Image Credit: Netflix
It’s not a secret kpop:demon hunter One of Netflix’s biggest success stories. Since its release in June 2025, the Sony Pictures Animation-produced film has broken records, racking up millions of views and becoming the streamer’s most-watched original title in history. Despite some mud-slinging just before Christmas about budget numbers, bonuses, etc., Sony Pictures executives have come out in unity in recent weeks and said that Netflix was the best home for the film.
Because Sony sold the film to Netflix in order to meet its budget and pay the premium – essentially giving up the highly lucrative, long-term franchise and merchandising rights – many industry pundits and fans have labeled the move a major financial misstep for Sony.
But according to Sony Pictures president Tom Rothman, and then most recently Sony Pictures Animation bosses Christine Belson and Damien de Froberville, they’re not losing any sleep over it.
during a A recent episode of The Town Podcast with Matt BelloniRothman was asked pointedly whether he regretted the deal. His answer? Absolutely not. That’s why Sony bosses believe handing over its biggest animated hit to Netflix was actually a strategic win.
The “parachute business” of theatres.
First and foremost, Rothman stated that the modern theatrical box office is a strictly unforgiving environment for original animated films without an established brand. He described the traditional theatrical release as a brutal test of immediate survival. Rothman explained, “The motion picture business that I’m in…it’s a parachute business, which means you open up or you die.” When Belloni asked if K-Pop: Demon Hunters would play successfully in traditional theaters, Rothman candidly replied, “No, I don’t.”
Word-of-Mouth Needs Time (And Free Rewatches)
As we cover its full run through the top 10, kpop demon hunter It took its time to catch fire and bucked the trajectory of most Netflix movies. Rothman explained that Netflix’s model allows viewers to discover films at their own pace, which is important for original stories. “What’s the great thing about it, and why it’s in the right place, especially for that particular thing that was word of mouth, is that it’s free to be revisited,” Rothman said. “Watching a movie again and again in theaters is not free.” This allowed fans to watch the film repeatedly and recommend it to friends, fostering a gradual growth curve that the small theatrical window does not easily allow.
For anyone who hasn’t seen that particular graph…
A giant halo effect for Sony Animation
Beyond viewership numbers, the film’s cultural impact has been a huge boon for Sony’s reputation in the animation industry. Rothman proudly stated that the success had changed his status among creators. He announced, “We are now, I’m very proud to say… the hottest animation shop in town.” “If you’re a young, good animator who wants to go grassroots and do new work and not do the same old, same old work, you’re closing the door on Sony Pictures Animation.”
Strengthening Netflix Partnership
Ultimately, Sony’s job in this specific deal was to deliver a hit to its streaming partner, and they delivered in a big way. By handing the crown jewel to Netflix, Sony kept its partner incredibly happy, which has benefits elsewhere. “Our job is to give them hits. That’s what we have to do,” Rothman said. “And I think they’re very happy because they’ve renewed a very good deal for us,” he said, referring to the highly lucrative pay-1 streaming window deal that has been in place in the US for the past few years and has been renewed globally through 2027, which brings in billions for the studio.
don’t look back
For Sony, the deal to give up theaters was worth the industry influence and guaranteed streaming payouts. While acknowledging that studio leadership requires tough calls, Rothman is perfectly content with this. He admitted, “Trust me, in my job, hindsight is 20-20, and I regret many of my decisions.” “Not that one.”
A sequel and other projects are expected kpop demon hunter in the coming years, although it has recently been noted that the reported 2029 release date may be a bit optimistic.
Will you be heading to the theaters to watch this? kpop demon hunter When did it first appear?