Quick question: What was the most popular movie of 2025? If you take a look at the year’s box-office grosses, you might say Ne Zha 2 or A Minecraft Movie, but don’t be fooled. KPop Demon Hunters leaves Ne Zha and Minecraft in its glittery dust. As of January, KPop Demon Hunters has been viewed a staggering 540 million times, according to Netflix.
The surprise Netflix hit was more than a movie: It was a flat-out phenomenon. Its soundtrack landed four songs in Billboard’s top 10 simultaneously. “KPop Demon Hunters” was one of Google’s top trending searches of 2025, lagging only behind “Charlie Kirk.” The movie even dominated Halloween: The top five most-searched-for costumes in 2025 were all based on characters from KPop Demon Hunters.
But not all was golden. We heard from plenty of readers who felt the film was problematic. The movie is based in Korean mythology, after all, and some parents pointed out that it takes more than a trio of pop stars to truly fight demonic influences: It takes Jesus.
We totally get that. And yet, Plugged In still included KPop Demon Hunters in our own list of nominees for Best Movies for Teens. What gives?
Kennedy Unthank and I had a chance to do a deep dive into KPop Demon Hunters—the good, the bad and the surprisingly resonant messages it contains. And while we completely understand why some parents might be wary of the film, we explore why many Christians have embraced it, too.
So sit back, crack open a soda pop and listen to Kennedy and me dig into 2025’s biggest film. And once you’re done watching, let us know what you think below and on YouTube.
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