The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is no stranger to big movie premieres, star-studded red carpets, and late-night afterparties. But in 2025, one of the most unforgettable events didn’t even involve a film screening. Instead, it was Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters karaoke party in Toronto that stole the show, turning a quiet September evening into a full-blown celebration of music, fandom, and animated cinema.
A Party That Felt Like a Concert
The event was part afterparty, part live concert. Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans were joined on stage by the movie’s rising stars: Audrey Nuna (voice of Mira), Rei Ami (Zoey), and Kevin Woo (Mystery Saja). Together, they treated fans and festival guests to live performances of the film’s biggest tracks, including “Golden” and “Soda Pop”.
Audience members sang along, cheered, and even danced in sync, proving that the energy of KPop Demon Hunters had traveled far beyond streaming platforms. For many, it was the closest thing to a K-pop concert, with all the vibrancy of the genre infused into a single night.
From Streaming Hit to Global Phenomenon
The timing of the karaoke party couldn’t have been better. By September 2025, KPop Demon Hunters had become Netflix’s most-watched film of all time, crossing 236 million views worldwide. The movie wasn’t just another animated release—it was a cultural moment that combined the popularity of K-pop with a supernatural, action-packed storyline.
Netflix doubled down on the hype by hosting a limited two-day sing-along release in over 1,700 theaters across the U.S. and Canada in August. Fans gathered in cinemas to belt out lyrics alongside their favorite characters, making the film feel more like a shared cultural experience than just a streaming hit.
This bold strategy helped solidify the movie’s place in entertainment history and set the stage for Netflix to build a sprawling franchise around it.
Novak Djokovic’s “Soda Pop” Dance and Pop Culture Crossovers
The karaoke event in Toronto was only the latest proof of the movie’s massive cultural impact. Just weeks earlier, at the U.S. Open, tennis legend Novak Djokovic surprised fans by breaking into the now-iconic “Soda Pop” dance after a major win.
He later revealed that his daughter was obsessed with the movie’s soundtrack and had taught him the dance. The moment quickly went viral, and directors Kang and Appelhans called it “surreal” to see their work cross into the world of international sports.
This is the type of cultural crossover that cements a movie’s status beyond its screen—much like Frozen or Minions before it.
Expanding Into a Franchise
Netflix knows it has struck gold. Following the movie’s record-breaking success, the company has announced ambitious expansion plans:
- A sequel film is already in early development.
- A spinoff TV series is in the works, exploring side characters and new adventures.
- A Broadway-style stage musical has been teased, bringing the high-energy songs into live theaters worldwide.
Sony Pictures Animation, which collaborated with Netflix on the film, has confirmed that KPop Demon Hunters will grow into a multi-platform franchise, blending music, animation, and live experiences.
Why the Toronto Karaoke Party Mattered
While the film had already achieved global streaming success, the Netflix KPop Demon Hunters karaoke party in Toronto marked an important milestone: it showed that the movie’s fandom was not just digital but real, physical, and passionate.
Fans in attendance described the evening as “pure joy” and “like being part of the movie.” For Netflix, the event was a way of building community—bridging the gap between the screen and the audience.
By tapping into the karaoke culture that inspired much of the film’s energy, the event captured the very essence of what made the movie such a hit in the first place: music that brings people together.
Final Take: More Than a Party, A Movement
Toronto’s karaoke celebration proved that KPop Demon Hunters is no ordinary animated film—it’s a global movement. With its infectious soundtrack, strong representation of Korean pop culture, and universal themes of friendship and courage, the film has become a cultural bridge between East and West.
As Netflix expands the brand, fans can expect more concerts, live events, and interactive experiences that make the movie’s world feel alive. For now, though, Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters karaoke party in Toronto stands as a moment where fandom, music, and cinema collided—and reminded us all how powerful storytelling can be when it’s wrapped in a killer beat.
