History of KPop Demon Hunters in Timeline

KPop Demon Hunters is a 2025 animated musical urban fantasy film about a K-pop girl group named Huntrix who secretly hunt demons. The film, co-written and directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, features the voices of Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, and others. Huntrix confronts a rival boy band, the Saja Boys, who are actually demons. The film is produced by Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix and animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks.

1995: First Soundtrack to Feature 3 Songs in Top 10 Since Waiting to Exhale

In 2025, KPop Demon Hunters became the first film soundtrack since Waiting to Exhale in 1995 to feature at least three of its songs in the top 10.

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2006: The Host release

In 2006, the film The Host, directed by Bong Joon Ho, was released and cited as an inspiration for blending genres and moods for KPop Demon Hunters.

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2017: Inspiration from The Villainess

In 2017, the South Korean film The Villainess was released, and its glitter effects inspired the dance-fighting sequences in KPop Demon Hunters.

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2018: Initial Pitch

In 2018, director Maggie Kang first pitched the idea that eventually became KPop Demon Hunters to film producer Aron Warner.

March 8, 2021: Film Announcement

On March 8, 2021, the film, under the working title K-Pop: Demon Hunters, was announced to be underway at Sony with Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans directing, and Hannah McMechan and Danya Jimenez writing the script.

March 2021: KPop Demon Hunters Film Enters Production

In March 2021, KPop Demon Hunters entered production with the full creative team attached. The visuals were influenced by concert lighting, editorial photography, music videos, and anime and Korean dramas.

March 2021: Initial Film Announcement by Sony

In March 2021, Sony Pictures Animation announced KPop Demon Hunters without a release timetable.

2021: Wish Dragon release

In 2021, Wish Dragon, directed by Chris Appelhans, was released.

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April 2022: Netflix Filing

In April 2022, it was first reported that Netflix registered a filing for the film KPop Demon Hunters.

2022: First Netflix soundtrack to reach number one since Stranger Things

In 2025, the soundtrack album for KPop Demon Hunters became the first Netflix soundtrack to reach number one on the Top Soundtracks since Stranger Things: Soundtrack from the Netflix Series, Season 4 in 2022.

February 2023: Netflix Confirmation

In February 2023, the release of KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix was confirmed in a Business Insider interview with Sony Pictures film CEO Tom Rothman.

2023: Highest Charting Soundtrack Since Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

In 2025, the soundtrack album for KPop Demon Hunters became the highest-charting animated film's soundtrack album on the Billboard charts since Metro Boomin's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in 2023.

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June 2024: Release Year Announcement

In June 2024, Sony announced that KPop Demon Hunters would be released in 2025.

April 2025: Casting Announcements

In April 2025, Ji-young Yoo was announced as Zoey in KPop Demon Hunters, with the rest of the cast being announced later that month.

April 2025: Release Date Updates

In April 2025, an animator mentioned a June release for KPop Demon Hunters, which was later announced as June 20, 2025.

June 2025: Theatrical Release and Awards Eligibility

In June 2025, the theatrical release of KPop Demon Hunters in the United States satisfied the eligibility requirements for the Best Animated Film and Best Original Song categories at the Oscars.

June 20, 2025: KPop Demon Hunters Netflix Streaming Release

On June 20, 2025, KPop Demon Hunters began streaming on Netflix and became the most-watched original title in Netflix history with over 500 million views.

July 2025: Tourism in South Korea boosted by KPop Demon Hunters' popularity

In July 2025, Seoul experienced a 23.1% increase in international tourists compared to July 2024, and 18% from July 2019, with 1.36 million visitors drawn to Seoul, boosted by the popularity of KPop Demon Hunters.

July 2025: Netflix considers follow-up projects

In July 2025, following the success of KPop Demon Hunters, TheWrap reported that Netflix had begun considering several potential follow-up projects, including two sequels, a television series, a short film, and a stage musical.

July 29, 2025: Netflix announces KPop Demon Hunters as most watched animated film

On July 29, 2025, Netflix announced that KPop Demon Hunters had become its "most watched original animated film of all time".

August 2025: Sony negotiates with Kang and Appelhans for follow-up project

In August 2025, Belloni reported that Sony had just begun negotiations with Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans to both return for a KPop Demon Hunters follow-up project.

August 23, 2025: Sing-along version released in theaters

On August 23, 2025, the sing-along version of KPop Demon Hunters was released in 1,700 theaters, debuting as the company's best-performing theatrical release.

September 2025: Short film rated PG

In September 2025, the KPop Demon Hunters short film, Debut: A KPop Demon Hunters Story, was rated PG by the MPA.

October 2, 2025: KPop Demon Hunters added to Fortnite

On October 2, 2025, Rumi, Mira, and Zoey were added to the video game Fortnite as purchasable skins, alongside a KPop Demon Hunters-themed limited time mode and items.

October 8, 2025: Soundtrack Certified Platinum

On October 8, 2025, the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack was certified Platinum by the RIAA, with sales exceeding 1 million units.

October 2025: Toy licenses granted to Hasbro and Mattel

In October 2025, it was announced that Netflix had granted KPop Demon Hunters toy licenses to both Hasbro and Mattel, with toys scheduled to be sold at retail beginning in 2026.

October 2025: Soundtrack Certified Double Platinum

In October 2025, the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack was certified double platinum in the US.

November 2, 2025: Second Theatrical Sing-Along Release

From October 31 to November 2, 2025, KPop Demon Hunters had a second theatrical sing-along release.

November 5, 2025: Sequel planned for release in 2029

On November 5, 2025, it was announced that a KPop Demon Hunters sequel is planned for release in 2029, with Maggie Kang writing the script.

December 24, 2025: KPop Demon Hunters surpasses 500 million views

As of December 24, 2025, KPop Demon Hunters had received more than 500 million views on Netflix.

2025: KPop Demon Hunters costumes gain popularity for Halloween

During the 2025 Halloween season, KPop Demon Hunters-related costumes became very popular, dominating Google search rankings and selling out quickly at major retailers.

2025: KPop Demon Hunters Accolades

In 2025, KPop Demon Hunters received acclaim for its animation, visual style, voice acting, story, and music. Time named it the "2025 breakthrough of the year".

2025: Soundtrack Success in 2025

In 2025, the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack album debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200, becoming the highest debut for soundtracks that year and the first soundtrack to reach the top ten. The soundtrack also became the first in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to feature four of its songs in the top ten simultaneously, including "Golden", "Your Idol", "Soda Pop", and "How It's Done".

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2025: KPop Demon Hunters drives merchandise sales

In 2025, the official Netflix shop added a KPop Demon Hunters section, with T-shirts and plushies being among the top five best-selling items, contributing to the film being described as a widespread phenomenon.