Pakistani cinema audiences will be able to watch HOPE, the highly anticipated science-fiction thriller from South Korean filmmaker Na Hong-jin, when it opens on October 23, 2026. The release is part of the film’s continuing international theatrical rollout and brings a major Korean production to local screens.
The film mixes science fiction, suspense and monster-horror. It drew international attention after its world premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed in the main section in May. HOPE opened in South Korea on July 15 and is now moving into overseas markets, with its release schedule running through the autumn.
Ensemble cast and director behind HOPE
The film is led by Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon, with Jung widely known for her role in the global hit series Squid Game. The international line-up includes Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender, Taylor Russell and Cameron Britton.
Na Hong-jin wrote and directed the film. He is known for Korean thrillers such as The Chaser and The Wailing, and HOPE represents his move into large-scale science fiction.
Story of a mysterious presence in Hope Harbor
HOPE is set in Hope Harbor, a fictional port town close to the Korean Demilitarised Zone. The story follows how the arrival of a mysterious presence upends the lives of residents and throws the community into an extraordinary crisis.
Box office figures and Pakistan release details
According to a regional trade report, the Korean-language film has reportedly earned more than USD7 million at the US box office, making it the highest-grossing Korean film in that market this year. The film has also been scheduled for cinemas in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Russia and India.
For Pakistan, the October 23 date gives viewers a chance to see the film on the big screen. A Pakistan-specific press release and details of local screenings have not yet been published, but the confirmed date places HOPE among the international titles reaching cinemas this month.
