The animated musical film about teenage pop stars secretly fighting demons has become Netflix’s most-watched film ever, surpassing all previous records for the streaming giant.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ — which follows an all-female K-pop group balancing global fame with a secret mission to protect humanity — has accumulated more than 236 million views since its release in June, Netflix confirmed. The film overtakes the 2021 action title ‘Red Notice,’ starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot, as the platform’s most-watched release across any genre.

The success extends beyond streaming. The film recently topped the U.S. box office, becoming the first Netflix title to achieve the feat, after a sing-along version debuted in more than 1,000 theaters over the weekend. The limited release reportedly generated $18 million in ticket sales, despite Netflix’s usual reluctance to pursue wide theatrical runs. Screenings in the U.K. were similarly sold out ahead of the sing-along edition’s arrival on the platform.

The story centers on Huntr/x, a trio of performers — Rumi, Mira and Zoey — who struggle to maintain their stardom while serving as covert demon hunters. Their challenges intensify when they clash with a rival boy band, the Saja Boys, whose members are secretly demons.

Music has been integral to the film’s success. Its soundtrack has broken records, becoming the first in history to place four songs simultaneously in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100’s top 10, led by the chart-topping track ‘Golden.’ Three songs rank within the top five — a milestone not reached since ‘Saturday Night Fever’ in 1978, when Bee Gees hits dominated the charts.

The achievement comes at a time when animated features from major studios have struggled, as companies like Disney and Universal increasingly favor live-action remakes of established properties such as ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and ‘How to Train Your Dragon.’ By contrast, ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ offers an original narrative, new characters, and original music.

The film was produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the studio behind the ‘Spider-Verse’ franchise, and is noted for its distinctive pink-and-purple visual aesthetic.

Industry analysts point to the film’s embrace of fandom culture as another factor in its popularity. Fans play a pivotal role within the story, while real-world supporters have propelled its momentum on streaming platforms, in cinemas, and on the charts.

Despite its fantastical premise, those involved in the production credit the relatability of its characters for the film’s widespread appeal.

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