‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Sing-Alongs Sell Out As Film Reclaims Netflix’s Weekly Top Spot, Nears All-Time Record

Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation’s musical phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters has returned to the top of the streamer’s global Top 10 chart this week, setting the stage for a now inevitable milestone: by the time next week’s rankings are published, the film will almost surely be Netflix’s most-watched original film ever.

KPop Demon Hunters has now been viewed 210.5 million times since its June 20 release. Unlike most Netflix titles, which see viewership peak in their first two weeks, KPDH grew stronger over time and has plateaued at around 26 million views per week for the last five weeks. The performance is unprecedented, and there are no suitable comparisons in Netflix’s history.

The only thing that could seemingly stall KPDH‘s taking the top all-time spot on Netflix next week is if this weekend’s theatrical sing-alongs pull audiences away from their TVs and into cinemas, but more on that later.

In any case, KPop Demon Hunters has plenty of time left to take the title. The film has only been available on Netflix for 61 days, and the streamer uses a 91-day window for its record-keeping, meaning KPDH has a full month left to surpass and leave Red Notice, the streamer’s current record-holder, in its dust.

Sing-Along Screens Hit Cinemas This Weekend

Just as the film cements its Netflix dominance, KPop Demon Hunters is about to test its strength in theaters and could prove a tremendous relief to beleaguered cinemas that have very little to offer audiences as summer winds down. On August 23 and 24, Netflix is hosting a two-day sing-along rollout across North America, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand.

The event has already sparked a frenzy: more than 1,700 cinemas in the U.S. and Canada have booked screenings, and as of Aug. 19, over 1,000 showtimes were sold out. Major chains such as Regal Cinemas, Cinemark Theatres, and Alamo Drafthouse are on board, breaking with their usual reluctance to showcase Netflix titles. AMC Theatres, the largest chain in the U.S., has not yet signed on.

Box office analysts suggest the sing-alongs could deliver between $5 million and $10 million domestically over the weekend, a significant haul for what is technically a two-day special event for a film that has already been available online for weeks, and one that could see the film land near the top of the weekend charts. Last week, that total would have been good enough for third place.

Theatrical sing-alongs may also provide a fresh pipeline for the soundtrack, which continues to fuel the film’s cultural footprint. Featuring original songs from artists including EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI, and a special track performed by TWICE members Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung, the music has become central to the film’s fandom.

A New Netflix Benchmark

Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, KPop Demon Hunters follows Huntr/x, a K-pop girl group who moonlight as demon slayers when they’re not on stage. The mix of animated spectacle, cultural authenticity, and tongue-in-cheek humor has already made it Netflix’s most-viewed animated original ever.

With sequels reportedly in early development and a short film also planned, Netflix seems eager to build KPop Demon Hunters into a full-fledged franchise. The theatrical sing-alongs only underscore that the film has outgrown its streaming roots and become a bona fide global event.

If projections hold, next week will mark a historic moment: the first time an animated film will claim the title of the streamer’s most-watched original film of all time.