‘KPop Demon Hunters’ becomes Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time as sequel talks begin
Not settling for just topping the Billboard Hot 100, the demon hunters of Huntr/x have officially have the most-watched movie in the history of Netflix.
KPop Demon Hunters has racked up 236 million views since debuting on the service on June 20. That puts it ahead of Red Notice, Carry-On, and Don't Look Up.
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And the companies responsible are paying attention. Sony, which originally greenlit the movie before selling it to Netflix, is in talks with the streamer for a sequel, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Conversations are likely still in early days, but expect them to move quickly considering both the scope of KPop Demon Hunters' success and how long it actually takes to make an animated movie.
The news comes just days after a special sing-along version of the movie won the weekend box office with an estimated $19 million. Netflix, which has been historically against the theatrical experience aside from awards-qualifying runs, has yet to confirm that number. In any event, it marks the first time a Netflix film has topped the weekend tally.
But putting KPop Demon Hunters in theaters may turn out to have been a significant decision come Oscar time. In the recently launched predictions for Best Animated Feature on Gold Derby, the film ranked third behind Scarlet and Zootopia 2.
2026 Oscar Nominations
Best Picture Best Director Best Actress Best Actor Best Supporting Actress Best Supporting Actor Best Adapted Screenplay Best Original Screenplay Best Animated Feature
Contender
Odds
1.
Scarlet
86.8%
2.
Zootopia 2
84.6%
3.
KPop Demon Hunters
83.1%
4.
Arco
71.1%
5.
Elio
47.5%
6.
Ne Zha 2
35.7%
7.
In Your Dreams
17.4%
8.
The Twits
15.7%
9.
A Magnificent Life
12.6%
10.
Lost in Starlight
11.5%
11.
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
8.7%
12.
The King of Kings
3.7%
13.
Hypergalactic
2.8%
14.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba
2.5%
15.
Animal Farm
2.0%
16.
Smurfs
1.1%
17.
Dog Man
0.8%
18.
The Bad Guys 2
0.8%
19.
Predator: Killer of Killers
0.6%
20.
Dandelion’s Odyssey
0.3%
21.
ChaO
0.3%
22.
The Legend of Hei 2
--
23.
Sneaks
--
24.
Fixed
--
With several months still to go before the race solidifies, that leaves plenty of time for that position to improve. Without a strong contender from Pixar this year, after Elio largely missed at the box office, the race is wide open. Could the groundswell of support for both the film and its soundtrack push it to a populist victory come next year?
When the stars of the film spoke with Gold Derby, they reflected on the possibility of KPop Demon Hunters adding an Oscar to its list of accolades.
"I mean, it would be such an honor," said Arden Cho, who voices Rumi. "We feel so lucky just to be here and to be receiving all this love. It’s amazing to be part of a movie that makes everybody feel good."
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