The Long Wait for Huntr/x: KPop Demon Hunters 2 Eyes 2029 Release

Good news, Huntr/x fans! Your favorite demon-slaying K-pop idols are officially getting a sequel on Netflix. Bad news? You'll need to practice some serious patience.

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on KPop Demon Hunters 2

• KPop Demon Hunters 2 is targeting a 2029 release, about four years after the original film's debut.
• The original film's massive success led to a swift deal, but animation takes a notoriously long time to produce.
• Expect deeper dives into character backstories, more amazing music, and potentially a prequel short to keep you hyped until 2029.

Remember the summer of 2025? It was when a certain K-pop girl group burst onto Netflix, slaying demons with their music and capturing hearts worldwide. KPop Demon Hunters became an absolute sensation, inspiring fan art, countless cosplays, and embedding songs like "Golden" and "Your Idol" deep into our playlists. If you've been eagerly awaiting more Huntr/x adventures, get ready for some major news – and a test of your patience.

Yes, Kpop Demon Hunters 2 is officially happening! Netflix and Sony have finalized a deal for the highly anticipated animated musical sequel. The catch? You'll have to wait quite a while to see Rumi, Mira, and Zoey back on screen. The film is currently targeting a release sometime in 2029. That's a solid four years from when the original film dropped in June 2025.

Understanding the Extended Production Timeline for Animated Sequels

A four-year gap might sound like an eternity, especially for such a beloved and popular title. However, this extended timeline isn't as shocking as it seems when you look at the animation industry. Crafting a high-quality animated feature film is a meticulous, time-consuming process that involves hundreds of artists, writers, and technicians. Every frame, every character movement, and every detail needs careful attention to achieve the polished look fans expect.

Consider Sony's other powerhouse animated franchise, the Spider-Verse Movies. The gap between Into the Spider-Verse (December 2018) and Across the Spider-Verse (June 2023) was four years and five months. The third film, Beyond the Spider-Verse, still doesn't have a firm release date two years after its predecessor, showing just how much work goes into these visually stunning projects. Even the first KPop Demon Hunters film, which was announced in March 2021, took over four years to reach our screens by June 2025. Source: Forbes, "Very Bad News About The ‘KPop Demon Hunters 2’ Release Date On Netflix," November 6, 2025.

For Netflix and Sony, taking their time ensures that the sequel not only lives up to, but hopefully surpasses, the original's groundbreaking quality. They want to deliver a movie that truly captures everything that made the first one so well-received, rather than rushing out a sub-par follow-up.

The Phenomenal Success That Sparked a Swift Sequel Deal

Despite the long production runway, the decision to greenlight a sequel was anything but slow. KPop Demon Hunters quickly became Netflix's most-watched original film of all time, racking up over 400 million views and holding a spot in the streamer's global Top 10 for an astonishing 20 consecutive weeks. Source: IGN, "Don't Expect to See KPop Demon Hunters 2 Until 2029," November 7, 2025. It even outranked other Netflix giants like Squid Game season one, Wednesday, and Stranger Things in popularity. Source: IGN, "Don't Expect to See KPop Demon Hunters 2 Until 2029," November 7, 2025.

The film's impact wasn't just limited to streaming numbers. Its original songs, including "Golden," "Your Idol," and "Soda Pop," were mainstays on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and are even buzzing with potential Grammy nominations. Netflix, a company not typically known for theatrical releases, brought a special sing-along version of the film to theaters. This limited run was incredibly successful, topping the box office with roughly $18 million over two days in August, and later collecting an additional $5-6 million around Halloween. Source: Variety, "‘KPop Demon Hunters 2’ Aims for 2029 Release on Netflix," November 5, 2025. This success highlights the deep cultural impact and dedicated fanbase the movie has cultivated.

