‘KPop Demon Hunters’. Photo: Netflix/©2025 Netflix.
Preview:
- Sony Pictures and Netflix are making a deal for a ‘ KPop Demon Hunters’ sequel.
- The animated movie topped the box office and has soared in Netflix’s charts.
- An awards run is planned for the first movie.
It should come as little surprise that, following the enormous success of animated outing ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ on Netflix, and the surprise smash hit of it topping the English-language charts this past weekend, that the streaming service and production studio Sony are making a deal for more.
While there are no concrete details about the sequel yet, it certainly makes sense for the two companies to come to terms for a follow-up.
“They sing. They dance. They battle demons.”
Release Date: Aug 23, 2025
Run Time: 1 hr 36 min
Budget: $100,000,000
The first movie, which dropped on Netflix without much fanfare, has become a pop cultural sensation, including huge download figures for its songs and a dedicated, repeat-viewing fanbase.
Related Article: Netflix’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Sing-Along Scores Big Win at Box Office
What’s the story of ‘KPop Demon Hunters’?
‘KPop Demon Hunters’. Photo: Netflix/©2025 Netflix.
When they aren’t selling out stadiums, K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey (AKA HUNTR/X) use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat.
Together, they must face their biggest enemy yet – an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise.
The deal for the first ‘Demon Hunters’ — which was part of a larger, multi-title pact struck during the depths of the pandemic in 2021 — saw Netflix agreeing to cover the film’s entire $100 million budget in addition to paying Sony a fee of $25 million, or 25% of the budget and certain other costs. Sony also receives a piece of soundtrack sales, as well as music publishing fees for certain songs. Merchandising rights, however, belong solely to Netflix.
Some have said it was the wrong move by Sony to give up such a potential franchise cash cow, but given how tough it has been for original animation to make a dent on the box office, making it part of the company’s deal with Netflix has certainly paid dividends –– with the audience built via Netflix.
The renewed success of the movie has also led to Netflix positioning it as a potential Oscar nominee.
What will the story of the sequel be?
‘KPop Demon Hunters’. Photo: Netflix/©2025 Netflix.
Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans have spoken publicly in the broadest strokes about a possible sequel, and are considered integral to the future of ‘Demon Hunters’. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony insiders say they have held preliminary conversations with the directors but as of yet, there is no deal on the table.
When will the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ sequel hit screens?
That’s another big question. While you know the companies will want to strike while the iron is as hot as possible, it takes at least 2-3 years to make a movie like this, so we could be in for a wait.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’. Photo: Netflix/©2025 Netflix.