KPop Demon Hunters was a huge success on Netflix. But Sony walked away with only 20 million from a deal many now call a mistake. The film blew up worldwide, yet the studio’s profit stayed stuck. This shows how flat streaming deals can hurt even the biggest hits.
KPop Demon Hunters scored global fame, but Sony’s $20M deal left creators empty-handed.”
How the deal was set
In 2021, Sony signed a deal straight with Netflix. The rule was simple. Netflix would pay a set fee for each movie. The cap was 20 million. No matter how well a film did, Sony would not earn more. Back then, it looked safe. But safe does not always mean smart.
The rise of KPop Demon Hunters
KPop Demon Hunters came out in June 2025. At first, nothing special. Then the views climbed each week. By week five, it reached its peak. That almost never happens on Netflix. People kept watching and sharing. By August, it had more than 158 million views. It ranked in the top four English films on Netflix. Fans made clips, memes, and fan art across social media.
The music storm
Music pushed the film even higher. The track Golden became a hit on its own. Star DJ David Guetta even dropped his own remix. Teen fans sang it on TikTok. I once heard it play nonstop at a cafe near my home. Even people who never saw the movie knew the song. That is the kind of pull that keeps a film alive.
Why Sony lost out
The sad truth is Sony got none of that extra success. The 20 million cap froze their earnings. Reports say the film cost more than 100 million to make. Anyone can see that is a loss. Sony gave away what could have been a gold mine. Netflix, in turn, scored a record hit that boosted its reach.
Plans for a sequel
Talks about a sequel are now on the table. Netflix wants more. A trilogy and spin-offs are even being discussed. Fans would cheer that move. But will Sony agree to the same kind of deal again? If it were me, I would be careful. Streaming can give a film a huge stage. But with bad terms, the studio ends up with nothing.
That sting is real
I watched the film with my sister. She loved the bright colors, the wild action, and the music. I liked the way it mixed K-pop style with demon battles. Later, I read Sony only made 20 million. I felt shocked. It reminded me of times I sold something cheap and saw others make more from it. That sting is real.
A lesson in knowing your value
KPop Demon Hunters proved the power of strong art and music. But it also showed how easy it is to lose from a bad deal. A film can be loved around the globe, yet the makers gain little. For me, it is a lesson in knowing your value and not giving it away.
Trivia
- Kpop Demon Hunters is Sony Pictures Animation’s first non-Columbia Pictures-affiliated film. It was purchased by the rights from Netflix mid-production.
- It is the fourth studio film to be released on Netflix following The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Wish Dragon, and Vivo.
- It is their fourth film released in June following Surf’s Up, Wish Dragon, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
- It is second musical by Sony Pictures Animation’s , the first being Vivo in 2021.
- A Google Easter egg prints out the scrolling word “Couch!” when you search the title.
- Netflix previously sold t-shirts with Rumi and Mira’s last name misspelled. The errors were due to a wiki prank and an honorific mistranslation. The products were then rectified and re-sold.
FAQ
Why did audiences connect so strongly with K-Pop Demon Hunters?
The audience loved the fusion of K-pop visuals, colorful animation, and demon-fighting action. The fusion of music and adventure made it look fresh against other animated films.
Did K-Pop Demon Hunters change Netflix’s idea of animated films?
K-Pop Demon Hunters changed how Netflix perceived animated films.
Yes. The success of K-Pop Demon Hunters showed Netflix that animated shows with great music and pop culture backends can be global successes, rather than just niche releases.
Did the success of K-Pop Demon Hunters depend more on the music or its plot ?
Both. The music drew new viewers, but the characters and plot of K-Pop Demon Hunters kept the fans hooked and re-watches.
Could K-Pop Demon Hunters have been a box office hit ,if it was released in theatre instead of streaming ?
Everyone believes so. With its viral rating and growing popularity, K-Pop Demon Hunters could have earned much more if Sony had released it widely in theaters.
What do the fans want to see in K-Pop Demon Hunters 2?
The public is yearning for character backstories, more music numbers, and bigger demon battle scenes. Others are also hoping the sequel will carry on with crews like the Saja Boys.
