KPop Demon Hunters is now one of Netflix’s biggest franchises, but I hope they resist the urge to make a live-action remake. After two months, KPop Demon Hunters is now the most-watched film in Netflix’s history, pᴀssing 2021’s Red Notice. The film continues to flex its “Golden” status, setting records on streaming, at the box office, and on the Billboard charts.

On August 23, Netflix released the animated feature as a sing-along in theaters. Despite its limited availability, KPop hit No. 1 at the box office, earning a reported $18 million and becoming the first Netflix film to reach that milestone, though the streamer doesn’t report its box office achievements. Meanwhile, the soundtrack continues to dominate, as its breakout song, “Golden,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard H๏τ 100.

Of course, Netflix is already planning the franchise’s future. Netflix is reportedly working on potential sequels, a TV series, and a stage musical. A concerning, but inevitable, part of this report was a possible live-action remake. However, while these can be wildly successful, a live-action KPop Demon Hunters does not sound promising.

A Live-Action KPop Demon Hunters Would Ruin What Makes The Movie Special

Every time it seems like studios are losing confidence in live-action remakes, another one comes around to fuel the trend. 2025’s Snow White may have flopped, but Lilo & Sтιтch broke $1 billion, and How to Train Your Dragon was a solid win for DreamWorks, with plans to remake the animated sequel. These remakes tend to perform well, even if many say they don’t want them.

A live-action KPop Demon Hunters would likely perform well, especially after the sing-along topped the box office in its one weekend in theaters. Audiences would love to see these songs again, especially if performed by talented singers in a live-action setting. However, as Jurᴀssic Park showed us, just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

Part of KPop Demon Hunters‘ charm is its stunning animation. The film comes from Sony Pictures Animation, who also delivered the Spider-Verse films, another surprise hit for the studio. The animation is eccentric and fast-paced, and its music videos are often just as imaginative and well-choreographed as its action scenes. It also often evokes anime styles of animation, something that would be hard to capture in live-action.

As for Netflix, the studio is hit-or-miss with its live-action adaptations. One Piece is an excellent recreation of its source material, delivering the energy and creativity that fans love, but also making it more adaptable to mainstream audiences. Meanwhile, the streamer’s Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation often feels lifeless at times, missing the humor and imagination that came from its animated style.

I don’t want to automatically call a live-action KPop Demon Hunters a disastrous decision, but it’s one that would be a tremendous undertaking. So much of the film’s success comes from its upbeat, energetic style and losing that would make it far less appetizing to viewers. Sequels are inevitable, but a live-action remake shouldn’t be on the table.