Most expensive Korean film Hope to release in India; here's when Na Hong-jin sci-fi film arrives in theatres

Hope. Pic via IMDb

South Korean filmmaker Na Hong-jin, best known for his horror films like The Wailing, is all set to make his return to the big screen with his latest offering, Hope. Fans of Korean horror recognise Na Hong-jin as one of the most acclaimed directors in the space. His latest film, Hope, is all set to make it Indian theatres following its film festival outings.

Hope to release in India

Na Hong-jin sci-fi thriller Hope is all set to release in Indian theatres on September 25, 2026. The film brings together some of South Korea's biggest stars along with a Hollywood cast led by Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander.

According to reports, Hope is the most expensive Korean film ever made. Its production budget is estimated at more than 50 billion won, roughly around Rs 345 crore. The huge figure makes the film an unusually ambitious production for Korean cinema. Some reports even quote the figure higher, at more than 70 billion won, which is nearly Rs 485 crore.

Talking of Na Hong-jin, his filmography includes The Chaser (2008), The Yellow Sea (2010) and The Wailing (2016), all of which were selected for the Cannes Film Festival over the years.

About Hope

Set in a remote village near South Korea's Demilitarised Zone, Hope starts with the discovery of a mysterious creature. Police chief Bum-seok and officer Sung-ae must defend a village after reinforcements are diverted to battle wildfires, while communication with the outside world is cut off. Meanwhile, locals head into the mountains to track the mysterious creature and discover that they have been hunted.

The film premiered in Competition at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, becoming Na Hong-jin's first film to compete for the Palme d'Or. Interestingly, it was also the filmmaker's fourth consecutive film to be selected for Cannes.

Now, the film's international ambitions are set to expand beyond the festival circuit. Its distribution rights were reportedly sold in over 200 countries and territories ahead of its domestic release. During its theatrical run in Korea, the film witnessed considerable momentum. It recorded a strong opening in South Korea, with hundreds of thousands of tickets sold, and even went on to cross the four-million admissions mark.