Sony Pictures Animation’s “K-Pop: Demon Hunters” has shattered a Netflix viewership record, becoming the first original film on the platform to reach a new peak in its sixth week of release. The movie attracted 26.3 million views, surpassing its previous weeks and solidifying its status as a global phenomenon.
In its sixth week, Netflix officially named “K-Pop: Demon Hunters” its “most popular animated film of all time.” The movie has consistently ranked in the top 10 in every country tracked by the streamer and is projected to enter Netflix’s all-time top 10 list shortly. The film’s success extends to its soundtrack, with the song “Golden” returning to the #1 spot on the Billboard Global 200 chart.
Following this unprecedented success, the animated feature is set for a major franchise expansion, with plans for sequels and a potential live-action adaptation. The story follows a trio of K-pop stars—Rumi, Mira, and Zoey of the group Huntr/x—who balance their music careers with battling demons in Seoul. Capitalizing on the growing global interest in Korean culture, the film has found a broad audience of both adults and children.
During a recent earnings call, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos highlighted the movie’s performance, calling it “a phenomenal success out of the gate.” He added, “The fact that people are in love with this film and in love with the music from this film, that will keep it going for a long time. Now the next beat is, where does it go from here?”
Sources familiar with the company’s strategy indicate that Netflix views the property as its equivalent to Disney’s “Frozen” franchise. Projects reportedly under consideration include a stage musical, a television series, a pair of sequels to complete a trilogy, and a short film to serve as “bridge content” between features. While these plans are being discussed, Netflix has stated that a live-action remake is not currently in development.
The success of “K-Pop: Demon Hunters” is even more impressive given its underdog origins. Initially developed at Sony Pictures Animation, the film had a low-key release on Netflix with minimal marketing. Its first week drew a modest 9.2 million views, but viewership surged to 22.7 million in its second week, creating a sudden demand for merchandise that caught the company by surprise. Products intended as crew gifts, such as a plush tiger, were quickly made available on the Netflix store and became top sellers. The company is now planning to expand its merchandising through partnerships with major retailers and brands, including an ongoing collaboration with Samsung.
The film is also gaining critical acclaim, with “Golden” submitted for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards and the movie itself becoming an early favorite for a Best Animated Feature nomination.
One potential hurdle for the franchise’s expansion is that original directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans have not yet signed on for subsequent projects. However, Netflix owns the underlying intellectual property rights, giving the streamer full creative control over the title’s future. Sources report that both Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation intend to continue their partnership on the franchise.
Co-director Maggie Kang explained that the concept evolved from a desire to create a major animated feature centered on Korean culture. “I’ve always wanted to do a Korean project,” she said, noting she combined inspiration from how demons are portrayed in Korean media with the spectacle and empowerment of K-pop. “I wanted to see women who are allowed to be silly and crass and make stupid faces and not be so pretty all the time and have their imperfections. Those are all the ingredients that just came together.”
This specific creative vision has resonated universally, fostering a vibrant online fan community. In an industry increasingly driven by algorithms and pre-packaged properties, the organic and explosive success of “K-Pop: Demon Hunters” has reminded Hollywood that breakout hits can still come as a surprise.
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