Korean zombie film ‘Colony’ earns ₱20 million on PH opening day

Korean zombie film ‘Colony’ earns ₱20 million on PH opening day

South Korean zombie thriller “Colony,” starring Ji Chang-wook and Jun Ji-hyun, opened to an estimated ₱20 million at the Philippine box office, making it the biggest opening-day release in the country so far in 2026.

According to local distributor Pioneer Films, the movie debuted at No. 1 nationwide and outgrossed all local and foreign releases currently showing in cinemas.

The film was also approved by Philippine censors with an R-13 classification without any cuts despite its intense action and horror sequences.

Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, the filmmaker behind the global zombie hit “Train to Busan, “Colony” delivers the same tension and suspense that made his earlier work a worldwide success.

The film follows a group of survivors trapped inside a building after a mutating virus sparks a deadly outbreak, forcing them to fight for survival as the infected continue to evolve.

The film marks Jun Ji-hyun’s return to the big screen after an 11-year hiatus. The actress previously said she immediately accepted the project because of her admiration for Yeon’s work.

“Colony” has also been performing strongly overseas. Data from the Korean Film Council showed that the film surpassed one million admissions in South Korea in less than four days, becoming the fastest Korean movie released in 2026 to reach the milestone. It later crossed the two-million-viewer mark within five days of release.

Industry trackers likewise reported that “Colony” recorded the highest opening score among Korean films released this year.

The movie is scheduled for a wider North American theatrical release through Well Go USA on Aug. 28 and has also secured a premiere slot at the 2026 New York Asian Film Festival.