Behind the Scenes: A Rewarding Partnership and Financial Details

The deal for the sequel was hammered out between Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation, the studio behind the acclaimed film. Netflix, having covered the original film's entire $100 million budget, sweetened the deal for Sony with a significant bonus. According to a source close to the streamer, Netflix awarded Sony a $15 million bonus for the first film's astonishing success, bringing Sony's total payout for the original to $40 million, up from an initial $25 million. Source: The Hollywood Reporter, "‘KPop Demon Hunters 2’ Is Officially on the Way – But It Will Be A While," November 6, 2025.

This financial arrangement wasn't just a one-off payment. Sony also collects a margin of the production budget, as Netflix pays Sony-owned Imageworks (the same studio behind the Spider-Verse franchise) for their animation work. Additionally, Sony receives a portion of soundtrack sales and music publishing fees for certain songs. However, all merchandising rights for the franchise belong solely to Netflix, which has already announced plans for a significant merchandise push. Both Netflix and Sony have declined to comment on these specific financial terms, as both companies are known for their reticence on such matters.

Some industry watchers debated whether Sony should have held out for a full theatrical release for the original film, given its runaway success. However, others argued that the movie truly thrived by having the space and time to grow its audience on Netflix. Importantly, Sony couldn't have taken the film back even if they wanted to, as Netflix owned the distribution rights. Plus, recouping a $40 million profit from a $100 million production, before a global marketing campaign, would have been a tough theatrical challenge, where studio profit margins typically hover around 10-12 percent.

What Could the Future Hold for Huntr/x? Plot Speculation and Returning Talent

While the wait is long, the creative team is already buzzing with ideas. Co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans are reportedly in talks or have signed a deal to return for the sequel. Kang has previously expressed her excitement for a follow-up, noting that the first film, at 85 minutes, only scratched the surface of its potential.

"We've set up so much for potential backstory... Obviously, there's a lot of questions that are left unanswered and areas that are not explored. We had to do that because there's only so much movie you could tell in 85 minutes."

— Maggie Kang, Co-director of KPop Demon Hunters (Variety, July 2025)

The first movie left us with plenty of intriguing threads. Rumi's part-demon heritage, for instance, offers a rich avenue for exploration, especially concerning her mysterious father. The new Honmoon created by Huntr/x wasn't gold, suggesting that demons might once again find a way into the human world, potentially bringing back characters like Jinu and the big bad Gwi-Ma. We also got only brief glimpses of previous generations of demon hunters, a concept ripe for expansion.

Crucially, the sequel could finally delve into the backstories of Zoey and Mira, which were developed but ultimately cut from the first film to focus on Rumi's narrative. Imagine learning more about their pasts, their struggles, and how they joined Huntr/x! And, of course, a sequel means another stellar soundtrack, ready to produce more chart-topping hits.

Who Might Return to the Voice Booth for the Next Adventure?

While no official cast announcements have been made, it's a safe bet that the core voice talent will return to bring Huntr/x and their allies (and enemies) to life. We'd be genuinely surprised if Netflix changed any of the beloved voices or singing talent. Here’s who we’re potentially looking forward to hearing again:

• Arden Cho as Rumi (speaking) & EJAE as Rumi (singing)
• May Hong as Mira (speaking) & Audrey Nuna as Mira (singing)
• Ji-young Yoo as Zoey (speaking) & Rei Ami as Zoey (singing)
• Ken Jeong as Bobby (Huntr/x's manager)
• Yunjin Kim as Celine
• Ahn Hyo-seop as Jinu (speaking) & Andrew Choi as Jinu (singing)
• Lee Byung-hun as Gwi-Ma (the big bad)

Tidbits to Tide You Over: Prequels, Merchandise, and Parade Appearances

While 2029 feels far away, fans won't be left entirely in the dark. There's an animated short film titled DEBUT: A KPop Demon Hunters Story reportedly in the works. Though details are scarce, speculation suggests it could be a prequel, following Huntr/x during their early days in the K-pop scene. This would be a fantastic way to bridge the gap between films and give us a fresh dose of our favorite demon hunters. The creators have also firmly ruled out a live-action version, stating that the series is best suited to animation.

