Netflix’s ‘K-POP: Demon Hunters’ Set to Become the Next ‘Frozen’ with Sequels and Live-Action Remake According to Reports

Netflix’s hit animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” is quickly becoming much more than just a one-time success. Released in June 2025 and produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the movie has captured audiences with its unique blend of K-pop music, fantasy, and vibrant storytelling.

Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, who also co-wrote the script with Danya Jimenez and Hannah McMechan, the film tells the story of Huntr/x, a K-pop girl group who secretly fight demons while competing against a rival boy band, the Saja Boys, who are actually demons themselves.

The idea for “KPop Demon Hunters” came from Kang’s wish to create a story deeply rooted in her Korean heritage, mixing mythology, demon lore, and the energetic world of K-pop. The animation style was inspired by concert lighting, music videos, anime, and Korean dramas, and the soundtrack features original songs alongside a score by Marcelo Zarvos.

Since its release on Netflix, the film has been praised for its eye-catching animation, strong voice performances, engaging story, humor, emotional depth, and catchy music. The soundtrack also did really well, reaching top spots on various music charts.

Now, according to TheWrap, Netflix is planning to turn “KPop Demon Hunters” into a bigger franchise. The film’s success has sparked interest in several new projects including sequels and even a live-action remake.

The story, set in Seoul but told in English, follows three K-pop stars whose powerful songs help them fight off demons. The film has become a cultural hit, with millions of streams and chart-topping songs appealing to both kids and adults alike.

During Netflix’s recent earnings call, co-CEO Ted Sarandos described “KPop Demon Hunters” as “a phenomenal success out of the gate … And the fact that people are in love with this film and in love with the music from this film, that will keep it going for a long time. So we’re really thrilled. And now the next beat is, where does it go from here?”

The streaming giant sees this film as its own version of “Frozen,” aiming to build a wide-reaching franchise similar to Disney’s blockbuster series. Sources familiar with Netflix’s plans revealed to TheWrap that the company is exploring options like a stage musical, a live-action remake, a series, and two sequels that would complete a trilogy of “KPop Demon Hunters” films. They are also considering a short film to bridge the gap between the main movies, much like Disney did with “Frozen Fever” between the two “Frozen” movies.

“KPop Demon Hunters” represents a rare success story, benefiting from Netflix’s support for original animation and the global surge of interest in Korean culture. What started as a smaller project quickly blossomed into a cultural phenomenon, proving that surprises can still shake up the entertainment world.

Netflix is also expanding its merchandising efforts for the franchise. Although it started slowly with only a few items, “KPop Demon Hunters” merchandise has become one of the most popular in Netflix’s official store this year.

The company plans to partner with outside brands to get these products into malls and big retail stores. For example, South Korean tech giant Samsung recently teamed up with the movie for an ad campaign featuring their Galaxy Z Fold 7 phone, which showcases a unique bird character from the film.

Musically, “KPop Demon Hunters” is getting even more exposure. The song “Golden” from the film’s soundtrack has been submitted for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards, and there are talks of live performances to further promote the music. This draws another interesting comparison to “Frozen,” which not only won Best Animated Feature but also had its songs become global hits.

The only potential hurdle for Netflix’s plans is that original directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans haven’t yet agreed to work on future projects. For Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation, reuniting this creative team will be important before moving forward with the franchise’s expansion.

Still, Netflix holds the full rights to “KPop Demon Hunters,” meaning the company can continue building on the story however it wants, with or without Sony Pictures Animation. According to insiders, both Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation intend to keep collaborating on the franchise’s future.

This growing empire shows that “KPop Demon Hunters” is set to be much more than just a popular movie, it’s becoming a major new cultural force.

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