Netflix's record-breaking 'KPop Demon Hunters' captivated audiences with a staggering 482 million views in 2025. This animated musical adventure, produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment and released on June 20, dominated the platform's engagement, surpassing even Adam Sandler's 'Happy Gilmore 2' in second place. The film's success is notable, considering its release in the second half of the year, and its ability to attract a wide audience. Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein', released in November, secured third place with 98 million views, while 'A House Of Dynamite' and 'The Thursday Murder Club' also impressed with their respective rankings and view counts. South Korea's 'The Great Flood' was the top non-English-language film, ranking tenth with 66.1 million views. Brazilian 'Caramelo' and Norwegian 'Troll 2' also made an impact, while Indonesian 'The Elixir' drew attention with its zombie theme. Netflix's Oscar hopefuls, including 'The Perfect Neighbor' and 'Train Dreams', further contributed to the platform's success. The second season of 'Wednesday' and 'Stranger Things' Season 5 were the most-viewed TV shows, with 'Wednesday' leading the way. Overall, subscribers watched an impressive 96 billion hours in the second half of 2025, a 2% increase from the previous year. But what inspired 'KPop Demon Hunters'? The article explores how pandemic-era BTS concerts and Korean folklore played a significant role in shaping this record-breaking success.
