Na Hong-Jin's sci-fi monster film 'Hope' has emerged as one of the standout productions at this year's Cannes Film Festival, selling almost entirely worldwide and signing pre-sale agreements in over 200 regions. The film will be distributed in international markets by studios such as Focus Features and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions. Focus acquired rights for France, Benelux, and South Africa in partnership with UPI France, while SPWA purchased rights covering Portugal, Scandinavia, Iceland, Israel, and the Middle East.

Other significant international agreements for the film include deals with Japan's Gaga, CIS's The World Pictures, Eastern Europe's Unicorn Media, and India's Star Ent. Neon secured the rights for 'Hope' in North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia ahead of Cannes, while Mubi has already acquired rights for many regions including Germany, Spain, Italy, and Latin America.

Plus M Entertainment is managing the film's worldwide sales and noted that the pre-sale agreements for 'Hope' have set an all-time record for a Korean production. The film has recouped "almost half" of its net production budget before its release. For many distributors, 'Hope' marks their first acquisition of a Korean film.

'Hope' follows police chief Bum-seok (played by Hwang Jung-min from The Wailing) in a small town called Hope Harbor near the Demilitarized Zone. The town is under attack by strange, otherworldly creatures. Alongside Zo In-sung and Hoyeon, famous names like Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Taylor Russell also appear as surprise guest stars. The film received rave reviews from audiences and critics at Cannes, with Hollywood Reporter's chief film critic David Rooney describing it as "an exhilarating sci-fi monster movie."