KPop Demon Hunters: Netflix’s New Flagship Franchise

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As a huge streaming fan, I have a feeling this weekend is going to shake things up on Netflix. It feels like we’re on the verge of a new big franchise emerging – something that could eventually take over from Stranger Things as their biggest hit. You know how sometimes a show gets really popular for a little while, like The Hunting Wives did? That’s great, but it doesn’t usually build into a whole universe of stories. Stranger Things and Squid Game, though, those were different – they became massive cultural moments, and I think Netflix is hoping for that same kind of impact again.

With the conclusion of Squid Game season 3 and the upcoming final season of Stranger Things, Netflix is facing a shift in its most popular content. While shows like Wednesday are still performing well, a gap will soon emerge. However, after this weekend, Netflix might be ready to introduce a new leading franchise and re-establish its position as a top streaming service.

KPop Demon Hunters‘ Return To Theaters Confirms It As Netflix’s New Crown Jewel

Netflix’s animated movie, KPop Demon Hunters, has quickly become a massive hit and could be the start of a major new franchise for the streaming service, potentially taking the place of popular shows like Stranger Things and Squid Game. It became Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time and stayed at number one on their top 10 list for at least nine weeks. Now, how Netflix follows up on KPop Demon Hunters will be key to establishing it as a long-term success.

I was so surprised when KPop Demon Hunters got a sing-along release in theaters back in August, and it was a hit! Because so many people loved it, they’re bringing KPop Demon Hunters: A Singalong Event back for Halloween weekend – October 31st through November 2nd. It’s pretty unusual for Netflix to put their stuff in cinemas, but it sounds like they’re also planning a theatrical release for the very last episode of Stranger Things season 5. That’s exciting!

The limited theatrical release of KPop Demon Hunters shows Netflix believes it’s a major hit, and a sign of its growing importance to the company. The movie has quickly become a sensation, and Netflix is already planning a sequel. They’re clearly confident in the franchise’s potential, and it could easily expand with multiple sequels and even spin-off series.

KPop Demon Hunters Is Dominating Halloween – And This Is Just The Beginning

Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters is proving to be more than just a hit show – it’s becoming a major cultural trend. Evidence of this can be seen in Halloween costume searches. USA Today reports that the show’s three main characters are among the most popular choices for kids, with Rumi being the number one costume overall.

This Halloween marks the beginning of what’s expected to be a major success for KPop Demon Hunters. While there aren’t any toys available yet, Netflix is partnering with Mattel and Hasbro to launch a line in 2026, and they’re likely to be very popular. This approach mirrors the strategy that made Star Wars a cultural phenomenon over 40 years ago.

As a total movie buff, I’m telling you, the toy line for KPop Demon Hunters is going to be huge. The film is already a hit with younger audiences, but those toys? They’ll cement its place in pop culture for years to come. I see kids growing up with Rumi, Zoey, and Mira the way my generation had Luke and Vader. And look how Star Wars stayed relevant – that’s exactly the kind of long-term impact these toys could have!

Netflix’s Stranger Things Replacement Is Now Obvious

Credit: Netflix

Between its broad release in theaters, huge popularity around Halloween, and planned merchandise, it’s become very clear that KPop Demon Hunters is positioned to be Netflix’s next big hit, similar to Stranger Things. While the two shows are different, KPop Demon Hunters is expected to become a major source of revenue and a symbol of Netflix’s influence on popular culture, just like Stranger Things is now.

As a huge movie and TV fan, I remember when Stranger Things absolutely dominated streaming – it was everywhere. They had deals with tons of brands, a massive amount of merchandise, and even teamed up with games like Fortnite. Now, I’m seeing KPop Demon Hunters do all the same things, and honestly, it feels like a pretty smart move. I wouldn’t be surprised if it works just as well for them.

Netflix’s Most Watched Originals (via Tudum)
Title Format Views (millions) Hours Watched
KPop Demon Hunters Movie 325.1 541,800,000
Red Notice Movie 230.9 454,200,000
Wednesday S1 Show 252.1 1,718,800,000
Squid Game S1 Show 265.2 2,205,200,000

Netflix has found its next big hit. While Stranger Things remains popular, KPop Demon Hunters is already attracting a wider, younger audience – including many children – as well as teens and adults. Plus, it’s proving to be more cost-effective to produce. KPop Demon Hunters had a budget of around $100 million, significantly less than the upcoming season 5 of Stranger Things, which is reportedly costing $50 million per episode.

While it’s hard to predict exactly what’s next, the future looks very promising for KPop Demon Hunters. After its limited theatrical release ends this weekend, it’s expected to become one of Netflix’s most popular titles. This could significantly change what’s trending on the platform, and it will be interesting to see how KPop Demon Hunters performs and impacts Netflix’s overall content popularity.

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2025-11-01 20:00