Full Breakdown
Netflix’s Oscar-Winning Animated Film “KPop Demon Hunters” Set for Criterion Collection Release
8/15/2026, 12:51:06 AM
Core Event: Criterion Library Adds the 2025 Hit
Netflix’s 2025 animated feature KPop Demon Hunters—directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans—has been announced for inclusion in The Criterion Collection. The physical edition is slated for release on November 3, 2026 and will be assigned Spine #1333 in the library.
Film Overview and Accolades
The movie follows the fictional K-pop trio HUNTR/X—members Rumi, Mira and Zoey—as they balance celebrity pressures with a secret mission to protect fans from demonic adversaries that appear as a rival boy band. The voice cast includes Arden Cho, May Hong and Ji-young Yoo, with singing contributions from EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami; supporting roles feature Yunjin Kim, Ken Jeong, Lee Byung-hun and Daniel Dae Kim. According to dreadcentral, the film earned two Academy Awards and became one of Netflix’s most-streamed releases.
Release Details and Special Features
The Criterion edition will be offered in three formats: a 4K UHD + Blu-Ray set priced at $39.96 (SRP $49.95), a Blu-Ray set at $31.96 (SRP $39.95), and a DVD set at $23.96 (SRP $29.95). The package includes a new 4K digital master approved by the directors, a Dolby Atmos soundtrack, and a 4K UHD disc presented in Dolby Vision HDR alongside two Blu-Ray discs containing the film and extensive extras. Bonus material comprises a full-length animatic with a fresh introduction by Kang and Appelhans, a making-of documentary, two video essays by filmmakers Taylor Ramos and Tony Zhou, official lyric videos, the original theatrical trailer, collectible postcards with concept art, an essay by critic Karen Han, and new cover art illustrated by character designer Ami Thompson. English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing and descriptive audio are also included (whats-on-netflix; dreadcentral).
Official Endorsements
Both directors have publicly approved the new 4K master and the accompanying special-feature lineup, emphasizing that the edition reflects their creative vision for the film’s home-media presentation (whats-on-netflix; dreadcentral).
Why It Matters for Collectors
This release marks the 14th Netflix Original to join the Criterion Collection, joining titles such as Guillermo del Toro’s *Pinocchio* and Alfonso Cuarón’s *Roma*. The addition expands the library’s representation of contemporary animated cinema and offers fans a premium, archival-quality format that combines high-resolution video, immersive audio, and extensive scholarly and fan-focused supplemental content.
