"KPop Demon Hunters" Achieves 184.6 Million Views, Becomes Netflix's Second Most-Watched English-Language Film Amidst Cultural Critique

Los Angeles, CA – KPop Demon Hunters, the animated musical urban fantasy film from Sony Pictures Animation, has rapidly ascended to become Netflix's second most-watched English-language film, accumulating 184.6 million views in the eight weeks following its June 20, 2025 premiere. The film, which follows a K-pop girl group leading double lives as demon hunters, has garnered widespread critical acclaim and significant commercial success, with its soundtrack also topping global music charts.

The film's lead single, "Golden," performed by the fictional girl group Huntr/x, reached number one on the Billboard Global 200 and the US Billboard Hot 100, and achieved a "perfect all-kill" on South Korean charts. Critics have lauded KPop Demon Hunters for its vibrant animation, engaging storyline, and catchy music, contributing to a 97% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its success is seen as a significant win for Netflix in the animated film space.

However, the film has also drawn sharp criticism from some quarters regarding its thematic content. Will Spencer, a social media commentator, expressed a strong negative view on the film, stating in a recent tweet that it is "drenched in cheap materialism and suggestive lyrics." Spencer further criticized the portrayal of characters, noting, "All the male characters are either demons, effeminate, or both," and that "family members are almost totally absent."

Spencer's critique highlighted the film's narrative approach to salvation, asserting that "the salvation of the world from the devil and his army of demons is accomplished via humanity's work together as one—led by teenage girls—not via the sovereign grace of God and His Son Jesus Christ." He concluded that the film is "not a Christian movie or even pretending to be a Western one," describing it as "DEI East Asian pagan folk mythology mixed with the modern Korean obsession with pop culture. Worldly through and through."

Despite such objections, KPop Demon Hunters has resonated broadly with audiences and critics alike, who praise its innovative blend of K-pop culture, Korean mythology, and action-comedy. The film's directors, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, have discussed themes of identity, shame, and self-acceptance within the narrative, with lead voice actress Arden Cho noting the protagonist's journey parallels a "coming out" experience. Netflix is reportedly considering multiple follow-up projects, including sequels and a television series, to expand on the film's universe.