The animated sensation 'KPop Demon Hunters' has officially been crowned the most-streamed movie of 2025, according to the latest reports. This Oscar-nominated hit, which is up for two Academy Awards, has shattered records by accumulating a staggering 20.5 billion minutes of viewing time in the United States alone.
Record-Breaking Streaming Numbers
Data from Nielsen reveals that the Netflix title, with a runtime of 99 minutes, has garnered an estimated 207 million full movie views. However, Netflix's own reports indicate that the film achieved a total viewership of 325.1 million views overall. This impressive performance has dethroned the previous record-holder, 'Red Notice', which held the top spot with 230.9 million views.
Unexpected Digital Success
Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, 'KPop Demon Hunters' managed to top the year-end streaming charts despite making its digital debut only in June 2025. Interestingly, the film received a theatrical release after it had already surged in popularity on the streaming platform, highlighting its unexpected digital dominance.
Demographic Appeal
Nielsen's data also sheds light on the film's audience composition. Nearly 48 percent of the viewership came from children aged between 2 and 11 years old. The animated feature follows a K-pop girl group that secretly battles demons and protects their fans through their songs and music, a premise that has clearly resonated with younger viewers.
Award-Winning Recognition
The film's popularity has been matched by critical acclaim. 'KPop Demon Hunters' has already won a Golden Globe for Best Animated Film and is now poised to compete at the upcoming Oscars, where it will face off against four other films in the same category.
Musical Achievements
Adding to its accolades, the film's hit track 'Golden' has been making waves on the music charts. The song, performed by Huntr/x (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami), has topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks and has received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. Furthermore, it is set to make history at the Grammy Awards with four major nominations, including:
- Song of the Year
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
- Best Song Written for Visual Media
- Best Remixed Recording
2025 Streaming Landscape
Nielsen published these latest streaming figures as part of its second annual ARTEY Awards, which honor the most-watched titles across various platforms. Other notable films on the list include:
- 'Moana 2' with 15 billion minutes viewed
- Adam Sandler’s 'Happy Gilmore 2', which nabbed 7.1 billion minutes
- 'Wicked', which scored 6.8 billion viewing minutes across two platforms
The success of 'KPop Demon Hunters' underscores the growing influence of animated features in the streaming era, blending global music trends with engaging storytelling to capture audiences worldwide.
