Will 'KPop Demon Hunters' Return for a Sequel? Everything We Know About the Franchise's Future

Fans are clamoring for a comeback from Netflix's breakout action-musical.

Zoey, Rumi, and Mira from the animated movie 'KPop Demon Hunters'
(Image credit: Netflix)

Whether you're a K-pop stan or just love some great animated action, everyone's loving KPop Demon Hunters. Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the Netflix/Sony Pictures Animation film brings Korean mythology to a modern-day setting, in a world where generations of Hunters have protected the mortal plane from the demon king Gwi-ma. Hunters and K-pop stars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey use their voices and the love of their fans to strengthen the barrier between Earth and the underworld, but when a demon boy band threatens to steal their fans, the trio become locked in a fan battle to save the world.

Since its premiere on June 20, 2025, KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix's 4th most-watched English-language movie, and its most-watched animated movie ever, staying put in the streamer's Global Top 10 list for six weeks straight. HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys have received co-signs from TWICE and BTS, begun charting on the Billboard charts, and even gained attention from the Academy Awards. And naturally, millions of fans worldwide are begging for a continuation of the hilarious and heartfelt story. Below, we're keeping track of any news of whether KPop Demon Hunters will return.

Three women pose while holding weapons, in the animated movie 'KPop Demon Hunters'

HUNTR/X members Zoey, Rumi, and Mira.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Has 'KPop Demon Hunters 2' been announced?

As of August, Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation have not revealed whether KPop Demon Hunters will return for a sequel. However, the streaming giant has spent the past few weeks capitalizing on the film's status as a word-of-mouth sensation, with plenty of social media posts and an ever-growing selection of merch.

Also, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos went on record praising the global phenomenon during a July 2025 earnings call, according to a new report from TheWrap. The mogul highlighted KPDH as "a phenomenal success out of the gate…And the fact that people are in love with this film and in love with the music from this film, that will keep it going for a long time. So we’re really thrilled. And now the next beat is, where does it go from here?"

A boy group, Saja Boys, from the animated movie 'KPop Demon Hunters.'

Saja Boys members Mystery, Abby, Jinu, Baby, and Romance.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Netflix is currently working on expanding KPop Demon Hunters into a franchise. As of TheWrap's July 31st report, the streamer was reportedly considering multiple options, including two(!) animated sequels, a live-action remake, a TV series, and a stage musical. A week later, after a fair share of fan criticism unfolded online, sources told The Hollywood Reporter that the live-action film was no longer being considered.

In the meantime, expect to see KPDH everywhere, from merch and partnerships dominating in-person stories to a huge awards campaign for the film ahead of the 2026 Oscars.

Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, from the animated movie 'KPop Demon Hunters.'

Rumi, Mira, and Zoey in their off-duty looks.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Though co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans have yet to sign on for any new projects, both have made it clear that they're interested in returning to the world of KPDH, and that the creative team already has thoughts on what could come next. When asked by Screenrant if she and Appelhans were thinking of sequel ideas, Kang answered, "Always."

"There are always side stories, and there are things we've thought of while making this one. There are a lot of questions that are answered, but not fully. I think there are a lot of pockets that we can explore," she told the outlet.

KPOP DEMON HUNTERS - (Right) Rumi (voice by ARDEN CHO). ©2025 Netflix

Rumi (right) with Derpy, the tiger, and Sussy, the three-eyed magpie.

(Image credit: Netflix)

When would 'KPop Demon Hunters 2' come out?

It's impossible to say at this point when a KPop Demon Hunters sequel could come out, especially without an official announcement. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter in August 2025, Kang said of the franchise's future, "I think it’s going to be part of our lives for a bit. I don’t see the fandom slowing down."

We can make a guess based on the original film's debut. Kang has said that she first began pitching KPDH seven years ago, and Variety first reported on its development in March 2021. Executive music producer Ian Eisendrath began working on the film in 2022. Depending on that timeline, more KPop Demon Hunters could arrive on our screens by 2028 (though fingers-crossed it could be fast-tracked).

Three women (Zoey, Rumi, and Mira) stand back-to-back as four demons jump toward them, in 'KPop Demon Hunters.'

Zoey, Rumi, and Mira prepare to fight demons.

(Image credit: Netflix)

What would 'KPop Demon Hunters 2' be about?

As fans have pointed out, the ending of KPop Demon Hunters leaves plenty of unanswered questions. The animated action-musical ends with Rumi, Mira, and Zoey defeating Gwi-ma and creating a new Honmoon, with all demons expelled from Seoul. Though the new barrier appears strong, it notably wasn't golden, the color that signaled that HUNTR/X had banished demons from the world once and for all. This itself leaves room for a possible sequel, if another demon breaks through and threatens the world.

Unfortunately for Saja Boys fans, there's little chance that the boy group would make a comeback. In the final fight, Mira and Zoey killed Abby and Mystery (and presumably Romance and Baby offscreen), while Jinu sacrificed himself and gave his soul to Rumi. Still, many fans have theorized that Jinu's spirit lives within Rumi's new sword, which would give the sequel a chance to bring him back and continue his romance with Rumi. (For what it's worth, Kang has been tight-lipped about Jinu's fate.)

A male demon (Jinu) wears a traditional Korean hat, in the animated movie 'KPop Demon Hunters.'

Jinu in demon mode.

(Image credit: Netflix)

In addition to the return of Jinu, plenty of fan theories have been dedicated to the characters's backstories, especially the love story between Rumi's Hunter mother and demon father. Speaking to Variety, director Maggie Kang revealed that she is interested in exploring their origins in a possible sequel, and not only Rumi's.

"We’ve set up so much for potential backstory. Obviously, there’s a lot of questions that are left unanswered and areas that are not explored, and we had to do that because there’s only so much movie you could tell in 85 minutes," she told the outlet. "This was Rumi’s story, and we have backstories for Zoey and Mira – ones that we actually put in the movie, but it just kind of rejected it. It just wasn’t the movie for those stories."

Culture Writer

Quinci LeGardye is a Culture Writer at Marie Claire. She currently lives in her hometown of Los Angeles after periods living in NYC and Albuquerque, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from The University of New Mexico. In 2021, she joined Marie Claire as a contributor, becoming a full-time writer for the brand in 2024. She contributes day-to-day-content covering television, movies, books, and pop culture in general. She has also written features, profiles, recaps, personal essays, and cultural criticism for outlets including Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Vulture, The A.V. Club, Catapult, and others. When she isn't writing or checking Twitter way too often, you can find her watching the latest K-drama, or giving a concert performance in her car.