KPop Demon Hunters is Netflix’s biggest hit ever. The K-pop animated movie smashed records, surpassing Red Notice with over 236 million views worldwide
Netflix has a brand-new global sensation, and its name is KPop Demon Hunters. The animated movie that premiered in June has done the unthinkable: it dethroned Red Notice, starring Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds, to become the most-watched film in Netflix history. With over 236 million views and counting, the movie has broken records once thought untouchable and cemented itself as a cultural phenomenon.
The rise of KPop Demon Hunters isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how quickly it went viral. From the very first week of its release, social media exploded with memes, edits, and fan videos. The hashtag #KPopDemonHunters has already racked up billions of views on TikTok, while Twitter (or X) users can’t stop celebrating its success. The fandom has even coined a viral phrase—“Rumi outsold The Rock”—a playful jab at Dwayne Johnson’s dethroning, which spread across timelines worldwide.
At the heart of this success is a wild yet charming storyline. The film follows three K-pop idols—Rumi, Mira, and Zoey—who, when they’re not selling out stadiums, secretly use magical powers to battle demons. It feels like someone turned the most explosive Tumblr fanfiction into a Netflix blockbuster. The mix of action, fantasy, music, and pop-culture energy was a perfect recipe, creating something that resonated across multiple audiences. Fans describe it as the ultimate blend of K-pop’s star power with anime-inspired visuals and Hollywood-level production.
The numbers prove it. Red Notice previously held Netflix’s record with 230.9 million views, while Don’t Look Up with Leonardo DiCaprio and The Adam Project with Ryan Reynolds also enjoyed strong runs. But KPop Demon Hunters left them all in the dust. For ten consecutive weeks, the film stayed firmly in Netflix’s top 10, putting it in league with long-running hits like Paw Patrol: The Movie—though let’s be honest, the battle of K-pop idols vs. puppies seems already decided.
The soundtrack only amplified the hype. For the first time ever, songs from an animated film landed on the Billboard Hot 100—four tracks simultaneously charted, setting a new milestone. Fans called the OST a game-changer, comparing it to chart-topping hits by global superstars. Suddenly, KPop Demon Hunters wasn’t just a film; it was shaping the global music conversation.
Part of its magic comes from its powerful voice cast. Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Lee Byung-hun all lend their voices to the characters. Fans went wild, declaring the cast “more iconic than the Avengers.” Their performances added emotional weight, making the story feel larger than life and helping the movie transcend typical animated fare.
Behind the camera, directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, along with screenwriters Danya Jimenez and Hannah McMechan, pushed for something bold. According to insiders, KPop Demon Hunters was never meant to be “just another animated movie.” It was a cultural statement—proof that K-pop is more than just music; it’s an entire movement capable of rivaling Hollywood’s biggest productions. The result speaks for itself: a fandom-driven triumph that reshaped what global audiences expect from streaming giants like Netflix.
A big part of the film’s viral domination is the creativity of its fans. From TikTok fancams to Instagram fan art, KPop Demon Hunters has become more than a movie—it’s a collective cultural event. Every scene gets turned into content, from edits comparing Rumi to Lisa from Blackpink to memes about saving your soul by streaming the movie. Across platforms, fans keep fueling its momentum, making sure it remains a trending topic week after week.
Netflix struck gold. The streaming platform managed to create a film that doesn’t just appeal to kids but taps into one of the internet’s most passionate communities: the K-pop fandom. Groups like ARMYs, Blinks, and even Swifties joined forces in celebration, turning the internet into a global chatroom. What started as an animated experiment transformed into a worldwide cultural moment, proving that Korean pop culture has firmly established itself as a dominant force not only in music but also in film.
KPop Demon Hunters isn’t just a Netflix hit—it’s a viral revolution, redefining what it means to break records in the streaming era.
