Kpop Demon Hunters (2025)

IMDb plot summary: A world-renowned K-Pop girl group balance their lives in the spotlight with their secret identities as demon hunters.

Directed by Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang. Stars Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo.

Kpop Demon Hunters is an animated film about a mega-popular girl group who are secretly using the power of music to ward off demons. But one day, a rival boy band, made up of demons masquerading as humans, comes to challenge their spot... and one of them discovers some of their secrets. This was a huge hit this year, and I totally get why -- this is a good movie! Of course, the music is the biggest draw here, and it works. These are great, catchy songs (although the one nominated for the Oscar was by far the least interesting one in here). But there's a lot of entertaining fantasy metaphor going on in this story as well, and a great coming-of-age story. I do read and watch enough YA that I see a lot of similarities to other fantasy trauma metaphors in recent years, so it doesn't feel new enough to blow me away, but the music helps keep it fresh for sure. Overall simple but likeable, with some very fun music.

How it entered my Flickchart:

🎥 KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

📊 Ranked #1090/4198 on my Flickchart

🎯 Flickscore™: 74

beat Happythankyoumoreplease (#2098 → #2099)

lost to Steven Universe: The Movie (held at #1039)

beat The United States vs. Billie Holiday (#1564 → #1565)

beat Punch-Drunk Love (#1302 → #1303)

beat The Woodsman (#1169 → #1170)

beat Australia (#1104 → #1105)

lost to Point Break (held at #1071)

lost to Joyeux Noel (held at #1088)

beat Barbie (#1096 → #1097)

beat H.M.S. Defiant (#1092 → #1093)

beat Pariah (#1090 → #1091)