Netflix has just set an huge new record for the first time in 18 years with a movie that’s already been viewed more than 350,000,000 times since its release in June.
K-Pop Demon Hunters is already the second-most watched film on the streaming giant, trailing only behind The Rock and Ryan Ryan Reynolds’ $200,000,000 blockbuster Red Notice released in 2021.
It’s zoomed past Bird Box and the Oscar-nominated Don’t Look Up and has already set a new record that no original Netflix film before has ever achieved.
Across the pond, Kpop Demon Hunters was released in cinemas, over two months after it first launched on Netflix.
Even with 350,000,000 views already in the bank, the musical animation managed to top the US box office with an $18,000,000 opening weekend.
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The movie follows a girl group called Huntr/x made up of Rumi, Mira and Zoey who slay both demons and the charts with equal success. They’re unstoppable until rival boyband Saja Boys hits the scene and it soon becomes clear they’re facing their most dangerous enemy yet.
The film blends KPop, Korean folklore, and fantasy action into a neon-lit, high-energy spectacle that’s unlike anything else on Netflix.
Voice talent includes Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, Ji-young Yoo, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, Lee Byung-hun, and many more familiar names.
Huntr/x have already topped the UK Singles Chart with their track Golden with several songs from the movie becoming inescapable summer bangers.
No wonder then Netflix released a sing-a-long versions of the film in cinemas and it was predictably a monster success.
Traditionally, Netflix has only released films in cinemas it’s considering for Oscar success. As it stands, it feels increasingly likely this time next year Kpop Demon Hunters will be hailed as a ‘Oscar-winning’ movie, the first film of its kind to bag an Academy Award.
Fans of all ages have praised the movie, some even admitting: ‘I have eaten my words.’
Robyn Jack said in her review: ‘When I first heard about it i had doubts the name sounded a bit silly and the thought of a kpop band that fights demons with their voices sounded absurd…. but omg how i have easten my words , its been executed beautifully, the people behind this really out did themselves.’
‘Excellent! Definitely one of my favorite movies of this year so far,’ Jae C wrote on X. ‘Great animation, superb songs and amazing story! I’m excited to see if they will make a sequel or not.’
Anne G posted: ‘It’s a beautiful movie. The background story truly gives you goosebumps and makes it absolutely worth watching.
‘It’s a lovely project with exceptional animation; the songs are beautiful and fill you with incredible energy.’
‘Such a fun and heartwarming movie! It had great songs and meaningful stories that really stood out. I really enjoyed watching it with my kids,’ Lisa A agreed.
As an anonymous reviewer added: ‘I’ve never written a review but felt compelled to because this movie is a masterpiece! I laughed, I cried and now I’m totally obsessed with two fictional Kpop bands!’
The official synopsis reads: ‘When they aren’t selling out stadiums, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat.
‘Together, they must face their biggest enemy yet – an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise.’
On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts an impressive 97% score and, according to The Wrap, Netflix already has two sequels in the works, a spin-off TV series, a short film and a stage musical.
With the Huntr/x success on charts around the world, it seems inevitable that a live-action world tour will follow too.
KPop Demon Hunters is available to stream on Netflix now.
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