KPop Demon Hunters has been one of Netflix’s most successful movies of the year so far, dominating the streaming charts since its release. The film is also very critically acclaimed, with a 96% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes. One of the film’s positive reviews came from ScreenRant‘s Ben Gibbons, who gave the movie 9 out of 10 stars and noted that the movie “packs an emotional punch.”
The film is already in early talks to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. The popularity has also created a growing demand for a sequel to KPop Demon Hunters. Creator Arden Cho noted that there are “a lot of cool characters” worth exploring in the world, which could certainly indicate the need for follow-up material.
No sequel has been announced yet; however, it leaves audiences wanting more. KPop Demon Hunters creates a fairly unique viewing experience. And while it is hard to replicate that magic, here are several movies that KPop Demon Hunters viewers can watch as they wait for the next film.
7
Pitch Perfect
Directed By Jason Moore
Pitch Perfect
- Release Date
-
September 28, 2012
- Runtime
-
112 minutes
The K-pop world may be starkly different from a cappella, but Pitch Perfect is nonetheless a must-watch for those who enjoyed the musical side of the Netflix gem. While it later turned into a trilogy, the first Pitch Perfect movie remains the most essential viewing of the series.
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The Pitch Perfect trilogy features some great musical performances, from the famous “riff-off” mashups to original songs made for the movies.
This first movie chronicles the story of Anna Kendrick’s Beca as she navigates her first year at the fictional Barden University, where she is convinced to join her school’s all-women’s singing group, the Bardenbellas. Like KPop Demon Hunters, Pitch Perfect includes a wide array of characters, which can be relatable to audience members.
Even though the first movie is arguably the best, Pitch Perfect is also a good film to delve into because it is a musical franchise. While the songs are mashups and covers, thus not original, each movie features new music and can offer a different watching and listening experience for audiences.
6
Frozen
Directed By Chris Buck And Jennifer Lee
Frozen
8/10
- Release Date
-
November 27, 2013
- Runtime
-
102 minutes
For those interested in the animated musical as an art form, Frozen is essential viewing. Adapting the Hans Christian Andersen story “The Snow Queen,” the 2013 phenomenon introduced audiences to Elsa and Anna, two sisters living in the kingdom of Arendelle and trying to grapple with Elsa’s powers.
Frozen had a theatrical release, but like KPop Demon Hunters, it absolutely captivated audiences when it came out. The film made over $1.2 billion worldwide and spawned an even more successful sequel. Frozen III is currently in development, so audiences can have a continued franchise to look forward to.
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Elsa delivers some powerful lines over the course of the Frozen movies that show her growth, self-love and self-empowerment she develops over time.
The Disney film has another similarity with KPop Demon Hunters in that it also features strong female characters. In fact, Frozen notably marked a shift in how Disney princesses were typically portrayed on screen. As such, this is another empowering watch for kids and adults looking for female-driven stories.
5
Turning Red
Directed By Domee Shi
Turning Red
10/10
- Release Date
-
March 11, 2022
- Runtime
-
100 minutes
Turning Red was another straight-to-streaming title that hit Disney+ in 2022. Directed by Domee Shi, the Pixar movie follows a thirteen-year-old girl named Mei Lee who is struggling with family relationships and more as she goes through puberty. Turning Red got strong reviews and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Among the many themes in the emotionally rich KPop Demon Hunters is a coming-of-age narrative for several of its leads. Those who appreciate this aspect can really get into Turning Red, as the coming-of-age themes are among the most prominent elements of the film.
Those hypnotized by Saja Boys might also like Turning Red‘s fictional boy band, 4*Town. The film features several original songs sung by this fictional band, which were written by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell.
A final similarity between the two movies is their unique blend of fantasy elements with more grounded moments. Mei’s life is like that of a normal teenager, in many ways, except for the fact that over-excitement turns her into a giant red panda. Those wanting some liveliness should also check out Turning Red.
4
Nimona
Directed By Nick Bruno And Troy Quane
Nimona
9/10
- Release Date
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June 30, 2023
- Runtime
-
101 Minutes
Nimona is another Netflix original, computer-animated movie. The fantasy epic is about a knight in a world that is both medieval and futuristic, who is accused of a crime that he did not commit. Helping him get free is Nimona, a shapeshifting creature who this night has sworn to destroy.
While it did not have quite as strong reviews as KPop Demon Hunters, Nimona managed a 92% Tomatometer and was generally well-received. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and developed a devoted following.
Nimona bears similarities with KPop Demon Hunters in that it is also an adventurous story with strong fantastical elements. KPop Demon Hunters has a flashier style, but both are also well-thought-out computer-animated works, giving them a similar feel.
3
The Wild Robot
Directed By Chris Sanders
The Wild Robot
8/10
- Release Date
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September 27, 2024
- Runtime
-
101 Minutes
Unlike KPop Demon Hunters and some similar titles, The Wild Robot is not a musical. Instead, the DreamWorks movie adapts Peter Brown’s novel of the same name. The animated film tells the touching story of an AI robot named Roz who gets stranded on an island and ends up taking an orphaned baby goose under her care.
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The Wild Robot is one of the most beloved animated movies of the decade so far. When it comes time to make best-of lists of the last five years in animation, this film and KPop Demon Hunters are both likely to be in the cut. The animation style is different from KPop Demon Hunters but shares a sensibility towards including vivid color palettes.
Story-wise, lovers of the kind of emotion in KPop Demon Hunters will also find themselves attached to The Wild Robot. The DreamWorks film tells a moving story about bonding and familiar ties and contains some of the most memorable animal characters in years, making it not one to miss.
2
Coco
Directed By Lee Unkrich And Adrian Molina
Coco
8/10
- Release Date
-
October 27, 2017
- Runtime
-
105 minutes
Music is fundamental to Coco. While less inundated with songs than KPop Demon Hunters, the Pixar film centers around an aspiring musician named Miguel who finds himself entering the Land of the Dead to reconnect with his great-great-grandfather, who was a singer.
Coco‘s real and fantasy worlds are kept fairly distinct, but it blends music in with its fantasy. This film would be interesting for people to check out who want to hear a wider variety of musical styles, as the tunes in Coco are very different from those of KPop Demon Hunters.
Coco ended up winning Oscars for Best Original Song and Best Animated Feature. This achievement is something that KPop Demon Hunters could aspire to achieve come awards season this year.
1
Kubo And The Two Strings
Directed By Travis Knight
Kubo and the Two Strings is another refreshingly original animated film of the past decade. The film focuses on a young boy who has to find his father’s set of armor to fight against a vengeful spirit. The film features an all-star voice cast including Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fiennes, and Art Parkinson.
While they aren’t as explicitly and consistently called demons in Kubo, the titular protagonist also faces up against antagonistic spirits that fall into a demon-like classification. This crossover in plot point will certainly appeal to fans who liked this particular supernatural element of KPop Demon Hunters.
Kubo and the Two Strings also heavily features music in its narrative. Kubo’s strings of choice are on his shamisen, a traditional Japanese instrument. He is seen playing this throughout the film, giving it a musical feel that will be appreciated by KPop Demon Hunters audiences.
