Image Credit: Netflix/Sony Pictures Animation
Bad news for fans of the biggest movie in Netflix history: You might be waiting for it again for a very long time. Sony Pictures Animation has hinted that the sequel to K-pop: Demon Hunters probably won’t hit screens until after 2029.
There is no need to repeat the story in great detail as you probably know it by now. Launching in mid-2025, Kpop Demon Hunters had a modest debut on Netflix, and in fact, within the first 7-10 days, it really looked like a mediocre animated film, but then something happened. People were watching again and again and more people were boarding the train. Fast forward to 91 days, making the film Netflix’s biggest film in its history and by quite a distance. In fact, according to Netflix engagement reports, it had more viewership in 2025 than any movie between 2023 and 2025.
The film is currently sweeping the awards and Sony Pictures Animation is looking to launch its new theatrical film goatPresidents Christine Belson and Damien de Froberville sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss the future of their slate.
While he confirmed that the future of the franchise is bright, he also confirmed that the timeline is long.
No sequel before 2029?
The animation is extremely time-consuming, but fans were expecting a quick turnaround given the film’s massive success. However, when Christine Belson was asked about reports that suggested the sequel could be ready by 2029, she suggested that timeline might be optimistic, to put it mildly.
The 2029 data came as part of a Big Bloomberg article discussing the film’s success In November 2025, there was talk of Netflix’s inability to immediately capitalize Slow delivery of goods, which has now picked up pace. The article ended with the date 2029, stating:
“The biggest challenge – and the one with the highest potential reward – will be creating a good sequel. Animated films take years to make, and Netflix has just finalized its deal for a second film with the directors and Sony Corp., which originally developed Kpop Demon Hunters within its animation division. Fortunately, by the time a full-length sequel arrives in 2029, toy manufacturers and retailers will be ready.”
When The Hollywood Reporter suggested that a 2029 release date seemed “far-fetched”, Belson reportedly held a finger to his nose – a gesture indicating that the assumption was “on the nose”, or correct.
If 2029 is considered too ambitious, fans are probably considering a 2030 or 2031 release date, if not even later.
Why wait so long?
The primary reason for the delay is simple: the creative team has not yet started work on the sequel because they are too busy winning awards for the first film.
When asked if directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans were in a room at this time to prepare for the sequel, Belson was candid about the current state of production:
“A lot has happened in terms of the awards campaign. After all the noise, awards and big parties with big people – yes. It will be back to the two of them in a room.”
Essentially, pre-production can’t actually begin until the current awards season ends. Despite the long wait, SPA president Damien de Froberville made it clear that the sequel would be a top priority and would aim to match the quality leap seen between the Spider-Verse films.
“KPop will be the same thing [as Spider-Verse]. It’s just like Spider-Verse. The world is so rich – a world of monsters and pop stars [element]What happened to Jinu? There’s a lot of stuff we can expand on.”
The interview also shed light on why the film ended up on Netflix instead of theaters. Belson said he determined that the film was not initially “theatrically viable”, but turned out to be a “perfect storm” for the Netflix IP.
Interestingly, the film did not become an overnight success on the platform. De Froberville revealed that the 3-day and 10-day metrics were absolutely “fine”. It wasn’t until about the 14th day that Netflix executive Hannah Minghella called to say, “There’s something going on here.”
“It required time, which you don’t get in dramatics,” Belson said.
Kpop Demon Hunters – When they’re not selling out stadiums, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to save their fans from the ever-present supernatural threat. Together, they must face their greatest enemy yet – an irresistible rival boy group of demons in disguise. ©2025 Netflix
While this is bad news for the sequel film, you can bet that Netflix won’t be leaving this interim period completely blank. Last year there were rumors about an animated short (titled Debut: A Kpop Demon Hunter Story), although, as we reported at the time, it’s expected to be a student project done in conjunction with the main film. We don’t know if it will ever see the light of day or not. Especially since nothing has happened since Netflix has declined to comment. Similarly, late last year, a title called “Kpop Demon Hunters Bonus Content” appeared on Netflix, but it was later removed, and we have no additional information about what it was.
However, Netflix will find something. They’ve already given the singers of Hunter/X (EJ, Audrey Nuna and Ri Ami) primetime space for their NFL GameDay broadcast on Christmas, and we wouldn’t be surprised if we get an extended version of it at some point.
Are you disappointed that we may have been waiting for years? kpop demon hunter 2 On Netflix? Let us know in the comments.