Demon Hunters' Becomes Netflix's Most-Watched Film, Securing $15M Bonus

K-Pop: Demon Hunters captivates audiences, breaking Netflix viewership records and earning substantial bonuses.

Sets new viewership record for a Netflix film.
Contributes to K-Pop’s global cultural influence.
Earned an impressive $15 million in bonus revenue.

The animated musical fantasy film, K-Pop: Demon Hunters, has become a global blockbuster for Netflix, earning the title of the streaming platform’s most-watched film of all time.

This unprecedented success led Netflix to pay a massive performance bonus to the film’s studio, Sony Pictures.

Financial Triumphs and Studio Earnings

The film’s outstanding performance resulted in Netflix paying a $15 million USD (approximately 21.9 billion KRW) bonus to Sony Pictures.

This payment reflects the film’s success on the platform since its global release in June 2024.

Bonus Payment: $15 million USD

Total Sony Profit: Sony Pictures’ total profit from the project now stands at $40 million USD (previously earning around $25 million USD, separate from the $100 million USD production cost).

The original production was co-directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, and produced by Sony Pictures Animation, known for the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse series.

Also Read: “K-Pop Demon Hunters” Director Under Fire for Alleged BLACKPINK ‘Shade’

It was originally slated for a theatrical release, but Sony sold the distribution rights to Netflix in 2021 due to uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Breaking Global Streaming Records

The animated film tells the story of a fictional K-pop girl group, HUNTR/X (members Rumi, Mira, and Zoey), who secretly balance their global fame with their true mission as demon hunters, protecting their fans from supernatural forces.

Viewership Record: The film became the most-watched Netflix film of all time, surpassing 300 million views (with reports noting over 325.1 million views by November 2025), replacing the previous record holder, Red Notice.

Critical Reception: Released in June 2024, the feature earned glowing reviews from critics and viewers for its blend of action, adventure, comedy, fantasy, and integration of contemporary K-pop culture with traditional Korean mythology.

Soundtrack Becomes a Chart and Awards Sensation

The film’s original soundtrack (OST) contributed significantly to its global impact, particularly the featured song “Golden.” The song achieved massive international success:

Chart Success: “Golden” topped both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. Official Singles Chart Top 100, making it a true global phenomenon.
Grammy Nominations: The song received multiple nominations for the prestigious 68th Grammy Awards (scheduled for February 2026), including the highly coveted:
Song of the Year
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Best Song Written for Visual Media
Oscar Contender: The song is also considered a strong contender for the Best Original Song award at the upcoming Academy Awards in March 2025.

Also Read: “KPop Demon Hunters”: How Netflix’s Animated Fantasy Became a Global K-Pop Pop Culture Phenomenon

Sequel Confirmed for 2029

Following the film’s overwhelming success, Netflix and Sony Pictures have reached an agreement for a sequel.

The follow-up, K-Pop: Demon Hunters 2, is currently slated for release in 2029.

The lengthy gap is typical for high-quality animated features, acknowledging the complex process required for both the animation and music production.

People Also Ask

What is ‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters’?: ‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters’ is an animated musical fantasy film that tells the story of a fictional K-pop girl group, HUNTR/X, who balance their fame with their mission as demon hunters.
When was ‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters’ released on Netflix?: The film was released globally on Netflix in June 2024.
How much did Netflix pay as a bonus for the film’s success?: Netflix paid a $15 million USD bonus to Sony Pictures due to the film’s outstanding performance.
What viewership record did ‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters’ achieve?: The film became the most-watched Netflix film of all time, surpassing 300 million views.
What notable achievements did the film’s soundtrack, particularly the song ‘Golden’, receive?: ‘Golden’ topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. Official Singles Chart, and received multiple Grammy nominations.
Is there a sequel planned for ‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters’?: Yes, a sequel titled ‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters 2’ is confirmed and is slated for release in 2029.