Prepare for more pop-star demon-slaying action, but hold onto your lightsticks for a while! The highly anticipated sequel to Netflix's record-breaking animated musical, KPop Demon Hunters, is officially on its way, though fans will have to wait until 2029 to see HUNTR/X reunited.

TL;DR: The Essentials You Need to Know

  • A sequel to KPop Demon Hunters is confirmed for a 2029 release on Netflix.
  • The original film was a massive hit, becoming Netflix's most-watched movie ever with over 325 million views and earning five Grammy nominations.
  • Netflix paid Sony a $15 million bonus for the first film's success, bringing Sony's total payout to $40 million.

Why HUNTR/X Fans Will Be Waiting a Bit Longer for the Sequel

Imagine the roar of a stadium crowd, the vibrant colors of a K-pop concert, only to learn the next big performance is still years away. That's the reality for fans of KPop Demon Hunters. Despite its monumental success since dropping in June 2025, the animated sequel is slated for a 2029 release. That's a solid four-year gap between installments.

This extended timeline might seem like a long time to wait for a movie, especially for younger fans, but it’s actually pretty standard for high-quality animated features. Projects like Sony's own Spider-Verse films often have similar gaps, with Into the Spider-Verse (2018) followed by Across the Spider-Verse (2023) — a four-year, five-month wait. Complex animation takes immense dedication, time, and a whole lot of talented artists to bring to life, ensuring the visual spectacle lives up to expectations.

The Jaw-Dropping Success of the Original KPop Demon Hunters Film

Let's talk about why everyone is so hyped for a sequel. KPop Demon Hunters wasn't just a hit; it was a phenomenon. The movie quickly became Netflix's most-watched film of all time, accumulating over 325 million views in its first 91 days alone. It also scored a stellar 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, proving it resonated with critics as much as with audiences.

Beyond streaming records, its impact spilled into the music world. The film earned five nominations at the 68th Grammy Awards, including 'Song of the Year' for its OST 'Golden,' 'Best Pop Duo/Group Performance,' and 'Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.' Three of its original songs—"Golden," "Your Idol," and "Soda Pop"—were mainstays on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, with one enjoying an eight-week unbroken run at number one. Source: [Evolve Media, "Singing Voices From KPop Demon Hunters Share ‘Global’ Sequel Ideas," November 9, 2025; IMDb, "KPop Demon Hunters", Release Date June 20, 2025; GripLabs Mingo AI, "'217 Billion Won in Cash'—Netflix Awards Huge Bonus Following KPop Demon Hunters' Blockbuster Success", November 6, 2025]

Netflix's $15 Million Bonus to Sony for the First Film's Massive Impact

The success was so significant that Netflix, which covered the entire $100 million production budget and initially paid Sony Pictures Animation $25 million for distribution rights, decided to give Sony an additional $15 million bonus. This boosted Sony's total payout for the first film to a staggering $40 million. This "mutually agreed upon olive branch," as one source called it, smoothed the path for quickly hammering out a deal for the sequel. Source: [The Hollywood Reporter, "The Background of the KPop Demon Hunters Sequel Deal: Netflix Pays Sony a $15 Million (approx. 21.9 billion won) Cash Bonus," November 6, 2025]

While Netflix holds the merchandising rights, Sony also benefits from a margin of the production budget paid to its animation company Imageworks (known for the Spider-Verse franchise) and collects a piece of soundtrack sales and music publishing fees for certain songs. The exact financial terms for Kpop Demon Hunters 2 haven't been disclosed, but it's safe to assume they include increased payouts and success metrics.

What the Voice Cast Hopes to See in KPop Demon Hunters 2

The talented voices behind HUNTR/X—EJAE (Rumi), Audrey Nuna (Mira), and Rei Ami (Zoey)—have already shared their dreams for the next chapter. EJAE expressed a desire to showcase more of Korea’s rich heritage, mentioning "more Korean traditional stuff, like traditional history, music, food."

Audrey Nuna wants to expand the story's global footprint, saying, "I want to see the girls in different cities. I want to see what they bring globally. Because I think this film has had such a global impact." Rei Ami is curious about the characters' origins or revisiting key figures, commenting, "I would love to see the origin story of how the girls got together. If it’s not a prequel, then I want Gwi-ma (Lee Byung-hun) back. Bring him back." She’s also eager to discover who the new antagonist will be.

Co-director Maggie Kang has also hinted at the wealth of material awaiting exploration. She noted to Variety that "We've set up so much for potential backstory," and that the first film left "a lot of questions that are left unanswered and areas that are not explored" due to its 85-minute runtime. Source: [Variety, "‘KPop Demon Hunters 2’ Aims for 2029 Release on Netflix", November 5, 2025]

Unraveling the Mysteries and Character Backstories

One of the biggest lingering questions from the first film revolves around Rumi's mysterious parentage. We learned she's half-demon, with her mother, Mi-yeong Ryu, being a legendary demon hunter. However, her demon father remains a complete enigma. While a fan theory suggested Gwi-ma might be Rumi's father, his lack of recognition towards her in the movie makes that seem unlikely.

