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Image Courtesy: Animation Magazine
With an astounding 20.5 billion minutes viewed on Netflix in the United States alone, 'KPop Demon Hunters,' the Oscar-nominated animated phenomenon, has swept the globe and emerged as the most streamed movie of 2025. The film, which combines vibrant K-pop music, exciting action, and bright animation, has won many Oscar nominations, topped streaming charts, and enthralled viewers worldwide. Its unmatched success solidifies 'KPop Demon Hunters' as a critical and commercial sensation and emphasizes the expanding impact of K-pop culture in film.
'KPop Demon Hunters' Takes Streaming by Storm
According to yearly Nielsen data, Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters' has become the most streamed movie of 2025, with an incredible 20.5 billion minutes viewed in the US alone. That number, which translates to over 207 million full viewings of the 99-minute animated film, has put the film well ahead of its rivals and made it one of the year's most talked-about films. Surprisingly, despite its mid-June 2025 premiere, the movie managed to reach this milestone, exhibiting consistent audience participation over several months.
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Image Courtesy: Rolling Stone
The film's combination of vibrant animation, contagious K-pop influences, and action-packed plot contributes to its enormous success. The plot centers on a fictional K-pop girl group called HUNTR/X, whose members manage pop superstardom with their covert purpose of fighting demons to save humanity—a notion that has struck a chord with viewers all around the world. The movie's cultural impact was further enhanced by the soundtrack, particularly the popular song 'Golden,' which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for several weeks and is now nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Original Song.
Beyond Nielsen's success in terms of viewing, 'KPop Demon Hunters' has drawn more attention from the industry. With 482 million views worldwide over a six-month period, Netflix estimates that the title smashed records for most-watched video on the platform, demonstrating its widespread appeal. The film's critical and popular success was further demonstrated by the Oscar nominations it received in the categories of animated feature and original song.
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Image Courtesy: The Hollywood Reporter
The movie has reinvented what animated narrative can accomplish in a streaming era, and both audiences and award organizations have acknowledged its significance.
Netflix's Streaming Landscape in 2025: Where 'KPop Demon Hunters' Fits
When compared to other top streaming titles of 2025, such as the family favorite 'Moana 2,' which received about 9.4 billion minutes, 'Despicable Me 4,' which received 8.7 billion, and Adam Sandler's 'Happy Gilmore 2,' which received about 7.1 billion minutes, the symbolism of 'KPop Demon Hunters' dominance becomes more apparent. The stark contrast highlights how 'KPop Demon Hunters' didn't just lead its category—it towered over films across genres, becoming a defining title of the year.
In the larger streaming market, popular TV shows also dominated viewership charts: 'Stranger Things' gathered close to 40 billion streaming minutes, and Disney+'s 'Bluey' amassed over 45 billion, solidifying 2025 as a strong year for diverse digital content.
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Image Courtesy: D23
However, 'KPop Demon Hunters' emerged as animation's most significant rival despite this competition, proving that uniqueness and novel cultural fusion can draw millions of viewers worldwide.
Its success, according to industry experts, is a reflection of broader developments in international entertainment: complex soundtracks, strong storytelling, and animated films with cross-cultural appeal are increasingly essential for maintaining viewer interest. As part of Netflix's strategy, the film's mid‑year theatrical engagements and marketing pushed it beyond digital screens, giving it both streaming longevity and real‑world presence.
