Mark Sonnenblick, the acclaimed songwriter behind the Oscar-nominated soundtrack for KPop Demon Hunters, has officially teased that a sequel to the blockbuster animated movie is currently 'in process'. This revelation comes as the original film, which debuted on Netflix in June, has shattered records to become the streaming giant's most popular film of all time.
Unprecedented Success on Netflix and Beyond
Launched on June 20, KPop Demon Hunters achieved a staggering viewership of nearly 159 million times within its first seven weeks alone. This monumental performance allowed it to surpass previous record-holder Red Notice, establishing it as Netflix's most-watched movie ever. Additionally, the film outstreamed the first season of the dystopian Korean drama Squid Game, cementing its status as Netflix's most successful release to date.
Theatrical Triumph and Global Impact
In August, the film expanded its reach with a limited theatrical release across the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Over 1,000 screenings sold out over a two-day period, propelling KPop Demon Hunters to the top of the US box office. Fans enthusiastically branded the experience the 'closest thing to a rave for kids'. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the theatrical run grossed an impressive $18 million to $20 million from 1,700 North American theatres, making it the highest-grossing film over the August 22-24 weekend.
Musical Achievements and Awards Recognition
The soundtrack has proven equally dominant, with songs performed by the fictional bands conquering global music charts. The BBC reported that seven tracks from the movie have featured on the Billboard 100 in the United States. Notably, the hit song Golden made UK chart history as the joint-longest-running number one single by an animated act. This success earned Sonnenblick his first Oscar nomination in the Best Original Song category, while the film itself is nominated for Best Animated Feature Film. Sonnenblick also recently picked up a Golden Globe alongside singers Audrey Nuna, EJAE, and Rei Ami.
Sequel Development and Creative Vision
Sonnenblick confirmed that Netflix and Sony have finalised a deal, with plans to release the animated musical sequel in 2029. He emphasised that the sequel is now gearing up for its development phase, telling the BBC: 'There's going to be a whole development process before we get deep into writing the songs.' Regarding his continued involvement, he added: 'The music will follow from the story and that's if it makes sense for us all to be doing it again.'
Creator and co-director Maggie Kang has also addressed sequel speculation, expressing excitement about the possibility. The Korean-Canadian filmmaker told the BBC: 'There's definitely more we can do with these characters in this world,' though she noted nothing has been officially confirmed yet. She assured fans: 'Whatever it will be, it will be a story that deserves to be a sequel, and it will be something that we want to see.'
The original film follows three members of a superstar South Korean girl pop group who lead double lives as demon hunters, blending vibrant K-pop culture with action-packed animation. With its record-breaking success and now a sequel in the works, KPop Demon Hunters continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
