connected film. It’s a smart way to guarantee an audience in a world where everyone is tempted to just stay home and order Baemin.
Practical Tips for Your Next Theater Trip
If you're actually in Korea or planning to visit, don't just walk up to the counter.
- Download the Apps: CGV, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox all have apps. You can see real-time seating. If a movie has a high "Egg Score" on CGV, it’s usually worth your time.
- Specialty Theaters: Korea has some of the best theaters in the world. Look for "ScreenX" (270-degree viewing) or "Private Box" if you want to feel like royalty.
- The Popcorn Game: Seriously, the flavors here are wild. Garlic, caramel, and "onion" are standard. Don't knock the squid either.
What to Watch Out For Next
February is going to be huge. Ryoo Seung-wan, the guy who did Veteran, has a new espionage thriller called Humint coming out on February 11th. It’s set in Vladivostok and follows secret agents from both Koreas. It’s expected to be the first domestic smash of the year.
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Also, keep an eye on Colony. It’s Yeon Sang-ho’s return to the zombie-verse (Train to Busan style), starring Jun Ji-hyun. If that doesn't bring people back to the cinema in droves, I don't know what will.
Your Action Plan for Movies in Korean Theaters:
- Check the KOBIS (Korean Film Council) website daily if you want the raw data on what's actually selling. It's the most accurate way to see what's trending.
- Prioritize the "Culture Day" which is the last Wednesday of every month. Tickets are usually half-price between 5 PM and 9 PM.
- Look for English Subtitles: If you don't speak Korean, look for "Lotte Cinema World Tower" or "CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall." They occasionally run major Korean hits with English subs for the expat and tourist crowd.
- Follow the Directors: In 2026, the director's name is a better guarantee of quality than the lead actor. If it's Na Hong-jin, Ryoo Seung-wan, or Park Chan-wook, just buy the ticket.
The era of the mindless blockbuster might be fading, but the era of the good movie is just getting started. Grab some popcorn, find a seat, and enjoy the show.