Netflix Animation “K-POP Demon Hunters” Sets Record as Most-Watched Film in Platform’s History

Netflix’s animated musical film “K-POP Demon Hunters” has achieved global success by becoming the most-watched film in the platform’s history. Released at the end of June, it secured the titles of the platform’s most-watched animated film and its most popular English-language film within three months, surpassing 266 million views. The film tells the story of the girl group Huntrix, who act as K-pop superstars during the day and hunt demons at night. Members Rumi, Mira, and Joy of Huntrix uncover that their rival boy band, Lion Boys, are actually a disguised group of demons and fight against supernatural threats to protect their fans. The film’s true success is evident in music charts. Huntrix’s theme song “Golden” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in mid-August 2025 and remained at the top for six consecutive weeks, setting a record. This is the longest-running number-one record for a song by an animated group in Billboard’s 67-year history and broke the weekly record for the most consecutive number-ones among 2010s film soundtracks. The previous record was held by “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Disney’s 2022 film “Encanto.” It was the first time in Hot 100 history that eight songs entered the chart simultaneously. “Soda Pop” and “Your Idol” reached positions five and six, respectively, while “How It’s Done” landed at 10 and “What It Sounds Like” at 19. “Take Down” and “Free” also ranked at 24 and 27, respectively. A special collaboration song featuring Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung of TWICE reached position 59. These eight songs stayed on the chart for 11 consecutive weeks since their Debut in July and reached number two on the Billboard 200 album chart. “Golden” also set a separate record on the UK official charts. With “Golden,” Huntrix became the animated group’s single with the longest duration at number one, matching the 8-week record held by “Sugar, Sugar” by the animated group The Archies in 1969. The singalong theatrical release held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London last summer topped the U.S. box office, marking the first time a Netflix singalong film achieved box office success. The film’s success reflects global interest in Korean culture. Real Seoul landmarks such as Myeongdong, Naksan Park, and N Seoul Tower appeared as backgrounds in the film, turning them into pilgrimage sites for fans. Traditional Korean artistic elements featured in the movie, particularly the tiger and magpie characters inspired by Joseon-era satirical art, introduced the depth of Korean art history to global audiences. Art history scholars from Seoul National University evaluated the film as one that commercialized Korean culture while respectfully portraying its rich cultural heritage. The film also highlighted the dual aspects of K-pop idol culture. It satirically addressed the intensity of fandom culture and the exploitation and pressure faced by those working in the K-pop industry, expressing issues such as article production and consumerism, as well as the abnormal intimacy between idols and fans (fandomonica) through the characters’ struggles. The film conveyed a message urging viewers to accept themselves by confronting and embracing their own flaws.