On Aug. 26, 2025, the movie KPop Demon Hunters surpassed Red Notice to become the most-watched film on Netflix in history. While this was a groundbreaking milestone, it was hardly surprising. The animated film, showcasing the dynamic journey of three K-pop idols as coming-of-age demon hunters, aired on Jun. 20 of this year and has already achieved an impressive list of accolades alongside its respective soundtrack. Here’s what you need to know about the global phenomenon and its record-breaking prowess.
Netflix takes home its very first box office win
Despite Netflix’s focus on at-home streaming, KPop Demon Hunters made box office headlines for generating an estimated $18 to $20 million in revenue over one weekend. Netflix, known for emphasizing subscriber releases, surprised moviegoers by releasing a sing-along version in theaters for two days in August. The movie topped box office charts, surpassing two well-established Hollywood summer hits: Zach Cregger’s Weapons and Disney’s Freakier Friday.
HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys smash Billboard
The appeal of KPop Demon Hunters arguably extends past the entertainment and animation itself. For many, the soundtrack serves as a striking centerpiece for the film’s storyline and connects the film’s setting in modern South Korea to its rich musical tradition. HUNTR/X, a fictional K-pop girl group consisting of movie protagonists Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, disguises itself as “hunters” who sing to protect the human world from demons. According to Billboard, their chart-topping summer hit, “Golden,” peaked at number one on the Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks and stood atop the Global 200 for thirteen weeks. In October, the song was awarded a platinum record for over a million copies sold.
The film’s demon antagonists, the Saja Boys, have also garnered notable attention from catchy anthems such as “Your Idol” and “Soda Pop.” In September 2025, “Soda Pop” took fifth place on the Billboard Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks. The fictional group further cemented their global success by exceeding BTS to become the highest charting K-pop boy band in U.S. Spotify history.
Behind the scenes
KPop Demon Hunters was co-directed by Korean-Canadian story artist Maggie Kang and former animator Chris Appelhans. On Time, Kang expressed her goal of creating a culturally authentic movie infused with addictive K-pop action and Korean shamanic traditions. Kang and Appelhans later incorporated Korean mythology and supernatural elements into the movie’s cohesive storyline.
While HUNTR/X is an entirely fictional act, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami served as the singing voices for characters Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, respectively. Notably, EJAE co-wrote much of the film’s soundtrack and played a vital role in the bilingual development of the music’s lyrics.
What’s next?
Although not yet confirmed, it is likely for Sony and Netflix to release a sequel driven by KPop Demon Hunters’ spectacular success. A combination of audience demand and the characters’ unfinished storylines will likely set the stage for another popular release in the next few years.
