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KPop Demon Hunters is finally getting a physical release.
Almost a year after it first debuted on Netflix, the hit animated musical is set for a Criterion Collection release on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD. This marks the first time the film has been available for viewing outside of streaming, save for a brief theatrical run last summer and a second run of a “sing-along” version last fall.
NEW RELEASE
KPop Demon Hunters (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]
Amazon is showing a release date of Dec. 31 for the KPop Demon Hunters Criterion Collection disc, though it may just be a placeholder (the cover art seen at right is also not finalized). The release date has moved a few times according to the Amazon listing, and it’s likely Sony Pictures will want to have the Blu-ray and DVD out before the holidays for gifting season.
Not much is known about the upcoming physical release, though Criterion Collection editions usually include bonus content and some sort of upscaled audio and visual presentation. To wit: the Amazon listing includes a 4K version of the film on Blu-ray. And the writers of the film have teased a number of deleted scenes, including a sub-plot modeled on the “Idol Star Athletics Championships,” a competition event in Korea that features K-pop idols competing in sports and team challenges.
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Past Criterion Collection editions, like the recently released Monty Python’s Life of Brian, have included everything from audio commentary from the cast and crew, to a “making of” documentary, and animated stills. As the distribution company states on its website, Criterion is dedicated to promoting a film “as its maker would want it seen, in state-of-the-art restorations” and with “special features designed to encourage repeated watching and deepen the viewer’s appreciation of the art of film.”
ALSO AVAILABLE
KPop Demon Hunters (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]
Pre-order KPop Demon Hunters on Blu-ray, DVD or 4K Ultra HD now on Amazon.com. Amazon’s pre-order price guarantee ensures that you’ll only be charged whatever the lowest price is between the time you order the film and the day it’s officially released.
Worth noting: Netflix films almost never get a physical release, let alone a Criterion Collection edition, so this is a big deal for fans and collectors alike. Already the most-viewed original title in Netflix history, KPop Demon Hunters, also took home two Oscars, for Best Animated Feature, and Best Original Song for the hit single, “Golden.”
For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard’s roundup of the best KPop Demon Hunters merch, and shop the official trading cards release here.
About the Author
Tim Chan is the VP of Commerce at Penske Media, overseeing fashion, tech, lifestyle and streaming coverage across marquee brands like Rolling Stone, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and WWD, among others. Previously, Chan was the first-ever Lifestyle Editor at Rolling Stone, covering all things fashion, culture and travel through an entertainment lens. In addition to PMC, his bylines over the years have appeared in L’Uomo Vogue, Vogue Italia, Vogue Korea, i-D and more. Chan has also consulted for a number of fashion brands, advising them on media and marketing strategy. He graduated from Columbia University with a master’s degree in journalism. A big K-pop fan, Chan has interviewed groups like Monsta X, EXO and Enhypen and recently hosted a keynote chat with KPop Demon Hunters creator Maggie Kang at the Departure Festival in Toronto.
