Criterion might have just announced what will quickly become one of its highest‑selling titles ever.
According to Variety, “KPop Demon Hunters,” the Netflix cultural phenomenon that just swept the Annie Awards and might very well win the Best Animated Oscar, is joining the — mostly — highbrow titles in the Criterion Collection.
Furthermore, Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” will also be officially released via Criterion — this seems to be the “extended” edition that del Toro has been hinting at for a few weeks now. I had previously reported about its expected Criterion release.
Since Netflix does not do physical releases, Criterion has truly picked up the slack for some of the streamer’s more arthouse originals such as Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” Alfonso Cuarón’s “Roma,” Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog,” and Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story.”
However, “KPop Demon Hunters”? That’s pure glossy entertainment. Whatever you think of the film, Netflix’s anime‑inspired musical actioner has become the most‑watched movie in streaming history (500M+ views) — a cultural phenomenon. The most popular film of 2025, and it barely had a theatrical rollout.
Most positively, I would say that the undoubtedly huge sales Criterion is about to achieve with this “K-Pop Demon Hunters” 4K release will help fund the restoration of future titles. This kind of commercial success could give Criterion even more freedom to tackle ambitious restorations, and release lesser-known gems unavailable to audiences. So, let’s all give a big thank you to KPop for saving cinema.
Sony Pictures Animation actually sold “KPop Demon Hunters” to Netflix in late 2024. The film had originally been developed and greenlit by them before they relinquished the rights. From its initial announcement to being picked up by the streamer, it took almost four years.
There’s no denying the cultural clout “KPop Demon Hunters” has gained. But how did this phenomenon happen? Some point to slick marketing and relentless word‑of‑mouth across platforms like TikTok and Twitter (X). Others say it’s the film’s blend of action, gloss, and camp that makes it irresistible to the mainstream. As with most runaway hits, the truth is likely a combination of both. Would it have been as popular if kept by Sony and given a theatrical release? That’s the million‑dollar question — and I doubt we’ll ever have an answer to that.