A new animated film has rewritten the viewership records on Netflix, dethroning some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters to become the most-watched film of all time on the streaming platform. The film, an anime musical titled KPop Demon Hunters, has become a global phenomenon, captivating audiences with its unique blend of K-pop music and high-stakes, monster-slaying action.
According to data from Tudum, Netflix’s official data arm, KPop Demon Hunters has amassed a staggering 236 million views since its release in June. This number surpasses the previous record holder, Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot’s star-studded action-comedy, Red Notice, which had garnered 231 million views.
A Different Kind of Record-Breaker
While the anime film has a smaller runtime of 100 minutes compared to its competitors, it has still managed to rack up an impressive 23 billion minutes watched. This places it behind only Red Notice (27 billion) and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Don’t Look Up (25 billion) in terms of total minutes viewed. The success of KPop Demon Hunters is a testament to its incredible re-watchability, a key factor in its consistent viewership.
The film’s performance is particularly remarkable when viewed against other big-budget Netflix originals. The most expensive Netflix film ever produced, the Russo Brothers’ The Gray Man, is currently at the ninth spot with 139 million views. The new animated sensation also outperformed films like Carry-On (172 million views), The Adam Project (157 million), and Bird Box (157 million) in the 91-day window that Netflix uses to rank its content.
The Secret to Its Success: Music and Story
KPop Demon Hunters is an American animated musical that follows the double lives of the members of a fictional K-pop girl group, Huntr/x, who are secretly demon hunters. The film has received critical acclaim for its vibrant animation, compelling visuals, and engaging writing. Its success, however, extends far beyond the screen.
The film’s music has been a phenomenon in its own right, topping music charts worldwide. The soundtrack made history by becoming the first film soundtrack to have four songs simultaneously featured in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, with multiple tracks hitting the number one spot. The immense popularity of the music has driven fans to repeatedly watch the film, creating a feedback loop of engagement that has solidified its record-breaking performance.
Due to its unprecedented success, a sequel to KPop Demon Hunters is already in development, promising to expand the universe for its dedicated and growing global fanbase.