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Netflix is learning its lesson after the success of KPop Demon Hunters in 2025. The animated film, co-directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, is the most-watched
film on the streaming service with 325.1 million views in its first 90 days. Additionally, two months after its release on the streamer, it was released in theatres as a singalong version for one weekend. It grossed more than $19 million for those two days. Recently, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos confirmed that the sequel would have a proper theatrical release before releasing on the streamer.
KPop Demon Hunters 2 to have a theatrical release in 2029
At Bloomberg’s Screentime panel on September 30, Sarandos shared that the highly anticipated animated sequel will be heading to theatres in 2029. He stated, "We’re going to do a big wide release for Narnia next year, and then we’ll do a big wide release for Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory at the end of the year. We think they’ll do great, and when the KPop Demon Hunters sequel comes, you can expect a very broad theatrical release."
The streaming service has changed its no-theatre approach in the last few years. Earlier this year, it had bid to buy Warner Bros. before dropping out of the race; Paramount is now taking over the old Hollywood studio. This year, a few of its titles have had limited releases, but that will change next year when Netflix plans a longer theatrical release for its big titles.
Netflix's upcoming theatrical slate
In 2026, Netflix is planning to release four films. The Spanish film La Bola Negra, which won the award for Best Director at Cannes, will release on October 16, while Peter Berg’s war film Mosquito Bowl will be out on October 30. David Fincher’s sequel The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth will release on November 25, while Danny Boyle’s Ink ends the year on December 11. Next year, the streamer has lined up two family films with Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew on February 12, 2027, and the animated original by their in-house studio, Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory, on November 5, 2027.
More about KPop Demon Hunters 2
The animated film will see the return of Kang and Appelhans, who will return to direct and write the sequel. Due to the scope and time of the sequel, it will release in 2029. Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation are co-producing the second film. Like the first film, KPop Demon Hunters 2 will follow the HUNTR/X in "their next chapter" as they evolve and face new challenges.
