#1 of 46 #1 Korean-language movie of 2023
2023 · History, Action
$97.5M worldwide · 27% of the chart's total
No US & Canada figure reported
Korean box office · 2023
Korean Box Office 2023: Highest-Grossing Korean Movies
12.12: The Day (2023) is the highest-grossing Korean-language movie released in 2023, with $97.5M worldwide, ahead of The Roundup: No Way Out (2023) at $83.4M and Smugglers (2023) at $36.9M. 46 Korean-language films released in 2023 report a worldwide gross, $364.9M in all, <1% of it from the US & Canada. That is down 3% on 2022, whose releases took $377.7M. By genre, Action leads with $298.7M across 12 Korean releases.
- 2023 releases with a gross
- 46
- combined worldwide
- $364.9M
- 12.12: The Day (2023), the #1
- $97.5M
- vs 2022
- −3%
#1 of 46 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Korean Hits of 2023?
12.12: The Day (2023) leads with $97.5M, 27% of the total. The top 5 together took $282M, 77% of what all 46 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
-
Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Korean Release of 2023, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2023.
- 1 Nov 22, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $97.5M
- 2 May 31, 2023 US and Canada: $909.4K Rest of the world: $82.5M Worldwide: $83.4M
- 3 Jul 26, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $36.9M
- 4 Dec 22, 2023 US and Canada: $315.2K Rest of the world: $33.9M Worldwide: $34.2M
- 5 Dec 8, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $30.1M
- 6
Oct 3, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $18.4M - 7
Sep 27, 2023 US and Canada: $84.4K Rest of the world: $14.5M Worldwide: $14.6M - 8
Aug 15, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.8M - 9
Aug 4, 2023 US and Canada: $142.1K Rest of the world: $8M Worldwide: $8.1M - 10
Jun 21, 2023 US and Canada: $102K Rest of the world: $5.9M Worldwide: $6M - 11
Aug 18, 2023 US and Canada: $92.7K Rest of the world: $5.1M Worldwide: $5.2M - 12
Apr 5, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.5M - 13
Nov 29, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3M - 14
Oct 25, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.1M - 15
Jan 27, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.9M - 16
Jul 8, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.9M - 17
Apr 14, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4M - 18
Feb 1, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.3M - 19
Nov 15, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $479.3K - 20
Nov 3, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $446.8K - 21
Apr 21, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $389.2K - 22
Oct 4, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $386.6K - 23
Jan 5, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $357.3K - 24
Nov 30, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $323.1K - 25
Oct 6, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $227.3K - 26
Jun 28, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $142.3K - 27
Oct 8, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $135.8K - 28
Feb 8, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $104.3K - 29
Nov 22, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $97.1K - 30
Jun 14, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $91.2K - 31
Oct 8, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $67.2K - 32
Jun 8, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $44.5K - 33
Dec 13, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $41.3K - 34
Oct 8, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $39.2K - 35
Sep 10, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $37.3K - 36
May 6, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $29.6K - 37
Dec 1, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $24.5K - 38
Jan 18, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $23.8K - 39
Oct 8, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.7K - 40
Oct 7, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $19.1K - 41
Jun 7, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.9K - 42
Dec 13, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.7K - 43
Jun 9, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.8K - 44
Jun 30, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.9K - 45
Apr 26, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.4K - 46
Apr 29, 2023 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.1K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2023?
Of the top 10, Ransomed (2023) earned the biggest share at home (2% in the US & Canada), while Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman (2023) made 99% of its gross abroad. Across all 46 films, $1.6M (<1%) came from the US & Canada. 5 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 12.12: The Day (2023) $97.5M No US & Canada figure reported
- 2 The Roundup: No Way Out (2023) $83.4M $909.4K US & Canada · 1% $82.5M elsewhere · 99%
- 3 Smugglers (2023) $36.9M No US & Canada figure reported
- 4 Noryang: Deadly Sea (2023) $34.2M $315.2K US & Canada · <1% $33.9M elsewhere · 99%
- 5 Concrete Utopia (2023) $30.1M No US & Canada figure reported
- 6 Love Reset (2023) $18.4M No US & Canada figure reported
- 7 Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman (2023) $14.6M $84.4K US & Canada · <1% $14.5M elsewhere · 99%
- 8 Honeysweet (2023) $10.8M No US & Canada figure reported
- 9 Ransomed (2023) $8.1M $142.1K US & Canada · 2% $8M elsewhere · 98%
- 10 The Childe (2023) $6M $102K US & Canada · 2% $5.9M elsewhere · 98%
Gross bands
How Many 2023 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
None of the 46 films reached $100M. 38 films, 83% of the list, earned under $10M. Each band shows its films and its share of the $364.9M total.
89% 11%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $10M to $100M 8 films, 17% of the list $325.8M · 89% of the gross
- Under $10M 38 films, 83% of the list $39.1M · 11% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2023 Earned the Most?
