Picture Credits: Criterion / Netflix
Netflix’s partnership with The Criterion Collection continues to bear fruit for physical media collectors. The Academy Award-winning animated sensation KPop Demon Hunters has officially been announced as the next Netflix Original to join the prestigious library.
For years now, Netflix has teamed up with The Criterion Collection to bring some of its most acclaimed original films to physical formats. KPop Demon Hunters will soon join the elite ranks of other Netflix heavy-hitters like Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma, and Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman.
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the 2025 hit took the world by storm and remains (for quite a long time, one would imagine) Netflix’s most-watched movie launch in its history.
For those who might need a refresher, the film follows the chart-topping girl group HUNTR/X—made up of members Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. While juggling the extreme pressures of stardom, the girls must also balance their secret duty: shielding their fans from supernatural forces. When their demon enemies take the form of a rival boy band, the trio has to overcome their self-doubts and use their music to protect humanity.
The film boasts a massive voice cast, featuring Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo as the speaking voices of HUNTR/X (with EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami providing their singing voices). The supporting cast includes heavyweights like Yunjin Kim, Ken Jeong, Lee Byung-hun, and Daniel Dae Kim.
KPop Demon Hunters Criterion Collection Release Details
Slated to release on November 3, 2026, the physical release will be designated as Spine #1333 in the Criterion library. Of course, we’ve known for some time that KPOP Demon Hunters would be part of the collection, given that Variety scooped the news back in February.
As always with Criterion, fans have multiple formats to choose from, and pre-orders are available now:
- 4K UHD + Blu-Ray (3 Discs): $39.96 (SRP: $49.95)
- Blu-Ray (2 Discs): $31.96 (SRP: $39.95)
- DVD (2 Discs): $23.96 (SRP: $29.95)
Naturally, Criterion isn’t just giving us a standard disc. The release is packed with a treasure trove of exclusive special features that animation fans and K-pop stans alike are going to love.
Here’s a breakdown of the director-approved special edition features coming to the release:
- New 4K digital master, approved by directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, featuring a Dolby Atmos soundtrack.
- One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and two Blu-rays with the film and special features.
- Full feature-length animatic, including a brand-new introduction by directors Kang and Appelhans.
- A new making-of documentary detailing the film’s production.
- Two video essays by acclaimed filmmakers Taylor Ramos & Tony Zhou (creators of the legendary YouTube series Every Frame a Painting).
- Official lyric videos so you can sing along with HUNTR/X.
- Original theatrical trailer.
- Collectible postcards featuring original concept illustrations by artists who worked on the film.
- An exclusive essay by film critic Karen Han.
- Stunning new cover art illustrated by character designer Ami Thompson.
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing and English descriptive audio.
This marks the 14th Netflix Original movie/documentary to hit the collection, with Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein as one of the other recent additions alongside Nouvelle Vague.
Will you be adding the KPop Demon Hunters Criterion edition to your shelf this November? Let us know in the comments below!
