Netflix has confirmed that KPop Demon Hunters has become the most-watched film in the platform’s history, surpassing Red Notice with over 236 million views since its June release.
The animated musical has rapidly evolved from a quiet premiere at Netflix’s Tudum Theatre in Los Angeles to a worldwide phenomenon, gaining traction over the summer through social media buzz, viral clips, and word-of-mouth recommendations.
A Global Hit Across Screens and Speakers
Not only has the movie dominated Netflix’s viewing charts, but its soundtrack has also taken over the music world. The song Golden recently reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, while multiple tracks from the film have broken into Spotify’s global top 10. At one point, Golden and Your Idol—performed by Huntr/x and their on-screen rivals Saja Boys—each held the top spot on Spotify in the US. This feat made them the highest-charting fictional K-pop groups in the platform’s history, ahead of industry powerhouses BTS and Blackpink.
The soundtrack also set a record by placing four songs in the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 10 simultaneously, the first time a movie soundtrack has achieved this.
About the Film
Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, KPop Demon Hunters follows Huntr/x, a fictional K-pop girl group whose members balance their careers as performers with a secret life battling demons using both music and combat. Viewers and critics alike have praised the film’s blend of vibrant visuals, dynamic action, and its celebration of Korean culture—both traditional and modern.
Co-director Maggie Kang, a Korean-Canadian filmmaker, explained that the creative team wanted the soundtrack to feel like authentic K-pop. Several producers and songwriters with credits alongside BTS and Twice contributed to the music, which many fans now describe as the film’s strongest draw.
Expanding Beyond Streaming
Capitalising on the success of its music, Netflix released a sing-along version of the movie in cinemas across the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. That release became Netflix’s first number-one film at the US box office. The sing-along cut has since been rolled out globally on the streaming platform itself.
Netflix’s All-Time Top Films (to date)
- KPop Demon Hunters
- Red Notice
- Carry-On
- Don’t Look Up
- The Adam Project
- Bird Box
- Back in Action
- Leave the World Behind
- The Gray Man
- Damsel
What’s Next?
Given its runaway success, industry reports suggest early discussions about a sequel are already underway.
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