Netflix K-pop Demon Hunters Breaks All-Time Streaming Record with 236M Views
Netflix's animated hit "K-pop Demon Hunters" just made streaming history. The film reached 236 million total views, officially dethroning "Red Notice" (230.9 million views) as Netflix's most-watched movie ever.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable? The film added 25.4 million views in just one week (August 18-24) and hasn't dropped below 22.7 million weekly views since its June 20 debut - unheard of consistency for Netflix originals.
Box Office Success Without Traditional Release
The streaming giant pulled off something unprecedented this past weekend. A sing-along version of the film earned an estimated $17-18 million at theaters over August 22-24, making it the #1 movie at the North American box office - despite Netflix's usual reluctance toward theatrical releases.
Soundtrack Makes Billboard History
The film's success extends far beyond Netflix. "Golden" by the fictional girl group HUNTR/X hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a second consecutive week, while four songs from the soundtrack simultaneously occupy the top 10 - the first time any soundtrack has achieved this feat in the Hot 100's 67-year history.
The track marks the ninth K-pop song to reach #1 on the Hot 100 and the first performed by female vocalists, featuring real artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI.
What's the Story About?
"K-pop Demon Hunters" follows HUNTR/X, a three-member girl group who secretly battle supernatural demons between concerts. The girls face off against the Saja Boys, a rival K-pop boy band composed of demons trying to steal fans' souls.
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film features voice work from Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo. The production team included top K-pop producers from THEBLACKLABEL, known for creating BLACKPINK hits.
Global Cultural Phenomenon
The soundtrack currently dominates global charts, with HUNTR/X and Saja Boys claiming four of the top five spots on the Billboard Global 200. The lead single "Golden" has surpassed 3 billion global streams.
Critics have embraced the film's unique blend of K-pop culture and Korean mythology. Variety called it "high-energy" and "high-concept," while The New York Times praised it for creating a "charming, funny and artfully punchy original universe".
With Netflix planning to submit "Golden" for Academy Award consideration and the film showing no signs of slowing down, "K-pop Demon Hunters" has proven that animated content can transcend cultural boundaries while celebrating specific cultural identities. The phenomenon signals a new era where virtual K-pop acts can achieve the same chart success as real-world superstars.