Since its release in late June,KPop Demon Huntershas become one of the biggest and most exciting Netflix movies of the year. Building upon the growingglobal buzz of K-pop,the animated movie blends the hallmarks of musical fandom with a thrilling fantasy story, serving up a blast of summer fun.
KPop Demon Hunterscenters on Rumi(Arden Cho), Zoey (Ji-young Yoo), and Mira (May Hong), the three members of the girl group Huntr/x who moonlight as demon-battling warriors. Their goal of protecting the whole world by creating a magical barrier known as the Honmoon gets way more complicated when a hot new boyband - comprised entirely of beautiful demons - enters the scene.
Armed with a glowing 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, the movie, directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, has become a bona fide sensation. Even now, nearly a month after its release,KPop Demon Huntersremains on the Netflix Daily Top 10 Movies chartand has so far spent four weeks on the Global Top 10.
As of July 15,KPop Demon Hunterswas the #1 English-language movie on Netflix globally for the week of July 7 through July 13, pulling in 24.2 million views and 40.4 hours viewed.
Netflix releases many original moviesthroughout the year, but though 2025 is only halfway through, there’s little question thatKPop Demon Huntersis one of the streamer’s strongest releasesof the year. There are a number of reasons why this movie has become the unexpected success that it is.
8It Has Beautiful Animation
KPop Demon Hunters Was Made By The Same Studio As The Spider-Verse Movies
Hailing from Sony Pictures Animation,KPop Demon Huntersfeatures beautiful visualsand a vibrant animation style. As the movie’s trailer proclaims, this is the studio that worked ontheSpider-Versemovies, which feature perhaps the most exciting kind of animation seen in movies today.
The filmmakers make clever use of the medium,adding in anime-inspired flourishes and unique character designs. With more studios now turning to live-action remakes of their animated properties,KPopDemon Huntersfeatures elements that only animation can really pull off, such asGwi-Ma’s (Lee Byung-hun)entire design.
7There Are Many Strong Characters
Rumi, Mira, And Zoey Are Compelling Leads
Though much of the story focuses primarily on Rumi, Zoey and Mira are distinctive personalities in their own right.Each member of Huntr/x could lead her own movie, which only makes the overall story that much more well-constructed.
As the ostensible lead, Rumi’s arc is compelling, especially when it intersects with her relationships with Zoey and Mira. All the strongest fanbases, K-pop included, are built on interesting, noteworthy personas, and the characters ofKPop Demon Huntersare no exception.
Even the antagonists are standout figures. While Gwi-Ma’s motivations are somewhat thin, he stands as an imposing threat, whilelead Saja Boy Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop) is perhaps the most complex figurein the movie next to Rumi herself. He has a clear arc of his own that enriches the world surrounding the main trio, making it far less black-and-white.
6Rumi & Jinu’s Relationship Has Perfect Tension
Romantic Or Otherwise, Their Development Is Captivating
Speaking of Jinu, his romantic tension with Rumi is one of the most enticing subplots ofKPop Demon Hunters. As the current era of romance novels has shown, the enemies-to-lovers and forbidden relationship tropes are among the most beloved, andRumi’s blossoming bond with Jinu fits both.
Though they are on opposite sides of a potentially world-ending conflict and are a hunter and a demon,Rumi and Jinu find themselves letting their walls downand confiding in each other, as best shown during the “Free” musical sequence.
Even if one doesn’t interpret the dynamic as being fully romantic,the development the two share adds a compelling layer to their arcsand toKPop Demon Huntersas a whole. Just the anticipation of seeing what will happen next makes for a gripping watching experience.
5The Action Is Exciting & Fun To Watch
The Animation Really Shines
From the high-flying opening sequence to the climactic battle for the fate of the world,KPop Demon Huntershas no shortage of fun action scenes. Rumi, Zoey, and Mira all have their own signature weapons, and they have ample opportunities to pull them out.
This is where the animation really gets to pop, since the hunters are often pulling off stylized moves while battling grotesque demons. With these scenes often set to Huntr/x’s various songs,they’re structured almost like music videos, making them even more visually engaging.
4There Are A Couple Of Major Twists
Including One Early On That Reframes The Whole Movie
Major spoilers won’t be divulged here in case you haven’t watched yet and are looking for reasons why you should, but it’s fair to say thatKPop Demon Huntershas quite a few tricks up its sleeve.The biggest of all actually drops fairly early in the runtime, but it so radically reframes the story that it still hits with the weight it should.
The twist wasn’t even featured in the trailer, so even those who go in thinking they know what the movie is about will be caught off-guard. That, coupled with some later revelations about the demons, shows thatKPop Demon Huntersisn’t interested in telling a basic story; there are a lot of threads here that you’re eager to see unspool.
3It’s Led By Strong Female Characters & Friendships
This Is More Than A Hollow “Girl Power” Story
To have a fantasy/action movie centered on a single female hero is still something of a novelty these days, but to have one that centers on a trio of female heroes - who, notably, all genuinely interact with each other - is even better.
When they come together during “What It Sounds Like,” it’s impossible not to feel electrified.
Rumi, Zoey, and Mira use their pop star personas to fight off evil, giving the movie a unique spin on the typical “girl power” narrative.Their femininity strengthens them, and at no point are their abilities considered lesser simply because they’re women.
Beyond their fighting capabilities, though, it’s their friendship that is truly the heart of the movie.These women have a genuine bond, and it ends up being the thing that gives them the strength to prevail duringtheKPop Demon Huntersending. When they come together during “What It Sounds Like,” it’s impossible not to feel electrified.
2It Actually Lets Itself Have Fun
It’s An Absurd Premise, And That’s Why It’s Awesome
On paper,KPop Demon Hunterssounds like an absurd, silly movie. A group of popstars who also go after demons? Even with K-pop being very much in right now, it could seem like a step too far for some.
But ultimately, that’s one of the best parts of the movie.KPop Demon Huntersembraces the absurdity of the premise and has a blast doing it. Kang and Appelhans knowingly wink at the audience by sneaking in references to real-life K-pop fandom, and they boldly create their own lore along the way.
Too many action movies take themselves seriously, but this one is an exception. With a fizzy energy woven into every scene and a heart-on-its-sleeve sensibility,KPop Demon Huntersis a total blast.
1The Soundtrack Is History-Making
Huntr/x And Saja Boys Are Beating Real K-Pop Groups
Huntr/x and Saja Boys might be fictional K-pop groups, but their music has a real-life impact,making this the best part ofKPop Demon Hunters. The soundtrack is filled with catchy songs designed to stick in your head (this author has “How It’s Done” playing on a mental loop right now) and serve as the perfect backing to the various action scenes.
In a shocking twist, Huntr/x and Saja Boys have actually made history. Both have become the highest-charting female and male K-pop groups in the US, respectively, with"Golden" and “Your Idol” surpassing records previously held by Blackpink and BTS.
Netflix intends to build upon this success by submitting “Golden” in the Best Original Song category at the 2026 Oscars. K-pop is one of the fastest-growing musical genres, and the artists within it produce infectiously entertaining songs that pull in fans from all over. By building on that idea and adding in a fair amount of action,KPop Demon Huntershas cemented itself as one of Netflix’s biggest 2025 successes.
