'Chainsaw Man', 'Exit 8' Dominate Box Office as Original Fanbases Pack Theaters

The Korean box office is currently buzzing with the fervor of anime adaptations and live-action films based on video games, captivating audiences with stories that resonate deeply with existing fanbases.

As of October 28th, 'Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Rebellion' (극장판 체인소 맨: 레제편) secured the top spot at the box office, drawing 20,366 viewers on that day alone, bringing its total viewership to 2,591,686. Following closely in second place was 'Exit 8' (8번 출구), which attracted 12,818 viewers, reaching a cumulative audience of 212,458.

Both films currently holding the top two positions are Japanese productions, and crucially, both are based on pre-existing IPs with established and dedicated fan communities. This trend highlights the significant power of well-executed film adaptations to draw their loyal followers into cinemas.

Adding to their box office success are engaging fan-centric events. 'Chainsaw Man' has amplified the excitement through merchandise giveaways featuring key characters. A particularly popular promotion offered posters depicting the iconic 'Reze' scene, a fan-favorite moment from the original work. Even in its fourth week, the film continued to entice audiences with a limited 'Reze Encore Poster' giveaway, tapping into the desire for collectible items.

'Exit 8' is also adapted from a hit game with over 1.9 million downloads worldwide. The horror game had previously gained traction among the MZ generation through gameplay videos shared by numerous YouTubers. The movie faithfully recreates the game's premise: a man trapped in an endlessly looping underpass must identify anomalies within the repeating corridors to find the titular 'Exit 8' and escape. This immersive approach allows viewers to experience the protagonist's perilous journey firsthand, making it a 'participatory horror film.'

'Exit 8' has successfully appealed not only to original fans but also to horror enthusiasts by skillfully blending the game's interactive fun with cinematic narrative. This synergy propelled the film past the 200,000-viewer mark in just seven days of release and has maintained its strong second-place position in the box office charts.

The wave of anime and game adaptations builds on the success of 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village' (극장판 귀멸의 칼날: 무한성편), released in August. Even two months after its premiere, 'Demon Slayer' consistently remained in the Top 10, showcasing its enduring appeal and amassing a total revenue of over 59.7 billion KRW, making it the highest-grossing film of the year. This demonstrates a successful expansion from niche appeal to mainstream popularity.

"Anime and games are no longer niche cultures enjoyed only by specific demographics or generations," commented one film industry insider. "With a solid original work, it's possible to capture not only existing fans but also the general audience."

Korean netizens are reacting positively to the success of 'Chainsaw Man' and 'Exit 8', with comments like "The original source is truly the best," "The merchandise events were perfect," and "I hope to see more movies like this." Fans who have played the game or read the original work, in particular, are expressing high satisfaction with the film adaptations.