As an example of the film's pervasive influence, consider Rei Ami, the singing voice of Zoey. She recently dressed up as her character for Heidi Klum's 24th Annual Halloween Party. Despite embodying Zoey perfectly, complete with intricate costume details, Rei Ami candidly told E! News she was still "waiting for the call" regarding a sequel, truly highlighting how early in the production cycle these major deals are made, often before even the talent is fully informed. Source: E! News, "Watch: KPop Demon Hunters' Rei Ami Addresses Possibility of a Sequel (Exclusive)," October 31, 2025.

Before the sequel arrives, you can catch the Huntr/x voice actors (Audrey Nuna, EJAE, and Rei Ami) along with characters Derpy Tiger and Sussie the magpie at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27, airing at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones on NBC and Peacock. Source: The Oregonian/OregonLive, "Don’t Expect to See KPop Demon Hunters 2 Until 2029," November 25, 2025. And, of course, expect a deluge of official merchandise to hit stores, allowing you to show your Huntr/x pride while you wait!

Your Guide to Navigating the KPop Demon Hunters 2 Countdown

• Patience is Key: Mark your calendars for 2029, but understand that animation production can shift timelines.
• Revisit the Original: With its incredible music and compelling story, the first film is perfect for re-watches (and sing-alongs!).
• Keep an Eye Out for Prequels: The rumored DEBUT short could drop sooner and offer a welcome return to the Huntr/x universe.
• Embrace the Merch: Official merchandise is on its way, providing another way to celebrate the franchise.
• Stay Tuned: We'll keep you updated on any casting news, plot details, or early looks as they emerge.

Frequently Asked Questions About KPop Demon Hunters 2

When is KPop Demon Hunters 2 expected to be released?

KPop Demon Hunters 2 is currently targeting a release date sometime in 2029. This means fans can expect to wait about four years from the original film's June 2025 debut.

Will the original voice cast return for the sequel?

While no official casting announcements have been made yet, it's highly anticipated that the core voice and singing talent for characters like Rumi, Mira, Zoey, and Bobby will return for the sequel, given the first film's massive success and cultural impact.

What is "DEBUT: A KPop Demon Hunters Story"?

"DEBUT: A KPop Demon Hunters Story" is a rumored animated short film that is reportedly in the works. It's speculated to be a prequel, potentially exploring Huntr/x's early days in the K-pop scene, and could offer fans new content before the main sequel arrives.

Why does an animated sequel take so long to produce?

Animated films, especially those with high production values like KPop Demon Hunters, require extensive time. The process involves concept art, storyboarding, character design, voice recording, animation (which includes many complex stages), music composition, and post-production, often engaging hundreds of artists and specialists over several years.

Sources

• Forbes, "Very Bad News About The ‘KPop Demon Hunters 2’ Release Date On Netflix," Paul Tassi, November 6, 2025.
• Variety, "‘KPop Demon Hunters 2’ Aims for 2029 Release on Netflix," Rebecca Rubin, November 5, 2025.
• The Hollywood Reporter, "‘KPop Demon Hunters 2’ Is Officially on the Way – But It Will Be A While," Pamela McClintock, November 6, 2025.
• IGN, "Don't Expect to See KPop Demon Hunters 2 Until 2029," Rebekah Valentine, November 7, 2025.
• Polygon, "Don't Expect to See KPop Demon Hunters 2 Until 2029," [Author not specified], November 7, 2025.
• E! News, "Watch: KPop Demon Hunters' Rei Ami Addresses Possibility of a Sequel (Exclusive)," [Author not specified], October 31, 2025.
• The Oregonian/OregonLive, "Don’t Expect to See KPop Demon Hunters 2 Until 2029," Lizzy Acker, November 25, 2025.
• South China Morning Post, "Who created Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters? Meet Maggie Kang," Ishani Sarkar, November 7, 2025.
• The Wrap, "‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Sequel Eyes 2029 Release," Umberto Gonzalez, November 5, 2025.