NEED TO KNOW
When can we expect more KPop Demon Hunters? According to the movie’s creators, fans have a while to wait.
“There’s so many ways we can take it, but honestly, we haven’t had any time to really think about anything,” writer-director Maggie Kang tells PEOPLE exclusively at the Jan. 6 New York Film Critics Circle Awards.
“Our creative brains are sitting on a couch,” adds Kang, 45 — possibly referencing how pop star characters Rumi, Mira and Zoey relax — “even though our bodies are here.”
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No official announcement has been made about a KPop Demon Hunters sequel, although in November 2025, Bloomberg reported that Netflix and Sony have finalized a deal to release one in 2029. Since the Sony-produced, Netflix-distributed animated musical premiered in June 2025, it’s become a cultural juggernaut, making inroads with its chart-topping songs as the most-watched Netflix animated movie ever.
As Kang points out, “It’s been a whirlwind,” with not much opportunity to plan a franchise. “It’s been amazing to see so many people around the world celebrate the movie and have it just connect with so many people.”
KPop Demon Hunters was being honored at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards in the Best Animated Film category, which Kang, co-director Chris Appelhans and producer Michelle Wong call “incredible.”
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“For it to be celebrated amongst the critics as well, amongst people who are pros at watching films, it’s really, really incredible,” says Kang.
“We tried to do some really different things in the film,” says Appelhans. “And they were hard and it was a little scary to put it out in the world. But the general audience reaction was amazing. It’s also really nice to hear from people who watch a lot of movies and understand the craft that they appreciate some of those hard things that we’re doing.”
Wong has nothing but praise for her two collaborators. “I’m really proud that especially Maggie and Chris really stuck to their guns, really dedicated themselves and committed themselves to making the movie that they wanted,” the producer says. “And I’m just hopeful that it gives a platform for other directors and other studios to embrace new material and new ideas because I believe that our industry needs that right now.”
KPop Demon Hunters recently won Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song — for Mark Sonnenblick, Ido, 24, Teddy Park and singer Ejae’s “Golden” — at both the 31st Critics Choice Awards and 83rd Golden Globes. Its soundtrack is nominated five times at the 68th Grammy Awards, to be held Feb. 1.
KPop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.
