Director Na Hong Jin’s new film Hope is earning mostly positive reviews from North American critics following its theatrical release.
Na Hong Jin’s Hope opened at No. 2 at the North American box office. According to Box Office Mojo, on September 11th, Hope earned $1.1 million from 1,560 theaters on September 9rd, its opening day in North America. It ranked second at the box office, while also recording the highest average per-theater gross at $705.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey took the top spot, earning $1,262,245 from 2,312 theaters. Spider-Man: Brand New Day ranked third with $1,001,545 from 3,250 theaters.
Daily final numbers for Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
1. The Odyssey – $1.26M for $591.85M
2. Hope – $1.1M (new – estimate)
3. Spider-Man: Brand New Day – $1M for $925.97Mhttps://t.co/oLhXyzj98Q#BoxOffice #TheOdyssey #Hope #SpiderMan @MovieNumbers pic.twitter.com/IYo09FZvaY— The Numbers (@MovieNumbers) September 10, 2026
Hope also posted the second-highest opening-day gross ever for a Korean film released in North America. The record remains held by director Shim Hyung Rae’s D-War, which earned $1.602 million from 2,277 theaters on its opening day in 2007.
While Hope has received sharply divided reactions in South Korea, North American audiences have responded more positively so far. The film currently holds an 80% Tomatometer score and a 76% Popcornmeter audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The latest reviews come separately from the coverage surrounding the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, with several major U.S. outlets taking a closer look at Hope as it opens in North American theaters.
The Washington Post gave Hope 3.5 out of 4 stars, calling it “the strangest blockbuster seen in a long time.” The review praised the film’s unusual blend of horror, sci-fi, slapstick comedy and large-scale action, while noting that some of its visual effects feel rough around the edges.
Associated Press gave the film 3 out of 4 stars. While the review noted its lengthy 156-minute runtime and uneven pacing, it praised Na Hong Jin’s constantly shifting genres and perspectives. It also highlighted the film’s climactic chase sequences, Hong Kyung Pyo’s cinematography, and Jung Ho Yeon’s performance.
San Francisco Chronicle gave Hope a perfect 4 out of 4 stars. The review praised Na Hong Jin’s fresh take on the familiar monster movie formula, particularly its action, humor and characters. However, it saw the ending’s apparent setup for a sequel as a drawback.
The New Yorker focused on the film’s bold genre mash-up, praising its attempt to combine large-scale action, black comedy and social commentary. At the same time, the review noted that the film’s abrupt shifts between genres can make its tone feel inconsistent.
The Daily Beast compared Hope to Hollywood blockbusters, praising its action choreography, monster design, and Hwang Jung Min’s performance. However, it was less impressed by some of the CGI and the depth of the story.
Houston Chronicle praised the tension and action during the film’s first 90 minutes but felt that the momentum weakened in the second half, as the story leaned more heavily on CGI and sequel setup.
Overall, the North American reviews are largely positive, with critics applauding Hope for its ambitious genre blend, action, and Na Hong Jin’s distinctive direction. The film’s 156-minute runtime, uneven pacing in the latter half, and some of its visual effects remain the most common points of criticism.
Hope opened in theaters across North America on September 9th.
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