The massive cultural phenomenon K-Pop Demon Hunters is officially transitioning from the streaming queue to the collector’s shelf. Netflix’s breakout animated musical fantasy film will receive a premium physical media release from the prestigious home entertainment label, The Criterion Collection. Physical editions are scheduled to hit store shelves on December 31, 2026, and online retailers have already opened pre-orders.
According to current retail listings, the Criterion release will drop in two separate high-quality formats. Fans can purchase the standard Blu-ray edition for $39.95, while physical media collectors can pick up the premium 4K Ultra HD (UHD) edition for $49.95. While Criterion has officially locked in the winter release date, the boutique label has not yet announced the specific special features, director commentaries, or bonus content that will accompany the discs.
A Record-Breaking Run for Netflix and Sony Animation
This high-profile Criterion release caps off an incredible, award-winning run for the movie. K-Pop Demon Hunters originally debuted on Netflix last June as a joint production partnership with Sony Pictures Animation. Co-directed by filmmaking duo Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the narrative follows a trio of fierce global pop superstars named Rumi, Mira, and Zoey.
The Main Voice Cast:
• Rumi: Voiced by Arden Cho
• Mira: Voiced by May Hong
• Zoey: Voiced by Ji-young Yoo
The three pop stars maintain a chaotic double life. They effortlessly sell out massive athletic stadiums by day, but they secretly hunt down dangerous, bloodthirsty supernatural demons when they are off the stage.
The imaginative feature film eventually won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, generating immense commercial and critical momentum. Furthermore, it quickly became the most-streamed original movie of 2025, comfortably breaking viewership records across the platform.
Chart-Topping Soundtracks and Historic Toy Partnerships
Beyond its visual accomplishments, the film completely altered the landscape of the music industry. The film’s energetic soundtrack soared straight to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Meanwhile, its infectious lead single, “Golden,” locked down the No. 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The project made history by becoming the first cinematic soundtrack to place four separate songs inside the Billboard Hot 100 top ten simultaneously.
| Collaboration Partner | Product Type / Line | Rollout Timeline |
| Mattel & Hasbro | Co-Master Toy Licensees / Fashion Dolls | Spring 2026 |
| Mattel Games | Themed Uno Card Decks | Spring 2026 |
| Hasbro Gaming | Custom Monopoly Board Editions | Spring 2026 |
This widespread popularity triggered an intense wave of retail licensing deals. In an unprecedented corporate move, traditional industry rivals Mattel and Hasbro joined forces under a rare “co-master” global toy license structure. The collaborative merchandise lines began hitting retail stores this spring, introducing official fashion dolls alongside specialized variants of classic family board games like Uno and Monopoly.
Sequel Development and Criterion’s Streaming Partnerships
Because the original movie generated such massive financial returns, Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation quickly greenlit a direct sequel. Original directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans have already signed contracts to return to the director’s chairs to guide the next chapter of the franchise.
The addition of K-Pop Demon Hunters to the Criterion catalog highlights the boutique label’s growing relationship with major streaming platforms. Criterion has previously produced highly sought-after physical editions for other acclaimed Netflix originals, including Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. Collectors can secure their copy of this animated musical masterpiece by placing an early pre-order online before the December launch.