Animation smashes Netflix record in days becoming second most-watched film
Netflix may be home to countless blockbusters, but a new contender is quickly climbing to the top of the all-time leaderboard.
This animated film has captured the imaginations of viewers across the world and is currently sitting at 184.6 million views.
That puts it just behind Red Notice – and if it's momentum holds, it could dethrone it in just a matter of weeks.
The 2021 action-comedy, featuring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot, seemed untouchable – until now.
Since premiering on June 20, KPop Demon Hunters has pulled in over 20 million views per week.
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In the most recent weekly rankings from August 4–10, it picked up another 25.9 million views.
It ranked just behind My Oxford Year, but beat out anticipated titles like Happy Gilmore 2, Gladiator II, and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.
The film blends KPop, Korean folklore, and fantasy action into a neon-lit, high-energy spectacle that's unlike anything else on Netflix.
It follows fictional pop group HUNTR/X – global idols by day, demon slayers by night – as they face off against the Saja Boys, a rival boy band hiding a dark secret.
Rotten Tomatoes critics have given the film a glowing 97% score, with many praising it for its originality, emotional depth, and sheer entertainment value.
Voice talent includes Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, Ji-young Yoo, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, Lee Byung-hun, and many more familiar names.
The animation style is bold and vibrant, the soundtrack is contagious, and the choreography has already gone viral on TikTok.
The song Golden from the movie even topped the Billboard Global 200, marking a major moment for an animated act.
It's managed to cross genres, languages, and age groups – drawing in KPop stans, animation lovers, and curious Netflix browsers alike.
Week after week, its viewership has held strong, making it the only movie in Netflix history to maintain such numbers so consistently over eight straight weeks.
That consistency is what makes this climb so significant – and so threatening to Red Notice's long-standing record.
KPop Demon Hunters now needs around 46 million more views to claim the title of Netflix's most-watched movie ever.
Netflix hasn't confirmed plans for a sequel just yet, but fans are already demanding one – plus merch, a series, and possibly even a live-action spin-off.
Fans have praised the new animation for creating a new generation of K-pop fans – whilst also bringing back older generations.
@wisewyss on X said: 'The more the merrier, new KPop fans will come of this.'
'My love for KPop was revived thanks to this movie,' @ravenPH added.
The film has also reignited conversation around what animated movies can be – especially when paired with global music trends like K-pop.
And if there was ever doubt about the worldwide power of Korean storytelling, this movie silenced it.
While most of Netflix's top movies come from Hollywood studios with action-heavy formulas, KPop Demon Hunters proves that creativity and cultural flair can be just as powerful. More Trending
It's a massive win for Korean creators, for animated storytelling, and for viewers looking for something fresh.
With just a few weeks to go before it potentially claims the number one spot, all eyes are on HUNTR/X.
They came to slay demons, now they might slay the Netflix record books too.
KPop Demon Hunters is available to stream on Netflix now.
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