KPop: Demon Hunters — Sony Gave Netflix Its Biggest Animated Hit Ever

When KPop: Demon Hunters became Netflix’s most-watched original title in history after its June 2025 release, the internet erupted with one burning question: did Sony Pictures make a colossal mistake by selling it to a streaming platform instead of releasing it in theatres? Sony Pictures Chairman Tom Rothman has a very clear answer — and it’s a confident, resounding no.

KPop: Demon Hunters — Film at a Glance

Why Sony Has “No Regrets” — 4 Reasons Explained

1. Theatres Would Have Killed It Rothman was blunt when asked whether the film would have succeeded in cinemas. His answer? No. He explained that the theatrical business model is brutal for original animated films without an existing franchise behind them — you either open big or die. KPop: Demon Hunters had no built-in brand recognition going in, which made a streaming release the smarter strategic play.

2. Netflix’s Model Lets Word-of-Mouth Breathe Unlike theatres where a film’s commercial window is often just a few weeks, Netflix allowed KPop: Demon Hunters to grow organically. Repeat viewing on the platform is free, which drove a gradual but enormous groundswell of fans recommending it to others. This word-of-mouth snowball effect is nearly impossible to replicate in a traditional theatrical run. As Rothman put it, the film was always going to be a slow burn — and Netflix gave it the space to become a cultural phenomenon. That’s essentially the streaming model working exactly as designed.

3. Sony Animation Is Now the Hottest Studio in Hollywood The cultural impact of the film has transformed Sony’s standing in the animation industry. Rothman proudly noted that the success turned Sony Pictures Animation into the most desirable destination for young, ambitious animators looking to break new creative ground — a priceless halo effect that no box office number could fully capture.

4. It Strengthened the Lucrative Netflix-Sony Partnership Sony’s job was to deliver Netflix a hit. They delivered one for the history books. That goodwill has reinforced a highly valuable Pay-1 streaming deal between the two companies, now renewed globally from 2027, which brings billions to Sony across its broader film slate including everything from Spider-Man to Zelda.

For more on the biggest streaming deals and Netflix originals shaping 2026 and beyond, check out our latest entertainment and streaming news at TechnoSports and our Netflix film coverage hub.

FAQs