5 Movies You’ll Love If You’re A Kpop Demon Hunters Fan

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Originally intended for movie theaters, Sony Pictures Animation moved KPop Demon Hunters to Netflix due to concerns about its potential. The film quickly became a huge hit, racking up over 325 million views in its first three months and becoming the most-watched original movie on the platform. It surpassed popular films like Red Notice and Carry-On, proving there was a strong audience for its unique mix of K-pop and fantasy. The film’s success extended to its music, with the lead single “Golden” – performed by the fictional group HUNTR/X – reaching number one and winning a Grammy Award in 2026 for Best Song Written for Visual Media. This positive reception led Netflix to experiment with special sing-along screenings in theaters, which earned around $20 million during their limited run.

Netflix is making a sequel to KPop Demon Hunters and is also working on several spinoffs, but because well-made animation takes a long time, the next installment won’t likely arrive until 2028 or later. That means fans of Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) will have to wait years for the story to continue. Luckily, there are some excellent films that explore similar themes of idol life, supernatural danger, and the power of music in the meantime.

5) Monster High: Boo York, Boo York

Monster High: Boo York, Boo York is a fun story that blends the world of pop music with supernatural adventures, similar to tales about idols who also hunt demons. The story follows Catty Noir, a famous singer, as she goes to a magical city hoping to find her creative spark. There, she faces powerful, ancient forces, and, like the members of HUNTR/X, has to balance the demands of the music industry with extraordinary and dangerous situations.

This movie uses upbeat pop music to help develop its characters and often resolves conflicts through musical performances. Like the popular Netflix film it echoes, Monster High: Boo York, Boo York centers on a group of strong female characters who conquer obstacles by staying true to themselves. Viewers who enjoyed the stylish look of the Monster High universe will find this film fully immerses them in a world where fashion and music are essential for both survival and self-expression.

4) Kubo and the Two Strings

I just finished watching Kubo and the Two Strings, and it’s a really beautiful film that centers around the power of music. The main character, Kubo, is a young boy who can literally bring his paper creations to life through playing a magical shamisen – it’s not just about making pretty sounds, it’s a source of real power and connects him to his family history. It actually reminded me a lot of KPop Demon Hunters – both stories use performance, whether it’s music or choreography and singing, as a way to fight off evil spirits. It’s a fascinating parallel, treating artistic expression as a kind of magical defense.

Travis Knight’s Kubo and the Two Strings uses detailed stop-motion animation to make everything feel real and textured, even the simple act of playing a musical instrument. This focus on the physical feeling of sound highlights how skillfully music is performed in the film. The story suggests that art is a powerful way to overcome challenges and dangers that go beyond the physical world, portraying the musician as a key defender against these threats.

3) Turning Red

At its heart, Turning Red is a story about the challenges of being a teenager and the power of passionate fandom – making it especially relatable for anyone who loved the group dynamics in HUNTR/X. The film centers on Meilin Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang), a young girl who discovers a family curse: whenever she feels strong emotions, she transforms into a giant red panda.

Though Turning Red uses fantastical elements to represent the challenges of puberty, the film truly centers on the strong friendships that support Meilin. The girls’ shared love of a boy band realistically reflects today’s music scene, showing how a common passion can help them navigate expectations. The film’s vibrant, anime-inspired animation style effectively captures the energy of balancing family traditions with modern pop culture.

2) Nimona

Nimona offers a fresh, rebellious take on the fantasy genre, similar in style and spirit to the popular Netflix series. The film centers on Nimona (voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz), a shapeshifter who teams up with a knight named Ballister Boldheart (voiced by Riz Ahmed) to uncover widespread corruption. Its animation is visually striking, with smooth movements and vibrant colors, creating a unique techno-medieval world that’s as creative as the action in KPop Demon Hunters.

More than just a visually stunning film, Nimona delves into the emotional impact of being different and facing a world that fears what it doesn’t understand. The story champions the idea that connecting with others is stronger than simply being a hero, and it celebrates individuality and compassion. If you liked the unique character designs and fast-paced action of the HUNTR/X missions, Nimona offers a similarly imaginative and exciting experience.

1) Belle

As a critic, I found Belle to be a really thoughtful look at who we are online versus who we are in real life, especially in today’s world of virtual influencers. The film centers on Suzu, a shy high schooler who finds fame as the virtual singer Belle. What struck me is how similar this is to KPop Demon Hunters; both stories cleverly explore the pressure of keeping up appearances while secretly battling personal demons. It’s a compelling theme, and Belle handles it with a surprising amount of nuance.

Mamoru Hosoda, the director of Belle, uses contrasting visuals to show the difference between Suzu’s normal life and the vibrant online world she enters. This highlights the shift from the everyday struggles of young performers to their extraordinary roles within the story. The film also emphasizes music as a powerful way for characters to connect and express their feelings, similar to how the group HUNTR/X uses songs to overcome cultural and spiritual barriers. By focusing on a main character who gains strength through her online persona, Belle captures the same emotional depth and musical artistry that made the demon-hunting idols so popular.

If you enjoyed KPop Demon Hunters, what other movie would you suggest? Share your recommendations in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-18 22:14