Netflix’s “KPOP Demon Hunters” Becomes a Global Phenomenon... Reaching 300 Million Views by September

Netflix’s animated film “KPOP Demon Hunters” has emerged as a global cultural phenomenon since its release in June. By September, it surpassed 300 million views, setting a new record for the most watched Netflix title ever and overtaking the previous record held by the 2021 action film “Red Notice.”

The film is a musical fantasy animated series centered around the K-pop girl group “HUNTR/X,” who act as demon hunters. It accurately depicts the fandom culture within the K-pop industry and gains professionalism through the extensive involvement of music producers. Those who contributed to the film’s soundtrack include Kevin Woo, former member of the boyband U-KISS; Teddy Park, a producer who has worked with BLACKPINK; and Lindgren and Stephen Kirk, former collaborators of BTS.

Beyond pure commercial success, the film has also received critical acclaim. It currently holds a 100% “fresh” rating on the film review site Rotten Tomatoes. In October, it helped boost Netflix’s revenue by 17%.

The success of the soundtrack is equally notable. The film’s title track “Golden” remained at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for 18 non-consecutive weeks, dominating music charts worldwide. It received double platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and became the second most streamed album of 2025 on Spotify. For the first time in history, four songs from the film entered the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 simultaneously, with three additional tracks making it into the UK Top 5.

The film’s success is also linked to real-world fandom culture. According to a survey conducted by marketing firm Pulsar in July, social media mentions of the fictional groups “HUNTR/X” and “Lion Boys” surpassed those of real superstars such as Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, and Billie Eilish. The film has even led to live performances by its voice actors—E-Jay, Audrey NuNa, and Ray Aimi—who performed “Golden” at the “The Declark New Years Rockin’ Eve” 2026 event in Times Square, New York.

In addition, the film is expanding its fan community through various extended content offerings, such as concert parties and tabletop RPG games. A concert party featuring actors dressed as characters from HUNTR/X was held at a skating rink in Killeen, Texas. On Kickstarter, a 5E-compatible D&D adventure game inspired by “KPOP Demon Hunters” ranked among the top five most popular projects on the platform even before its release.