KPop Demon Hunters: Netflix's Most-Watched Film Breaks Box Office Records

Topline: The Netflix phenomenon “KPop Demon Hunters” has shattered records by becoming the most-watched film ever on the platform, Netflix announced on Tuesday. The film's successful transition into theaters over the weekend included a series of singalong showings, further solidifying its place in entertainment history, particularly on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Key Facts About "KPop Demon Hunters"

In a stunning achievement, “KPop Demon Hunters” grossed an estimated $18 million at the box office last weekend. This milestone comes just two months after its streaming release, marking it as the first Netflix movie to later ascend to the No. 1 spot at the box office. The film opened in approximately 1,700 theaters across the U.S. and Canada during a limited singalong run, with an impressive sell-out of around 1,100 screenings.

Background of the Film

“KPop Demon Hunters” made its debut on June 20 and quickly captivated audiences. The film centers around the K-pop girl group Huntr/x, who are secret demon hunters, as they face off against the rival boy band Saja Boys, who are, unbeknownst to them, secretly demons. The film has received widespread acclaim, boasting a 97% critics score and a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have lauded the film for its catchy musical numbers and visually stunning presentation.

Record-Breaking Achievements

“KPop Demon Hunters” has successfully dethroned Happy Gilmore 2, which previously held the record for Netflix's biggest opening weekend in the U.S. The film has spent nine weeks on the chart, being the most-watched English film for four of those weeks. The soundtrack of the movie features 12 songs and, as a Spotify artist, the KPop Demon Hunters cast currently enjoys 51.8 million monthly listeners on the platform.

Billboard Success

In addition to its record-breaking film status, “KPop Demon Hunters” has made history on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It is only the fifth soundtrack to achieve four top 10 hits, and the first since “Waiting To Exhale” in 1995. The film's soundtrack reached the No. 1 spot, making singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI the first K-pop girl group to top the Hot 100, as well as the first all-female trio since Destiny’s Child with their hit “Bootylicious” in 2001. Furthermore, when it peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 on July 1, “KPop Demon Hunters” became the highest-charting soundtrack since “Wicked” reached No. 8 on January 25.

Netflix's Most-Watched Movies

As of August 25, 2025, the following are Netflix's most-watched movies:

Further Reading

For more information, visit Forbes’ coverage on how “KPop Demon Hunters” jumped to No. 1 at the box office during its limited release, just two months after its streaming debut. Additionally, explore insights from the film’s directors on their approach to creating this Netflix animated hit.