A win for K-pop Netflix’s “Kpop Demon Hunters” becomes platform’s most-watched movie

Popular K-Pop group Blackpink | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Netflix's animated musical, “KPop Demon Hunters,” has officially become the streaming platform's most popular movie of all time, gaining a stunning 236 million views, surpassing the previous record held by “Red Notice,” Yahoo News reported. The film follows HUNTR/X, a fictional K-pop girl group that battles supernatural threats in between topping music charts and performing sell-out concerts.

“KPop Demon Hunters” premiered on Friday, June 20, and has captivated audiences worldwide, Yahoo News said. According to their report, this animated feature showcases the voice talents of Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo. 

The BBC noted the film’s international success early on in mid-July, reporting how in just the first two weeks the movie gained over 33 million views. This allowed “KPop Demon Hunters” to reach the top ten Netflix charts in 93 countries.  

ScreenRant added that the movie’s success doesn't end with high views, noting that the movie's soundtrack has dominated music charts. According to Yahoo News, the movie achieved the highest debut for a soundtrack in 2025 on the Billboard 200 chart. The BBC reported that the fictional bands’ music from the movie even went so far as to surpass real-life popular K-pop groups such as Blackpink and BTS.

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The story revolves around the trio as they take on the duty of defending humanity as demon hunters. They face their greatest challenge when supernatural forces, disguised as the rival boy band Saja Boys, pose a significant threat, Screenrant explains. 

Director Maggie Kang hints at a potential sequel, promising to explore more of the group's intriguing backstory, according to Yahoo News. The report highlighted Kang’s statement to Entertainment Weekly, saying, “Our goal has always been to create a K-pop group through the movie, but it was a dream, a long shot. We didn't know if it could work. So to see HUNTR/X and Saja Boys on the charts... I feel so proud. It tells me we really pulled it off. I'm so thankful to the fans for embracing them."

With critical acclaim, including a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, along with resounding audience approval, “KPop Demon Hunters” has conveyed a unique blend of thrilling narratives and catchy music. As Netflix expands its repertoire of hit movies, this animated adventure sets a high bar for similar future projects.

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