Netflix has officially confirmed that KPop Demon Hunters 2 is in development, bringing the record-breaking animated hit back for another chapter.

Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans are returning to helm the sequel, which will continue the story of the demon-slaying K-pop trio Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. The follow-up film will also mark the first project under a new multi-year animation partnership between the filmmakers and Netflix.

For fans of the original film, the message from the creators is clear. This story is far from over.

KPop Demon Hunters 2 Officially Announced

After months of speculation, Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation have confirmed that a sequel to KPop Demon Hunters is officially happening.

The announcement arrives alongside news that Kang and Appelhans have signed an exclusive multi-year deal with Netflix to write and direct new animated projects. The sequel will be the first title produced under that partnership.

Kang says the response to the original film made continuing the story an easy decision.

“I feel immense pride as a Korean filmmaker that the audience wants more from this Korean story and our Korean characters,” Kang said in a statement. “There’s so much more to this world we have built, and I’m excited to show you. This is only the beginning.”

Appelhans echoed that sentiment, explaining that the creative team is eager to explore the characters further.

“These characters are like family to us, their world has become our second home,” he said. “We’re excited to write their next chapter, challenge them, and watch them evolve.”

A Massive Global Hit For Netflix

Part of the reason a sequel was almost inevitable is the enormous success of the first film.

KPop Demon Hunters, produced with Sony Pictures Animation, debuted on Netflix in June 2025 and has since surpassed 500 million views, making it the most popular Netflix film of all time.

The movie follows fictional K-pop superstars HUNTR/X, who secretly defend their fans from supernatural threats while balancing global pop stardom. In the original story, the trio faced a rival boy band called Saja Boys, who turned out to be demons disguised as idols.

Beyond streaming success, the film’s soundtrack also made history. The fictional group HUNTR/X reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the song “Golden” became the first K-pop track to win a Grammy Award.

The film has also earned two Academy Award nominations, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.

Netflix And Sony Plan To Expand The Universe

Netflix leadership has been vocal about the franchise’s cultural impact.

Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria said the film sparked a worldwide fanbase that crossed languages and generations.

“With KPop Demon Hunters, Maggie and Chris didn’t just reach audiences, they ignited a global fandom,” Bajaria said, adding that Netflix is excited to expand the universe alongside Sony Pictures Animation.

Netflix Film chairman Dan Lin described the original movie as the kind of hit the platform aims to create.

“At Netflix, our goal is to make someone’s favorite movie,” Lin said. “They did that by making the most popular Netflix movie of all time.”

Sony Pictures Animation presidents Kristine Belson and Damien de Froberville also confirmed the studio is eager to continue the partnership, praising the filmmakers’ creative vision and the global response to the story.

When Could KPop Demon Hunters 2 Release?

While KPop Demon Hunters 2 is officially confirmed, Netflix has not announced a release date yet.

Industry reports suggest the sequel may not arrive until 2029 at the earliest, giving the creative team time to develop the next chapter of the story and maintain the scale fans expect from the franchise.

That long timeline may not surprise fans given how ambitious the original film was, blending music, animation, and fantasy storytelling in a way that helped it stand out globally.

For now, the original KPop Demon Hunters remains available to stream on Netflix, while its chart-topping soundtrack continues to circulate across music platforms.

If the sequel manages to capture even a fraction of the cultural impact of the first film, HUNTR/X’s comeback era could be one of the most anticipated animated releases of the decade.

The post KPop Demon Hunters 2 Confirmed By Netflix As Directors Return appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

A New Adventure Among the Stars

It’s-a me, Mario, and this time, he’s heading for the stars. Nintendo, Illumination, and Universal have unveiled the first trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the long-awaited sequel to 2023’s billion-dollar hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The trailer premiered during a special Nintendo Direct livestream, giving fans their first look at the Mushroom Kingdom crew’s next big journey across the cosmos.

In the trailer, we catch up with Mario and Luigi as they taunt a now-miniature Bowser, who’s still paying the price for gulping down a Mini Mushroom at the end of the first movie. But when a shower of shooting stars lights up the night sky, the heroes soon find themselves blasting off on a brand-new galactic quest with Princess Peach and Toad.

Familiar Faces, New Stars

The original voice cast makes a return, Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek. But this time, they’re joined by two big names: Brie Larson as the elegant yet fierce Princess Rosalina, and Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr.

Rosalina’s debut has fans buzzing, with Larson’s voice adding warmth and power to the beloved cosmic protector. In one scene, Rosalina takes down a massive spider-like robot using her magic wand, while Bowser Jr., armed with a magical paintbrush inspired by Super Mario Sunshine, proves to be a worthy new foe.

Image Credit: Nintendo / Illumination

Image Credit: Nintendo / Illumination

From the Wii to the Big Screen

Just like the 2007 Super Mario Galaxy game for the Nintendo Wii, the movie sees Mario and friends exploring stunning, imaginative planets, from a glittering water world to a desert filled with upside-down pyramids, reminiscent of Super Mario Odyssey. While full story details are still under wraps, the movie is expected to follow Mario’s quest to collect Power Stars and save Princess Peach from Bowser’s galactic fortress.

Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic return to lead the project, with Matthew Fogel once again writing the screenplay. Universal Pictures and Nintendo are co-financing and producing the film, alongside Nintendo’s legendary Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination founder Chris Meledandri.

Building on a Billion-Dollar Legacy

Released in April 2023, The Super Mario Bros. Movie became one of the biggest animated hits in history, earning over $1.36 billion worldwide and claiming the third spot among the highest-grossing animated films of all time. With that kind of momentum, expectations for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie are sky-high, literally.

Fans won’t have to wait too long to see the next chapter of Mario’s adventure. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie hits cinemas worldwide in April 2026, promising an interstellar mix of nostalgia, action, and heartfelt moments that only Nintendo’s most iconic hero can deliver.

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