KPop Demon Hunters Is So Popular It Forces Netflix To Do Something It’s Avoiding

One of the many, many problems with streaming – especially Netflix – is the lack of merchandise for their many family projects. Aside from refusing (for the most part) to show their films in theaters for more than a week, Netflix has a terrible track record when it comes to capitalizing on the iconography of its library. This is especially true of their animated titles, which lack all kinds of merchandise, even family-friendly titles with characters designed to be made into toys and plush toys – tell me Zym from “The Dragon Prince” wouldn’t make a cool plush?

Now Netflix is ​​giving in, and it’s all thanks to everyone’s favorite fictional Korean girl group: HUNTR/X. Netflix and Mattel announced a partnership to “develop and market” “KPop Demon Hunters”-themed products, including dolls, collectibles, action figures, accessories, playsets and more, starting in spring 2026. It’s further proof of how Netflix was completely unprepared for the total global domination that “KPop Demon Hunters” could accomplish this summer, as the streamer has also finally caved and made peace with AMC. Theaters to re-release the animated musical in theaters in time for Halloween.

The demand for “KPop Demon Hunters” was one of the biggest surprises of 2025. The film became an overnight sensation, quickly topping all charts and breaking all viewership records on Netflix, in addition to topping the Billboard charts several times. According to a report from TheWrap from the summer of 2025, Netflix was caught off guard with only a few items in its official merchandise store, which quickly became one of the hottest sales this year, forcing it to play catch-up in the face of huge public demand.

“Netflix, Mattel and Hasbro are joining forces in this first-of-its-kind collaboration, meaning fans can finally get their hands on the best dolls, games and products they haven’t been asking for so subtly on every social platform known to mankind,” said Marian Lee, Chief Marketing Officer at Netflix.

Through this partnership, Hasbro will begin by releasing a “KPop Demon Hunters” themed “Monopoly” which will launch on January 1, 2026, but will be available for pre-order starting October 21, 2025. This is notable because this is not the first Netflix title to have its own “Monopoly” version, as “Stranger Things” also has one, as well as a lot of merchandise, which has brought in a lot of revenue. money to Netflix.

Likewise, other trendy Netflix titles like “Wednesday” and “Bridgerton” have obtained licensed merchandise in the past. What makes “KPop Demon Hunters” so interesting is how quickly Netflix decided to capitalize on the success of the film, an entirely original franchise – compared to “Wednesday.” Unfortunately, the streamer is unlikely to expand this approach to its other titles, which is a shame because it certainly has plenty of movies and TV shows that could be popular products.

They could even take inspiration from A24 and release simplistic and expensive premium products for collectors. Imagine if Netflix sold puppets like the ones used in the production of “Wendell & Wild” or the sequel to “Chicken Run,” and not just Funko POPs of every title they have? Or action figures for “Maya and the Three?” Maybe “KPop Demon Hunters” can open the door for more shows and movies to get a chance.