KPop Demon Hunters Shatters Netflix Records with 482 Million Views in 2025
KPop Demon Hunters Shatters Netflix Records
Netflix's animated sensation 'KPop Demon Hunters' has claimed the throne as the streamer's most-watched title ever, dominating with a staggering 482 million views in the second half of 2025 alone. This semiannual data drop from Netflix's What We Watched report underscores its unparalleled success, far outpacing competitors and redefining animated blockbuster potential on the platform.
Unmatched Viewership Dominance
The film's explosive popularity blends high-energy K-pop vibes with thrilling demon-hunting action, captivating global audiences. It dwarfed previous hits, becoming Netflix's record-holder per Screen Daily, and nearly toppled Disney's Encanto in cumulative hours, trailing by just 31.6 million despite a fierce battle. Its soundtrack, featuring Golden ranking second in global streams, amplified the frenzy alongside K-pop stars like Rosé.
Implications for Streaming Future
This triumph signals a new era for animated content fused with K-pop culture, boosting Netflix's strategy for original IPs. With viewership still declining yet unmatched since mid-2023, expect sequels and theatrical pushes, proving hybrid genres can conquer streaming charts decisively.
About the Organizations Mentioned
Netflix
Netflix, Inc., founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Los Gatos, California, is a global media and entertainment company primarily known for its streaming service that offers movies, TV series, and games to over 300 million paid subscribers across more than 190 countries[1][2]. Initially disrupting the traditional video rental market dominated by Blockbuster, Netflix evolved from DVD rentals to pioneering the streaming model in 2007, fundamentally changing how audiences consume entertainment[1]. Netflix’s transition into original content production beginning in 2013 marked a significant milestone, with acclaimed series and films that garnered numerous awards, establishing it not only as a distributor but also a creator of high-quality content[1]. This strategic pivot helped Netflix compete against traditional broadcasters and emerging streaming platforms. By 2023, Netflix expanded into live programming, further broadening its content offerings and competitive scope[1]. Financially, Netflix is a powerhouse with a market capitalization of approximately $464 billion as of late 2025, annual revenues exceeding $43 billion, and a strong earnings per share figure of $23.97 from the previous year, showcasing robust profitability and investor confidence[1]. Under the leadership of CEO Theodore A. Sarandos, Netflix continues to innovate in entertainment technology, providing flexible viewing experiences where users can play, pause, and resume content anytime, anywhere[1][2]. Notable aspects of Netflix include its disruption of traditional media, its investment in diverse global content, and its adaptation to technological shifts in media consumption. Its impact extends beyond entertainment to influence digital distribution, consumer behavior, and the economics of content creation and delivery in the 21st century[1][2]. Netflix remains a benchmark in streaming services and a key player in the evolving landscape of global entertainment.
Screen Daily
**Screen International**, commonly known through its digital arm **Screen Daily** (screendaily.com), is a leading British film magazine and online platform delivering essential news, insights, and data on the global film business, including finance, production, distribution, sales, reviews, and festivals.[1][3][7] Published by **Media Business Insight**, a B2B media company, it targets industry professionals with real-time updates, monthly print editions, awards-season weeklies, and daily festival editions at key events like Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, American Film Market, and Hong Kong.[1][4] Its rich history traces back to 1889 as *Optical Magic Lantern and Photographic Enlarger*, evolving through names like *Cinematographic Journal* (1900), *Kinematograph and Lantern Weekly* (1907), *Today’s Cinema*/*CinemaTV Today* (1972), before Peter King relaunched it as *Screen International* in 1975 for £50,000 after acquiring the struggling *CinemaTV Today*.[1][2] Ownership shifted from Rex Publications to International Thomson (1989), EMAP (1993), and Ascential, which enabled a 2015 management buyout forming Media Business Insight; the related **Screen International Group Limited** remains active, filing accounts as of January 2025.[1][5] Key achievements include shaping film journalism, with alumni like producer Colin Vaines (Miramax, GK Films) becoming industry leaders, and maintaining influence through editors such as Matt Mueller (2015–present).[1][2] It produces high-profile content like company profiles on Netflix's Balkan push, Disney's strategies, and indie producers like See-Saw Films.[6] Today, **Screen Daily** thrives as the "essential resource" for international cinema, featuring breaking news, trailers (e.g., Wes Anderson's *The Phoenician Scheme*), reviews by executive editor