Unpacking the Victory of “K-Pop Demon Hunters” Over “Red Notice”

It’s a classic underdog story for the streaming age. “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” an animated musical, has achieved a stunning victory over “Red Notice,” a live-action film with a star-studded cast. The anime is now Netflix’s most-watched film by view count, marking a historic moment for global entertainment.
The film’s path to victory was paved with 236 million views from households across the world since June. This massive audience turnout eclipsed the record previously set by the action-comedy starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot, a feat that has sent ripples through the industry.
However, the competition remains close when viewed through a different lens. In total minutes watched, “K-Pop Demon Hunters” ranks third with 23 billion, while “Red Notice” leads with 27 billion. This is largely because “Red Notice” is a longer movie, meaning it had more potential watch time per view.
The anime’s victory is compounded by its incredible musical success, with four songs from its soundtrack cracking the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. The announcement of a sequel confirms that this is not just a one-time win but the start of a new powerhouse franchise.