Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation are hoping to have a sequel to their breakout animated hit KPop Demon Hunters ready for release in 2029.
According to Bloomberg, the two companies are well into the planning phase for the sequel, but it’s a relief to see that the film is being given the time it will certainly need if it stands any chance at matching the first film’s quality and impact. Animation takes a long time to do well, as does songwriting. If a sequel is going to match the alchemy of the first film, it will take hundreds of artists across multiple disciplines to get it right.
A decision to expand the franchise always seemed inevitable after the remarkable success of the original film, which premiered on Netflix in June and became the platform’s most-watched original release. As we reported previously, Netflix is mulling the idea of supplemental content – shorts or music videos – from the film’s K-pop groups to tide audiences over in the four years between now and the feature sequel’s release.
There are no rumors about where a second film may go narratively, although its filmmakers Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans have publicly stated that the first film opened many avenues for future storytelling. According to Matthew Belloni at Puck, Sony began negotiations with the two directors to return for a sequel back in August, at the peak of KPDH mania.
As is customary at Netflix, KPop Demon Hunters debuted straight to streaming. There was little marketing or fanfare ahead of the film’s arrival, but it quickly blew up and became the cultural phenomenon of the summer, at least until 6 7 showed up. The film was such a tremendous hit that Netflix broke with tradition and hosted sing-along screenings in cinemas back in August, where KPDH became the streamer’s first-ever number one film at the box office. No news yet on whether the sequel will get a theatrical release, but Netflix has seemed to soften on its long-standing anti-theatrical stance this year.