My Daughter Is a Zombie Hits 2.2 Million Viewers in 7 Days, Outpacing Hollywood Blockbusters

My Daughter Is a Zombie shattered records, reaching 2.2 million admissions in 7 days—faster than Hollywood rivals.
The film’s emotional father-daughter story and comedic twist on zombies earned rave reviews and sky-high ratings.
With its record-breaking pace, the movie is now on track to become one of 2025’s biggest Korean hits.

In an unprecedented box office performance, My Daughter Is a Zombie has taken the Korean film industry by storm, surpassing 2.2 million viewers in just seven days—hitting its break-even point at record speed.

This isn't just another zombie movie; it's a cultural phenomenon that's outperforming Hollywood heavyweights like Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning and Mickey 17 while earning near-perfect audience scores (91% on CGV's Egg Index, 9.1 on Lotte Cinema, and 9.08 on Naver). At its core, the film delivers something rare: a perfect blend of laugh-out-loud comedy, genuine emotion, and a refreshing twist on the undead genre that has captivated audiences nationwide.

A Historic Box Office Run That Defies Expectations

From the moment it hit theaters, My Daughter Is a Zombie was destined for greatness. The film surpassed 1 million viewers in just four days, matching the pace of 2023’s Smugglers and 2024’s Pilot, two of Korea’s biggest summer hits. But it didn’t stop there—by day seven, it had doubled that number, cementing its status as the fastest-growing Korean film of 2025. Its opening weekend was nothing short of spectacular, drawing 1.17 million admissions and earning $8.3 million, setting a new benchmark for the year.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is how it outperformed Hollywood’s biggest franchises. On its opening day alone, the film attracted 430,000 viewers, dethroning Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning and proving that local storytelling can dominate even in a market saturated with big-budget imports. The film’s success isn’t just a fluke—it’s a testament to its universal appeal, blending humor, heart, and a fresh take on a genre that many thought had run its course.

A Story That Resonates: More Than Just a Zombie Flick

At its heart, My Daughter Is a Zombie is a story about unconditional love. Directed by Pil Gam-seong (Hostage) and based on Lee Yoon-chang’s popular webtoon, the film follows Jeong-hwan (Jo Jung-seok), an animal trainer who discovers his teenage daughter, Su-ah (Choi Yu-ri), has been infected with the zombie virus. Instead of giving up on her, he hides her in his mother’s rural home and begins a secret training program to help her retain her humanity. From teaching her table manners to preventing her from biting strangers, their journey is as hilarious as it is touching.

What sets this film apart is its emotional depth. Unlike traditional zombie movies that focus on horror and survival, My Daughter Is a Zombie explores the limits of a parent’s love. Jo Jung-seok, who became a father in real life in 2020, poured his personal experiences into the role.

"I found the script just as my love as a father was growing. I knew it was fate. I asked myself, ‘Is this the limit of my love as a father?’ I was overwhelmed,” he shared. Some scenes were so emotionally charged that he admitted,

His performance is raw, vulnerable, and deeply relatable—a masterclass in blending comedy with genuine pathos.

Meanwhile, Choi Yu-ri delivers a breakout performance as Su-ah, redefining what it means to play a zombie. Instead of relying on mindless growls and stiff movements, she infused the character with unexpected charm and even cuteness, drawing inspiration from her own pets.

"Whenever my dog growled, I’d imitate him. But he’d end up getting scared of me," she joked.

Her ability to balance feral instincts with childlike innocence makes Su-ah one of the most endearing undead characters in recent memory.

The film’s success isn’t just due to its leads—the supporting cast elevates every scene. Lee Jung-eun (Parasite) shines as Jeong-hwan’s no-nonsense mother, while Jo Yeo-jeong and Yoon Kyung-ho add layers of humor and tension as characters caught in the chaos of a zombie outbreak. Together, they create a world that feels lived-in and authentic, making the emotional beats hit even harder.

Another key factor in the film’s triumph is its faithfulness to the original webtoon. In an era where many Korean webtoon adaptations face criticism for straying too far from their source material, My Daughter Is a Zombie stays true to its roots while expanding on the story in meaningful ways. Fans of the comic have praised the film for capturing its heart, humor, and emotional weight, proving that a great adaptation doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel—it just needs to respect what made the original special.

With its unstoppable box office momentum, My Daughter Is a Zombie shows no signs of slowing down. It continues to dominate advance ticket sales, and industry analysts predict it could surpass 5 million viewers—a rare feat for a non-franchise film. Beyond its commercial success, the movie has sparked conversations about parental love, societal fear of the unknown, and what it truly means to be human.

For Jo Jung-seok, this film solidifies his status as the "Man of Summer"—a title he earned with hits like Exit (2019) and Pilot (2024). For Choi Yu-ri, it’s a star-making turn that proves her versatility as an actress. And for Korean cinema, it’s a reminder that original storytelling, when done right, can outshine even the biggest Hollywood spectacles.

As audiences continue to flock to theaters, one thing is clear: My Daughter Is a Zombie isn’t just a movie—it’s a movement. And with its perfect mix of laughter, tears, and zombie dance sequences (yes, there’s a scene where Su-ah grooves to BoA’s "Number One"), it’s no wonder why.

Source: Chosun, Variety, Allkpop