While HUNTR/X might have united in person on Saturday Night Live, don’t expect to see a live-action KPop Demon Hunters anytime soon. The animated film is one of the biggest sensations of 2025, with it becoming the most-watched Netflix Original in history and its soundtrack going Platinum. The movie has been dubbed “Netflix’s Frozen,” and sequels are already in the works. Rumors originally circulated that Netflix was also planning a live-action remake, but that idea has been shut down.
In an interview with the BBC, KPop Demon Hunters co-director Maggie Kang was asked about the prospect of a live-action remake in the future. Kang, who came up with the story for Demon Hunters, doesn’t think it would work in live-action, as much of the film’s style and comedy can only be conveyed in animation. She points out the past history of bringing animated projects, specifically anime, and how often the characters become less expressive than in animation. Kang said:
“There’s so many elements of the tone and the comedy that are so suited for animation. It’s really hard to imagine these characters in a live-action world. It would feel too grounded. So totally it wouldn’t work for me. One of the great things about animation is that you make these composites of impossibly great attributes. Rumi can be this goofy comedian and then singing and doing a spinning back-kick a second later and then freefalling through the sky. The joy of animation is how far you can push and elevate what’s possible. I remember they adapted a lot of different animes and oftentimes, it just feels a little stilted.”
‘KPop: Demon Hunters’ Doesn’t Need a Live-Action Remake
When a report circulated that Netflix was considering a live-action KPop Demon Hunters, fans expressed disappointment. Many pointed out how the live-action remake trend often feels disrespectful and dismissive of animation as a medium. Though a rumor, it was certainly not outside the realm of possibility for Netflix, given they have done live-action remakes of beloved animated properties like One Piece, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Cowboy Bebop, all to varying degrees of success.
Disney has led the charge on live-action remakes of animated films for over a decade. While the box-office performance of Snow White led many to believe the trend had died down, Lilo & Stitch grossing $1 billion worldwide has only made Disney readjust its strategy to making more remakes of modern animated films. The studio will release a live-action Moana in July 2026, and has approached Scarlett Johansson to play Mother Gothel in a live-action remake of Tangled. Meanwhile, DreamWorks Animation has gotten in on the remake trend with How to Train Your Dragon, with a remake of the sequel flying into theaters in June 2027.
Even though KPop Demon Hunters might not get a live-action remake, Netflix has brought the fictional band to life through various musical guest appearances. Musicians EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, who provide the singing voices for HUNTR/X members Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, respectively, united to perform “Golden” on Saturday Night Live on October 4, 2025. With KPop Demon Hunters being a frontrunner for the Best Original Song Oscar this year, many expect the group to unite and perform at the 98th Academy Awards.
- Release Date
-
June 20, 2025
- Runtime
-
96 minutes
- Director
-
Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang
- Writers
-
Hannah McMechan, Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang, Danya Jimenez
- Producers
-
Aron Warner
