Netflix Is Taking the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Sequel to Theaters in a Big Way

Few animated films have taken over pop culture quite like ‘KPop Demon Hunters’. The Sony Pictures Animation musical debuted exclusively on Netflix on June 20, 2025, following Huntr/x, a K-pop girl group who moonlight as demon hunters and face off against the demonic boy band Saja Boys. Ever since, fans have been wondering how Netflix would handle the ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ sequel.

The numbers explain the hype. The original amassed 325.1 million views in its first 90 days on the platform and spent 63 consecutive weeks in the Global Top 10. Its singalong version also proved there was serious box office appetite, grossing $24.3 million domestically over just 5 non-consecutive days.

Now, that box office potential is officially being put to work. Speaking at Bloomberg Screentime in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed that the follow-up will hit theaters on a massive scale. “When the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ sequel comes, you can expect a very broad theatrical release,” Sarandos said, as reported by Deadline.

The executive went even further, describing plans for a big, broad, global rollout for the sequel, which is expected in 2029. That marks a major departure from the original, which skipped a traditional theatrical run entirely.

The announcement came as Sarandos discussed the streamer’s evolving approach to theaters. He explained that Netflix is now asking how to serve movie lovers who want a theatrical experience without harming value for the platform. The goal, he said, is positioning each film in the best possible way around the world.

‘K-POP: DEMON HUNTERS 2’ will get a wide theatrical release from Netflix. https://t.co/VVdiXpQu8o

— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) October 1, 2026

A key part of that thinking involves splitting releases into different categories. Sarandos contrasted arthouse films like ‘La Bola Negra’ and ‘Train Dreams’ with wide-appeal family movies like ‘KPop Demon Hunters’, which he described as 4-quadrant rewatch titles. That’s why ‘KPop Demon Hunters 2’ joins ‘Narnia’ in getting the big, broad treatment.

He also noted that kids and family movies are the exception in Netflix’s viewing data, since they get a lot of rewatching. Other titles often lose their most passionate audience to theaters before they ever reach streaming, making family films a safer bet for a dual release.

First trailer for ‘K-POP: DEMON HUNTERS’, a new film from Sony Pictures Animation.

Releasing June 20 on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/aXU3sZQXbH

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 22, 2025

The sequel’s theatrical plan is part of a larger shift for Netflix, which is beginning to lean more heavily into cinemas before bringing films to its platform. Before ‘KPop Demon Hunters 2’ arrives, the company will give ‘La Bola Negra’ its first full 45-day theatrical window. Still, the move isn’t necessarily a sign that Netflix will fully pivot to theatrical releases across the board.

The decision also feels like a correction of sorts. Back when sequel talks first emerged, The Hollywood Reporter noted a source suggesting Sony had erred by passing the original’s distribution rights to Netflix instead of investing in a theatrical run.

Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation officially confirmed back in March that a sequel was in development. The original was directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and starred Arden Cho as Rumi, May Hong as Mira, and Ji-young Yoo as Zoey. Plot details for the follow-up remain under wraps.

Fans are already counting down to the big-screen event, with plenty of excited reactions flooding social media after the news broke. One user on X shared a meme imagining their reaction when the sequel finally opens in theaters, capturing the mood of a fanbase that has been eager for more Huntr/x since day 1.

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