When KPop Demon Hunters made Netflix history as its most-watched original title, a longing among fans only intensified: what would it be like to watch KPop Demon Hunters in theaters? Netflix responded by giving fans exactly what they wanted with a limited theatrical release on Aug. 23 and 24, 2025. It ran for only two days, but it did so well that Netflix later re-released the film in theaters from Oct. 30 through Nov. 2.
It was a risky move for Netflix, but KPop Demon Hunters‘ success in theaters clearly exceeded expectations, and it appears it could also have an impact on Netflix’s policy in the future. On Sept. 30, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed at Bloomberg Screentime in Los Angeles that KPop Demon Hunters 2 will have a very different release than the original.
“When the KPop Demon Hunters sequel comes, you can expect a very broad theatrical release,” Sarandos said.
Netflix is making big changes to its movie release strategy
This is a major shake-up for Netflix, best known for releasing TV shows and films to be watched from the comfort of people’s homes. However, KPop Demon Hunters 2 won’t be the first Netflix movie to get a full 45-day run on the silver screen; that honor goes to the Spanish film La Bola Negra. Greta Gerwig’s Narnia will also appear in theaters, along with the exciting animated adaptation of Charlie vs. The Chocolate Factory.
Meanwhile, The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth, written by Quentin Tarantino, directed by David Fincher, and starring Brad Pitt, will be the first Netflix to get an IMAX release, coming this November.
It’s undeniable that the love for the animated film that follows a K-pop girl group by day and demon hunters by night has stoked a fire within Netflix. Despite debuting on Netflix first, its theatrical release grossed between $18 to $20 million across 1,700 North American theaters — a huge win for the streamer.
For Sarandos, the message is clear: people want to watch Netflix originals in theaters, and he is more than willing to deliver. That said, there is also caution: it’s important to attract viewers, but there is a fine balance between doing that and ensuring theatrical plans don’t get too overzealous and harm Netflix in the long run.
“What we’re doing is looking at this model and saying, ‘Okay, how do we serve movie lovers who may want to see this movie in a theater,’ and ‘How do we not harm value to Netflix?’” Sarandos said. “How do we position the film best in the world?”
Ultimately, it all comes down to passionate audiences and giving them options beyond watching at home.
“The most passionate audience went to see it in the theater, so by the time it comes to Netflix, you’ve lost that passionate audience, and you got the people that go, ‘Oh, I meant to see that,’ or ‘I’ll get around to that,’” Sarandos said.
In choosing which Netflix originals could do well as theater releases, Sarandos must decide which are best suited for theatrical release, balancing niche, art-house films against broader-appeal titles like KPop Demon Hunters 2, with the original speaking to a wide range of demographics.
It’s hard to imagine Netflix’s theatrical strategy for mass-market franchises like KPop Demon Hunters 2 will fail. However, there is an undeniably fine balance between doing well on streaming and on the silver screen. Whether it will pay off for Netflix remains to be seen.