November releases took the most, $101.9M from 6 films, led by 12.12: The Day (2023). February was the quietest month ($1.4M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan One Win (2023) $2.3M One Win (2023)
- February Feb Marui Video (2023) $1.4M Marui Video (2023)
- March Mar No reported grosses – No reported grosses
- April Apr Rebound (2023) $6.3M Rebound (2023)
- May May The Roundup: No Way Out (2023) $83.4M The Roundup: No Way Out (2023)
- June Jun The Childe (2023) $6.3M The Childe (2023)
- July Jul Smugglers (2023) $38.7M Smugglers (2023)
- August Aug Honeysweet (2023) $24.1M Honeysweet (2023)
- September Sep Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman (2023) $14.6M Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman (2023)
- October Oct Love Reset (2023) $21.4M Love Reset (2023)
- November Nov 12.12: The Day (2023) $101.9M 12.12: The Day (2023)
- December Dec Noryang: Deadly Sea (2023) $64.4M Noryang: Deadly Sea (2023)
Last 10 years
How Does 2023 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2019 earned the most: $835.7M from 74 films, led by Parasite (2019). 2023 took $364.9M.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 40 films | 40 | $526.4M | – | The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014) $138.3M |
| 2015 47 films · +26% | 47 | $665.7M | +26% | Ode to My Father (2015) $184.8M |
| 2016 75 films · +4% | 75 | $691.3M | +4% | Train to Busan (2016) $92.8M |
| 2017 59 films · ±0% | 59 | $688.3M | ±0% | Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017) $109.4M |
| 2018 67 films · −13% | 67 | $601.6M | −13% | Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2018) $99.1M |
| 2019 74 films · +39% | 74 | $835.7M | +39% | Parasite (2019) $262.6M |
| 2020 46 films · −76% | 46 | $199.4M | −76% | Peninsula (2020) $42.7M |
| 2021 48 films · −32% | 48 | $134.9M | −32% | Deliver Us from Evil (2021) $34.2M |
| 2022 58 films · +180% | 58 | $377.7M | +180% | The Roundup (2022) $101.2M |
| 2023 46 films · −3% | 46 | $364.9M | −3% | 12.12: The Day (2023) $97.5M |
By genre
Which Korean Genres Earned the Most in 2023?
Action took $298.7M across 12 films, 82% of the total, ahead of Drama ($240M) and Crime ($223.8M). A film counts once for each of its genres.
2023 Korean Box Office by Genre
-
Action $298.7M12 films · #1 12.12: The Day (2023) -
Drama $240M22 films · #1 12.12: The Day (2023) -
Crime $223.8M6 films · #1 12.12: The Day (2023) -
Thriller $219.8M12 films · #1 12.12: The Day (2023) -
History $131.7M2 films · #1 12.12: The Day (2023) -
Comedy $121.4M12 films · #1 The Roundup: No Way Out (2023) -
Adventure $37.1M3 films · #1 Concrete Utopia (2023) -
Sci-Fi $35.4M3 films · #1 Concrete Utopia (2023) -
Biography $34.6M2 films · #1 Noryang: Deadly Sea (2023) -
War $34.2M1 film · #1 Noryang: Deadly Sea (2023)
Archive
Korean Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1958 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $835.7M, led by Parasite (2019).
2020s 7 years · $1.7B
2010s 10 years · $5.7B
- 2019 $835.7M #1 Parasite (2019)
- 2018 $601.6M #1 Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2018)
- 2017 $688.3M #1 Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017)
- 2016 $691.3M #1 Train to Busan (2016)
- 2015 $665.7M #1 Ode to My Father (2015)
- 2014 $526.4M #1 The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014)
- 2013 $553.9M #1 Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013)
- 2012 $456.2M #1 The Thieves (2012)
- 2011 $343.9M #1 Sunny (2011)
- 2010 $385.6M #1 Blades of Blood (2010)
2000s 10 years · $2.1B
- 2009 $310M #1 Tidal Wave (2009)
- 2008 $305.4M #1 The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008)
- 2007 $334.2M #1 May 18 (2007)
- 2006 $363.5M #1 200 Pounds Beauty (2006)
- 2005 $451.5M #1 The King and the Clown (2005)
- 2004 $160.1M #1 Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004)
- 2003 $35.3M #1 My Tutor Friend (2003)
- 2002 $172.3M #1 Sex Is Zero (2002)
- 2001 $1.8M #1 Friend (2001)
- 2000 $943.7K #1 Grass (2000)
1990s 5 years · $16.3M
1980s 3 years · $12.4M
1970s 2 years · $3.9M
1960s 3 years · $4.5M
1950s 1 year · $8M
FAQ
Korean Box Office 2023: Questions & Answers
The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 46 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing Korean-language movie in 2023?
12.12: The Day (2023) leads with $97.5M worldwide. Next come The Roundup: No Way Out (2023) at $83.4M and Smugglers (2023) at $36.9M.
How much did Korean-language movies released in 2023 earn?
46 Korean-language films released in 2023 report a worldwide gross, $364.9M in all, or $7.9M per film on average. 2022 releases took $377.7M.
How many Korean-language movies released in 2023 made $1 billion?
None. The biggest, 12.12: The Day (2023), earned $97.5M.
How is the 2023 Korean box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?
Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation, and grouped by their release date in 2023. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact, and so are films whose stored language is most likely wrong.
How often is the 2023 Korean box office chart updated?
Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.