Netflix’s latest animated sensation, KPop Demon Hunters, has taken the entertainment world by storm, shattering streaming records, topping the box office, and even inspiring a nationwide sing-along phenomenon. The film, which follows the adventures of a fictional K-pop girl group who moonlight as demon hunters, has captivated audiences of all ages since its June 20, 2025, debut on the streaming platform. Now, with the arrival of a special sing-along version set to stream globally on August 25, the movie’s cultural impact is only growing.
Produced in partnership with Sony Pictures Animation—best known for the acclaimed Spider-Verse movies—KPop Demon Hunters has quickly become Netflix’s most-watched animated film in history, amassing a staggering 184.6 million views since release, according to The San Francisco Chronicle. The film’s popularity isn’t confined to living rooms; last weekend saw the movie leap from screens to theaters in a rare move for the streaming giant, resulting in a two-day box office event that surprised even industry veterans.
From August 22 to 24, over 1,700 venues across the U.S. and Canada hosted sold-out sing-along screenings, with more than 1,300 theaters reporting full houses, as detailed by The Hollywood Reporter. In San Francisco, some 2,000 fans flocked to the Regal Stonestown Galleria for a single Saturday showing, transforming the cinema into a buzzing concert hall. Attendees of all ages donned purple braids, face paint, and graphic tees honoring Huntr/x, the film’s fictional K-pop group. “We listen to the soundtrack every single day,” said Taylor Sihapanya, who attended in full cosplay with her children. “This one’s probably seen it about 50 times,” she added, gesturing to her daughter. “I’ve probably seen it about 20 times.”
The box office numbers tell a story of their own. Rival studios estimate that KPop Demon Hunters grossed between $16 million and $20 million during its limited two-day theatrical run, according to the Associated Press and Variety. This marks the first time in Netflix’s 18-year history that an original film has claimed the No. 1 spot at the U.S. and Canadian box office, outpacing established competitors like Warner Bros. Discovery’s horror hit Weapons, which was in its third week of release. “It may turn out to be higher,” said David A. Gross, a box office analyst, noting the event’s unprecedented demand and the agility of theater owners to add capacity as needed.
Notably, the film’s theatrical success is all the more striking given Netflix’s long-standing strategy of prioritizing streaming over box office revenue. The company’s move to host a one-weekend-only event, complete with sing-along lyrics and pop-up appearances by cast and crew—including Arden Cho, May Hong, Ken Jeong, and vocalists Rei Ami and Kevin Woo—underscored the film’s crossover appeal. In New York and Los Angeles, fans were treated to surprise visits from directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, as well as producer Michelle L.M. Wong. The Empire State Building even lit up gold in honor of the film, in partnership with Netflix, the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE), and iHeartMedia.
At the heart of KPop Demon Hunters is the story of Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo)—three young pop stars who, unbeknownst to their adoring fans, are also the latest in a long line of ancient demon slayers. Their mission? To protect their fans from supernatural threats, particularly the Saja Boys, a rival K-pop boy band whose members are literal demons in disguise, bent on stealing the souls of their audience. The film’s blend of high-stakes adventure, dazzling musical numbers, and themes of self-acceptance has resonated deeply with viewers. “The undertone of talking about demons in your ear and shame, I think that’s a really human thing that probably even children can relate to,” said attendee Becky Gillig to The San Francisco Chronicle.
Music is the film’s beating heart, and its success shows in the charts. The official soundtrack, KPop Demon Hunters (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film), currently sits at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 for the week of August 16, with more than 3 billion global streams to date, Deadline reports. The movie’s breakout song, “Golden,” co-written by vocalist EJAE, soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making history as the first K-pop girl group track to top the chart since Destiny’s Child’s “Bootylicious” in 2001. “I’m speechless. This has all been insane. I’ve been crying a lot,” EJAE told a crowd at a Netflix preview event, reflecting on the song’s runaway success. The fictional Saja Boys’ single “Your Idol” even surpassed BTS’s “Dynamite” on Spotify, a feat that left fans and industry insiders alike stunned.
The authenticity of the film’s musical numbers is no accident. Executive music producer Ian Eisendrath enlisted K-pop hitmaker Teddy Park (of Blackpink fame) for tracks like “How It’s Done” and “Golden,” while BTS songwriters Jenna Andrews and Stephen Kirk contributed to “Free” and “What It Sounds Like.” The choreography, the fashion, and even the emotional arcs all reflect a deep understanding of K-pop’s global allure. “If you look at the Saja Boys choreography, it’s amazing. It feels real,” said Gillig, who attended with coworkers from the gaming platform Roblox.
For many fans, the film’s appeal goes beyond catchy hooks and animated heartthrobs. Its universal themes of embracing one’s identity and confronting personal demons—literalized in the story as patterns on the characters’ skin—have struck a chord. “It spreads a really good message about not suppressing your identity and just kind of being who you are,” said 16-year-old Mia Vu. Sihapanya echoed the sentiment: “The messaging is just incredible. It really made me cry the first five, six or seven times.”
As the credits roll on its record-breaking summer, KPop Demon Hunters stands as a testament to the power of music, storytelling, and community—on screen, in theaters, and now, in living rooms across the globe. With the sing-along edition launching on Netflix at midnight PT on August 25, the film’s journey from streaming curiosity to cultural juggernaut is far from over. Whether you’re a die-hard K-pop fan or a newcomer belting out the lyrics for the first time, one thing’s clear: this is one pop phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing down.
