--- title: "KPop Demon Hunters: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/kpop-demon-hunters/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/kpop-demon-hunters" critics_score: 79 critics_reviews: 14 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # KPop Demon Hunters (2025): what the critics said Critics' score 79 from 14 reviews: 13 positive, 0 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics are won over, and the reviews are close to unanimous in tone. The praise clusters on the music, which several reviews credit with doing real story work rather than sitting on top of the plot, and on the animation, described as fast, bright and openly indebted to webtoons and the Spider-Verse films. The premise, a girl band who fight demons between shows, is judged sillier on paper than on screen, and the jokes about manufactured pop culture land for nearly everyone. A few reviews also find the story’s handling of shame and self-acceptance more substantial than expected. Reservations are mild and scattered. Empire finds the plotting predictable and the ending rushed; Collider wants more of the lore and character backstories; The Wrap thinks it charming but slight. The one clear dissent comes from Eye for Film, which calls the soundtrack overproduced and the film lightweight filler for viewers not yet ready for Korean animation proper. That view stands alone among fourteen reviews. ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 2 August 2025. The critic calls the Netflix animated musical a dazzlingly animated, infectiously soundtracked treat that is as fun as it was inevitable. They single out the earworm songs and fast, funny genre mash-up that outshines most theatrical animated releases. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix-1236335757/) ## IndieWire — Wilson Chapman Fi1m's normalised score 86/100 (inferred from the text). 11 July 2025. The critic describes the Netflix animated film as a total crowdpleaser whose catchy songs and lovable cast of characters have propelled it into a word-of-mouth hit. They single out the music and characters as key drivers of its success. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix-1235137829/) ## The New York Times — Brandon Yu Rating Critic's Pick. 19 June 2025. The critic finds a charming, funny, and artfully punchy original universe beyond the silly premise of the Netflix animated film. The action sequences are fluid and immersive, the art frequently striking, and the music a dynamic storytelling tool, with sly humor poking at manufactured pop culture. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/movies/kpop-demon-hunters-review.html) ## Evening Standard — Vicky Jessop Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 17 July 2025. The piece presents the film as a stealth smash hit and fun animated musical that sticks the landing. The critic singles out the bright peppy animation, strong script, central female friendship, and authentic K-pop soundtrack (with real earworms and Korean cultural elements) for praise. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-hit-kpop-b1238725.html) ## Radio Times — Jayne Nelson Rating 4/5. The critic praises this deliriously silly English-language animated musical about a K-pop girl band secretly fighting demons. They single out the dazzling animation style reminiscent of the Spider-Verse films with a Korean twist, along with the catchy music and universal jokes. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-3qkpdz/kpop-demon-hunters/) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 June 2025. The high-energy, high-concept supernatural action comedy endearingly imagines supernatural protectors working undercover as a girl band; it turns out more entertaining than expected, with a playful animation approach drawing from webtoons and manhwa, visually appealing violence, and a catchy soundtrack that makes the film sing. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/kpop-demon-hunters-review-1236437235/) ## Empire — Kelechi Ehenulo Fi1m's normalised score 79/100 (inferred from the text). 28 August 2025. The critic calls it a stunning musical treat and joy for all ages that deserves its global domination. They single out the hit-factory music and the heartfelt story about generational burdens of shame and embracing identity for praise, while noting some predictability and a rushed ending. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/kpop-demon-hunters/) ## The i Paper — Genevieve Roberts Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 25 September 2025. The article frames the film as a runaway hit with important messages beyond a mindless cartoon. The critic (and experts quoted) single out its exploration of shame, self-acceptance, and being loved for one's whole self for praise. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/every-parent-watch-k-pop-demon-hunters-children-3935872) ## The Ringer — Brian Phillips Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 11 March 2026. The critic argues the film is a cultural phenomenon fully deserving of its Best Animated Feature Oscar (and other awards) due to its fun, cool execution and deep grounding in Korean folklore and K-pop culture. They single out the delightful specific details, phenomenal musical numbers that advance story and character, and loving craftsmanship for praise. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2026/03/11/oscars/kpop-demon-hunters-best-animated-feature-deserved-golden) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Fi1m's normalised score 86/100 (inferred from the text). 13 August 2025. The critic praises the film as a captivating blend of animation and music that feels like a theatrical event rather than typical disposable Netflix fare. They single out the kinetic visuals, catchy soundtrack, and strong emotional grounding through the lead character’s story. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/kpop-demon-hunters-not-feel-like-netflix-movie-makes-it-great/) ## Digital Spy — David Opie Fi1m's normalised score 86/100 (inferred from the text). 26 August 2025. The piece highlights the film’s massive success and how its integrated K-pop soundtrack, cultural authenticity, and themes of friendship and self-acceptance helped it stand out. It singles out the music’s narrative role and the balance of specificity with universal appeal for praise. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a65869367/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-most-watched-movie/) ## Collider — Jeff Ewing Rating 8/10. 19 June 2025. The critic calls it a charming fantasy-action film with fun world-building, catchy songs, and strong performances that leans into its absurd premise effectively. They single out the gorgeous animation, well-choreographed action, and talented voice cast (especially Arden Cho as Rumi) for praise, while noting some lore and character backstories could be explored more deeply. [Read the review](https://collider.com/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 June 2025. The critic finds the animated Netflix film a fizzy, lighthearted and charming confection that relishes its flashy K-pop world and upbeat tunes, though it falls a bit short of the streamer's best animated features. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 13 December 2025. The critic views the film as inoffensive but uninteresting filler animation, a lightweight K-animation for those not ready for the real thing. They single out the soundtrack as tedious and overproduced, flattening character expression, while noting the knowing humour in its affectionate take on stereotypes. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/kpop-demon-hunters-2025-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/kpop-demon-hunters.md