KPop Demon Hunters Review

By Christopher Landa

Netflix’s blockbuster hit “KPop Demon Hunters” took the world by storm this summer, making its way to the top of the music and film charts. Released for streaming on June 20, 2025, “KPop Demon Hunters” follows a fictional K-pop trio Huntr/x as they navigate the duties of a K-pop group while fighting off soul-eating demons and the captivating demon boy-band, the Saja Boys.

“KPop Demon Hunters” has dominated the majority of pop culture since its release, claiming the number 1 spot on both the Billboard 100 and 200, as well as becoming Netflix’s most-streamed movie of all time. 

Much of “KPop Demon Hunters”' success can be attributed to the wave of interest in Korean culture, known as “Hallyu” in Korean, that has grown since the start of the 21st century. With the rising popularity of Korean food, Korean products, and K-pop as a genre, it's no wonder “KPop Demon Hunters” was a smash hit.

The movie's success can also be credited to its ability to interest many audiences, with its catchy songs appealing to young children and parents while also being enjoyable for listeners in their 20s and 30s who are more familiar with the K-pop genre. 

The film's animation was led by Sony Pictures Imageworks, which created a flashy and distinctive animation style that blended 2D and 3D styles, which audiences latched onto. The unique art and animation also set it apart from the common “bean mouth” style in animation that viewers have expressed fatigue with.

The success of the film on streaming encouraged Netflix to implement a weekend-long sing-along theatrical release, a rarity with a heavy streaming-focused service like Netflix. Nevertheless, it was another success for “KPop Demon Hunters” with a $19.2 million opening, finishing first at the box office for the weekend. 

With so many achievements under its belt, “KPop Demon Hunters” is poised to continue dominating the music and film industries for a long time and, according to Variety Magazine, is anticipated to be a major candidate in the animation categories for the 98th Annual Academy Awards.