KPop Demon Hunters, the animated musical action-comedy from Sony Pictures Animation, is on the cusp of becoming Netflix’s most-watched film ever, with 210.5 million views in its ninth week since its June 20 release. According to Netflix’s latest data, the film surged to 26 million views this week, surpassing its previous week’s 25.9 million and reclaiming the #1 spot on the platform’s global charts. It now trails Red Notice (230.9 million views) by just 20.4 million, positioning it to potentially claim the top spot within the next week or two, given its unprecedented momentum. The film’s remarkable staying power—holding the #1 spot for four consecutive weeks and increasing viewership in its ninth week—marks a first in Netflix history, solidifying its status as a global phenomenon.
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, KPop Demon Hunters follows the fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X—Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo)—who double as demon hunters battling the supernatural rival boy band Saja Boys, led by Ahn Hyo-seop. With a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score and a vibrant pop-art animation style akin to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the film blends action, humor, and heartfelt themes of self-acceptance and friendship. Its chart-topping soundtrack, featuring hits like “Golden” by HUNTR/X (performed by EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, and REI AMI), has driven its success, with “Golden” hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Global 200, a feat not achieved by a girl group since Destiny’s Child’s “Bootylicious” in 2001. The soundtrack, produced by heavyweights like TEDDY and Jenna Andrews, also debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200, with tracks like “Your Idol” and “Soda Pop” dominating Spotify and TikTok.
The film’s cultural impact is undeniable, resonating with K-pop fans and newcomers alike, from young audiences to “gym bros,” as co-director Kang noted. Its authentic portrayal of Korean culture—incorporating elements like Seoul’s Namsan Tower and traditional dining customs—has earned praise for avoiding clichés, while its universal themes of identity and resilience have sparked fan art, cosplay, and sequel demands across social media. X posts highlight fans’ enthusiasm, with one user stating, “The fact I can’t hear these songs, the roar of the crowd, ‘this is what it sounds like’ coming from all around me is a travesty. Get it in theatres now.” The film’s sing-along screenings on August 23–24 in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand further amplify its reach, with tickets available via Netflix’s Tudum site.
Currently ranked as Netflix’s second most-watched film and most-watched original animated film ever, KPop Demon Hunters has surpassed titles like Leo (2023), The Sea Beast, and The Monkey King, with 454.2 million hours viewed. It overtook Carry-On (172.1 million) and Don’t Look Up (171.4 million) to secure the #2 spot, needing just 20.4 million more views to dethrone Red Notice. Netflix’s 91-day viewership metric gives the film until mid-September to continue climbing, and its consistent 20+ million weekly views suggest it could achieve this by early September. However, competition from Wednesday Season 2, which premiered August 6, may draw some of its younger demographic. Despite this, the film’s global appeal, bolstered by voice performances from Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Lee Byung-hun, and its genre-blending mix of K-pop, fantasy, and action, keeps it a cultural juggernaut.
While KPop Demon Hunters dominates streaming, its theatrical sing-along events and potential for a sequel or live-action remake signal an expanding universe. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos praised its originality, noting it as a rare non-sequel hit, unlike Disney’s struggling Elio or remakes like Lilo & Stitch. Fans on Reddit and X are vocal about wanting more, with comments like “Give me the human mother/demon father prequel” and calls for a theatrical release, though some argue its streaming success stems from repeat viewings at home. With its record-breaking soundtrack and cultural resonance, KPop Demon Hunters is not just a film but a movement, poised to redefine Netflix’s legacy and K-pop’s global influence.
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