Since its release in early summer, it’s no secret that Sony Animation’s KPOP Demon Hunters (2025) has taken the world by storm. Set in a universe where demons prey on humans’ negative emotions, the story centers on the fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X. Through the power of friendship, combat, and song, HUNTR/X attempts to seal the Honmoon, a musical barrier that would banish demons from the human realm.
Following a June release, KPOP Demon Hunters (2025) has become the most-streamed film on Netflix. As a result of the film’s resounding success, the studio decided to give HUNTR/X a theatrical debut in August, followed by a special re-release for Halloween.
So, what makes KPOP Demon Hunters (2025) stand out from the competition, and what can other animation studios learn from its triumph?
A Fresh Taste: The Impact of Originality
I won’t lie, when I first heard the film’s title in an advertisement, I was a little jarred. I mean, what does K-pop have to do with demons? But after a couple of days and seeing the hype on social media, I decided to give it a watch, and I was pleasantly surprised. I felt compelled to attend the theatrical release in August and was then inspired to write this article. It turns out that what initially unnerved me about the movie, its distinct theme, turned me into a devout fan.
I am a firm believer that the elements of originality and surprise are what have been missing in several recent animated films released in the past decade. An enticing aspect of this movie is undoubtedly the animation. A gorgeous blend of traditional 2D and 3D animation with stunning palettes, KPOP Demon Hunters captures the essence of its universe in a unique style, creating a new standard for the industry.
The willingness of filmmakers (including the creators of KPOP Demon Hunters) to experiment can mainly be attributed to the fellow Sony Animation’s hit, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). For the past seven years, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has dominated conversations surrounding transformative animation, but it seems like KPOP Demon Hunters has come to share the spotlight, catalyzing the next generation of animated films.
The Power of Song: The Cinematic Return of Musical Numbers
If the premise of demons and K-pop didn’t intrigue you enough, the songs sure will. Whether it is “Soda Pop,” “How it’s Done,” or “Golden,” I have had this soundtrack glued to my ears for the past couple of months, and the numbers tell me that I am not alone.
Since the film’s release, HUNTR/X has been the highest charting soundtrack of 2025 on the Billboard 200. The hit, “Golden,” has topped the Billboard Global 200 chart. As a shameless musical theater nerd, it is hard to hide my personal bias, but I think it is hard for anyone to deny the impact of the musical numbers on the film’s commercial success. In my lifetime, the only comparison that I can draw to this music mania is the earworm “Let it Go” from Disney’s 2013 box-office mega-hit, Frozen.
While it might be easy to attribute the iconic melody’s success to Idina Menzel’s vocals, other movies from the Disney Renaissance have also been well-received. Some other examples include classics composed by Disney legend Alan Menken, including The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), and Aladdin (1992). These tunes remain recognizable decades after their films’ releases.
The beauty of musical numbers is that they allow the audience to find a space outside of the film to connect with the source material, as well as other fans. The diegetic storytelling ability of musical numbers is given a more widespread audience than that of musical theatre, with a cinematic release. I personally believe that the elements of catchiness from these tunes are what modern animated movies (even musicals) have been lacking in recent years.
Given these record-breaking tracks, I think it is safe to say that the Honmoon has been sealed.
Conclusion
Given the increasing risks in the film industry, a formula for success is neither predictable nor guaranteed. However, examining films that have attracted significant attention can help us speculate about what contributed to their success and what might influence the future of animated Hollywood. I surmise that many of the animation studios are feverishly trying to replicate Sony’s achievements. However, it is important that they recognize that audiences probably are not looking for carbon copies. The originality, ambition, and passion are key to what made the project so special. Therefore, studios should aim to replicate those qualities in future projects and not just try and clone the same formula and themes.