‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters’ becomes Netflix’s most-watched film, earns Sony $15M bonus

Netflix reportedly pays Sony Pictures $15 million bonus for success of ‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters’

Netflix has reportedly paid a massive $15 million USD (approx. 21.9 billion KRW) bonus to Sony Pictures, the studio behind the hit animated film ‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters.’

According to The Hollywood Reporter on November 6, the payment was made as a reward for the film’s outstanding global performance on the streaming platform.

With the latest bonus, Sony Pictures’ total profit from the project has now reached $40 million USD (approx. 58.2 billion KRW). Previously, Sony received around $25 million USD (approx. 36.4 billion KRW) from Netflix, separate from the film’s production cost of $100 million USD (approx. 145.4 billion KRW).

Reports also revealed that Netflix and Sony Pictures have signed a deal for a sequel to ‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters,’ which is currently slated for release in 2029. According to Variety, “Both parties reached the agreement while considering the long production timeline typically required for the animation genre.”

K-Pop: Demon Hunters was originally planned as a theatrical release, but Sony Pictures sold the distribution rights to Netflix in 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic made a box-office debut uncertain.

Released globally on Netflix in June 2024, the film became a massive hit, surpassing 300 million views — the most-watched Netflix film of all time.

Its original soundtrack (OST) also achieved worldwide success. The featured song “Golden” topped both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. Official Singles Chart, becoming a global phenomenon.

“Golden” has since been nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year, and is considered a strong contender for Best Original Song at the upcoming Academy Awards in March 2025.