Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" has officially become the streaming platform's most-watched title of all time, surpassing the previous record holder "Squid Game" with an impressive 266 million views. The milestone achievement was announced by Netflix on Wednesday, marking a significant moment in streaming entertainment history.
The US-produced animated feature has dominated both film and television categories on the platform, becoming the most-watched content across Netflix's entire catalog. "KPop Demon Hunters" managed to overtake not only the first season of South Korea's global phenomenon "Squid Game" but also the popular American series "Wednesday" in terms of cumulative viewership numbers.
Just two weeks prior to this announcement, "KPop Demon Hunters" held the third position behind "Squid Game" Season 1, which had accumulated 265.2 million views, and "Wednesday," which garnered 252.1 million views. This rapid ascent to the top spot represents a remarkable achievement, as the film has successfully broken viewership records that were established by titles released during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period when online streaming reached unprecedented peak levels.
In the movie category specifically, "KPop Demon Hunters" has claimed the title of most-watched film in Netflix's history, dethroning the 2021 action thriller "Red Notice," which starred popular actors Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds. This accomplishment highlights the growing appeal of animated content and cross-cultural entertainment on streaming platforms.
The film centers around an action-adventure storyline featuring a fictional K-pop group called Huntr/x, who discover they possess the unique ability to use their music as a weapon against evil spirits and supernatural threats. Critics and audiences have praised the movie for its innovative blend of contemporary K-pop culture with traditional elements of Korean shamanism, creating a distinctive viewing experience that resonates with global audiences.
Netflix calculates its official rankings based on cumulative viewership data collected during a title's first 91 days of availability on the platform. Since "KPop Demon Hunters" was released on June 20, the film still has approximately two weeks remaining in this crucial measurement period and is expected to maintain its leading position.
The success of "KPop Demon Hunters" extends beyond just viewership numbers, as the film's soundtrack has also achieved significant commercial success. "Golden," one of the standout songs from the movie's soundtrack, has dominated the Billboard Hot 100 main singles chart for three consecutive weeks, demonstrating the crossover appeal of the film's music.
To capitalize on the film's popularity and musical elements, Netflix organized special sing-along screenings in US theaters on August 23-24, providing fans with an interactive cinema experience. Additionally, a sing-along version of the film was made available on Netflix, allowing viewers to participate in the musical aspects of the movie from the comfort of their homes.
