The hit film Assassins is capturing intense global attention, extending its phenomenal domestic box office success to major international film festivals including sell-out screenings at Toronto and Paris.
Global Film Festival Success and International Acclaim
Following its selection as the runner-up for the International People’s Choice Award at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, Assassins continues to receive continuous invitations from prestigious worldwide film festivals, proving its undeniable cross-border appeal. The film’s solid narrative, passionate performances by the cast, and the characters’ courageous pursuit of truth deliver a profound resonance to international audiences.
After premiering in the Gala Presentation section at the Toronto International Film Festival with sold-out public screenings, the movie was subsequently invited to the 28th Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival, the 37th Singapore International Film Festival, the 21st Paris Korean Film Festival, the 46th Hawaii International Film Festival, and the 29th Philadelphia Film Festival.
Notably, it was selected as the opening film for the Paris Korean Film Festival, selling out every single seat in just three minutes. The Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival praised Assassins as a work with engaging direction and high box office potential, while the Singapore International Film Festival commended its grand scale and auteur-driven sensibilities.
Rave Reviews from Renowned Directors and Global Audiences
Acclaimed actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan, beloved by domestic audiences for 3 Idiots and Dangal, also shared deep lingering emotions after watching the film. He expressed heartfelt congratulations to the director, producer, and entire production team, emphasizing the powerful and crucial message the film delivers.
The Paris Korean Film Festival lauded the movie as a magnificent continuation of the cinematic crime-thriller lineage, noting how its breathless investigative drama grips audiences from start to finish. Chief programmer David Treadler praised director Hur Jin-ho’s ability to intricately weave multiple storylines into a gripping and suspenseful thriller.
Continued Box Office Dominance in South Korea
As the film continues to draw global praise through international screenings and sold-out events, the delicate yet tense acting ensemble of Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho under Hur Jin-ho’s direction highlights the charm of Korean cinema worldwide.
Meanwhile, Assassins maintains its strong momentum by staying at the top of the Korean film box office in its sixth week of release. Despite briefly dropping a rank following the release of the new film Paradise Lost, it quickly rebounded and reclaimed the number one spot in Korean film box office earnings, approaching 3.5 million cumulative admissions with over 3.4 million viewers to date, securing its place in the top four Korean box office hits of 2026.
