Sony and Netflix’s animated hit KPop Demon Hunters is officially getting a sequel — though fans will need patience, because it won’t land on screens until 2029. The decision comes after the film shattered records on Netflix and proved to be one of the streamer’s most unexpected success stories of the year.
Since debuting in June, KPop Demon Hunters has racked up an astonishing 325 million views, making it the most-watched movie in Netflix history. Its popularity even convinced Netflix to do something it rarely does: give the film a limited theatrical run. Between the standard release and a “sing-along” edition, the movie pulled in $24.4 million at the box office. Its soundtrack was another runaway hit, topping the Billboard charts alongside its lead single, “Golden.” Now, with toy deals reportedly locked in with both Hasbro and Mattel, KPop Demon Hunters appears poised to evolve from a streaming hit into a full-blown franchise.
The film follows the members of HUNTR/X — Rumi, Mira, and Zoey — a K-pop girl group who double as demon hunters protecting a mystical barrier called the Honmoon. Rumi, voiced by Arden Cho and sung by Ejae, hides a dangerous secret: she’s half-demon, a fact known only to her mentor, Celine (Yunjin Kim). Her dual identity becomes harder to conceal as her demonic powers grow, even as she and her bandmates face off against the Saja Boys, a rival boy band who are, naturally, demons working for their master, Gwi-Ma (Lee Byung-hun).
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film was developed from Kang’s original concept and co-written with Danya Jimenez and Hannah McMechan. The result combined high-energy pop visuals, strong vocal performances from Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, and a surprisingly heartfelt story about identity, fame, and friendship — all wrapped in glitter, neon, and ancient demon lore. Critics and audiences alike responded enthusiastically, with a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and praise for its animation and soundtrack.
A sequel always felt inevitable, given how thoroughly KPop Demon Hunters conquered both screens and playlists. Still, a 2029 release means fans will have a long wait before returning to the world of HUNTR/X. Until then, the franchise seems content to expand in every direction possible — from charts to toy shelves — proving that in pop music and demon hunting alike, there’s always room for an encore.