Then there's the question of Mi-yeong herself. A Netflix press release once hinted she died in childbirth, but the film never explicitly confirmed this. If she's still alive, perhaps in a spiritual or demonic form, it could open up huge emotional stakes for Rumi and her mentor, Celine, in the sequel.

Netflix's Evolving Approach to Theatrical Releases

For years, Netflix has championed streaming-exclusive content, offering only minimal theatrical runs, usually just enough to qualify for awards season. But the undeniable success of films like KPop Demon Hunters might be forcing a shift.

The film had two hugely successful sing-along theatrical rereleases—one in August, topping the box office with roughly $18 million over two days, and another in October, collecting $5-6 million, all after being widely available on streaming for months. This demonstrated a clear appetite for a big-screen experience.

Some industry executives initially argued that Sony should have held out for a full theatrical release, predicting a potential billion-dollar box office. However, Netflix owned the distribution rights, making a full theatrical pivot impossible for the first film. Plus, recouping a $40 million profit from a $100 million production budget, plus marketing, would have been challenging theatrically, where profit margins typically hover around 10-12 percent. Source: [The Hollywood Reporter, "The Background of the KPop Demon Hunters Sequel Deal: Netflix Pays Sony a $15 Million (approx. 21.9 billion won) Cash Bonus," November 6, 2025]

Nonetheless, Netflix seems to be slowly changing its tune. Greta Gerwig reportedly demanded a theatrical run for her upcoming Narnia Movies, with Narnia: The Magician's Nephew set for a two-week IMAX release in November 2026. Even the finale of Stranger Things will play in theaters in December 2025. This suggests that by 2029, a substantial theatrical run for KPop Demon Hunters 2 might not be out of the question.

Example: Imagine a family after attending a KPop Demon Hunters sing-along, where their kids are completely captivated by the big screen. The parents overhear comments about a sequel and their children immediately ask if they can see it in the cinema too. Explaining a four-year wait for streaming, let alone a theatrical debut, becomes a real test of patience for everyone involved.

Current Ways to Celebrate HUNTR/X While You Wait

While the sequel feels light-years away, there are still ways to get your KPop Demon Hunters fix. The singing voices of HUNTR/X—Audrey Nuna, EJAE, and Rei Ami—will appear at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27, alongside characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie the magpie. You can catch the parade at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones on NBC and Peacock. Netflix has also released lyric videos for the film's popular songs and is planning a range of merchandise to keep the K-pop movement thriving.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About the KPop Demon Hunters Sequel

When is KPop Demon Hunters 2 expected to be released? The sequel is currently planned for a 2029 release on Netflix. Who are the main voice actors returning for the sequel? EJAE (Rumi), Audrey Nuna (Mira), and Rei Ami (Zoey) are expected to return, and they've already shared their hopes for the new story. Why is there such a long wait for the KPop Demon Hunters sequel? High-quality animated films require extensive production time, typically taking four or more years to complete, similar to other major animated franchises. Will KPop Demon Hunters 2 get a theatrical release? While the first film had successful limited sing-along theatrical runs, Netflix’s primary focus remains streaming. However, given their evolving strategy for other major titles like Narnia and Stranger Things, a more substantial theatrical release for the sequel in 2029 is a possibility, though not yet confirmed.

Sources

  • Evolve Media, "Singing Voices From KPop Demon Hunters Share ‘Global’ Sequel Ideas," November 9, 2025
  • The Hollywood Reporter, "The Background of the KPop Demon Hunters Sequel Deal: Netflix Pays Sony a $15 Million (approx. 21.9 billion won) Cash Bonus," November 6, 2025
  • Variety, "‘KPop Demon Hunters 2’ Aims for 2029 Release on Netflix", November 5, 2025
  • MovieWeb, "Netflix Needs to Change Its Theatrical Stance Before KPop Demon Hunters 2 in 2029", November 6, 2025
  • Life & Style, "Is a 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' Sequel Happening? What We Know So Far", November 6, 2025
  • Forbes, "Very Bad News About The ‘KPop Demon Hunters 2’ Release Date On Netflix", November 6, 2025
  • The Oregonian/OregonLive, "Don’t throw away that Rumi costume yet! ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ sequel announced, plus Macy’s parade appearance", November 6, 2025
  • GripLabs Mingo AI, "'217 Billion Won in Cash'—Netflix Awards Huge Bonus Following KPop Demon Hunters' Blockbuster Success", November 6, 2025
  • Celebrities.AsiaOne.com, "Who created Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters? Meet Maggie Kang", November 7, 2025