KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix’s most successful movie ever, and that’s a great development for the streamer. The animated musical about a K-pop band that also protects the world from demons has become a mᴀssive success, even outside the cinematic landscape, thanks to the soundtrack blowing up on radios and the Billboard top ten. Having been viewed over 236 million times since it was released in June, KPop Demon Hunters has even surpᴀssed 2021’s Red Notice to become the most-seen movie on the streamer.

KPop Demon Hunter‘s success isn’t any sort of fluke, however. The film’s success speaks to the synthesis of several types of projects that have done well for Netflix, including South Korean works and the strength of their animation on the streamer. Its unique elements helped it stand out more than the broad blockbuster, more than earning its place as Netflix’s biggest film release ever. Here is why it’s exciting to see KPop Demon Hunters unseat Red Notice as Netflix’s biggest movie ever, and what lessons the streamer needs to take from that success.

KPop Demon Hunters Is More Deserving Than Red Notice To Be Netflix’s Biggest Movie Ever

KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix’s most successful original movie, a тιтle it definitely deserves more than the agreeable but forgettable Red Notice. KPop Demon Hunters debuted in June to strong reviews and good word-of-mouth, but it has subsequently become one of 2025’s biggest cinematic successes.

Bolstered by bold animation, original characters, and a chart-topping soundtrack, KPop Demon Hunters has left a clear imprint on an audience that loved it enough to turn the theatrical sing-along release into a bona fide box office winner. By contrast, Red Notice didn’t leave nearly as much of a cultural imprint when it debuted in 2021.

Released in a period where many communities were still going through pandemic lockdowns, Red Notice was a broad blockbuster that earned a staggering amount of views on the streamer. However, that failed to translate into a good critical response (which instead gave Red Notice a tepid 37% on Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer.

While the Popcornmeter’s 92% suggests general audiences enjoyed the film far more than critics, it failed to create any cultural panache or impact. If anything, it helped codify Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot as mᴀssive stars of that moment, positions that have shifted in the intervening years thanks to other hits and misfires.

Red Notice was watched by millions who seemed to forget about it. Fans turned KPop Demon Hunters‘ soundtrack into a global phenomenon. Red Notice couldn’t generate a proper sequel, while KPop Demon Hunters is already moving forward with one. Red Notice was ignored in award season, while KPop Demon Hunters seems like an Oscar frontrunner.

With all that in mind, it’s more exciting to see KPop Demon Hunters as Netflix’s biggest hit. A family-friendly animated musical being so popular is particularly exciting, especially in contrast to Red Notice‘s fairly basic characters and predictable riff on the action genre. It’s great to see KPop Demon Hunter‘s success, especially for how it highlights Netflix and Sony Animation’s strengths.

What Netflix Can Learn From KPop Demon Hunters’ Record-Shattering Release

The mᴀssive success of KPop Demon Hunters could be a crucial lesson for Netflix, especially if they take away more than just surface-level observations. The streamer has always been home to pretty impressive animation, earning plenty of accolades for disparate films like Nimona and Klaus or shows like Arcane, Bojack Horseman, and She-Ra: Princesses of Power.

KPop Demon Hunters cements them as a major home for animation, a role that Netflix should continue to expand. The film’s mix of family-friendly elements and mature themes highlights how the streamer can serve as a fitting home for all sorts of animated projects. The film’s successful theatrical debut also highlights how Netflix can bring in solid box-office numbers for its streaming hits.

Netflix should lean into these elements, producing more animated features and having a willingness to release films (even in limited capacities) to theaters. The success of the K-pop-inspired music and cultural elements highlights Netflix’s international appeal. Coupled with Squid Game and its steady stream of K-Dramas, Netflix has established a strong relationship with South Korea.

KPop Demon Hunters also speaks to the audience’s desire very specific style and perspective, as opposed to the very broad appealing Red Notice. Everyone wanted to see Red Notice once, but then moved on from the forgettable characters and basic story. KPop Demon Hunters has heroes, villains, art style, action, music, and worldbuilding all refined to reflect a very memorable story.

Sony Animation, on the heels of other big animated swings like the Spider-Verse movies or The Mitchells vs. The Machines, has found a very profitable partner in Netflix. While it’s likely that they’ll want a bigger cut of the success for a sequel, Netflix should continue to foster their relationships with studios like Sony Animation (as well as with other studios like DreamWorks).

By embracing animation in all its forms, Netflix has found a real winning formula — all while leaving room for niche franchises like Castlevania, movies like Fixed, and shows like Long Story Short to thrive and find audiences. Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the success of KPop Demon Hunters also speaks to the importance of diverse voices and perspectives in their releases.

Netflix has found a very enviable form of success with KPop Demon Hunters, turning a potentially niche release into one of the year’s most culturally important movies. KPop Demon Hunters sets the stage for a very bright future for Netflix films, especially if they learn the right lessons from their success.