KPop Demon Hunters became a global phenomenon after its release over a year ago in June 2025. The musical animation is Netflix's biggest original title to date and won the best animation Oscar this year.
But now the Huntr/x trio faces a human foe as fearsome as the movie's fictional Saja Boys. It turns out that the real-world music scene already had a group called Demon Hunter – an all-boy Christian metal band from Seattle that's been using the devil's music against him for over 25 years.
Far from welcoming Huntr/x as a helping hand in ridding the world of evil, the five-piece is suing Netflix and concert promoter AEG Presents. It alleges that the hit movie is confusing its own fans and causing the band an "existential crisis". Maybe Amazon's KPop Demon Hunters mockbuster isn't such a shocker after all.
Demon Hunter (the Christian metal band) is suing via its corporate entity and parent company Hyde Lane. It says Netflix's plan for a global KPop Demon Hunters tour now means there's "almost complete overlap" between their offerings (apart from the Oscar-winning animated movie, I guess).
The complaint argues that Netflix Studios and AEG Presents have caused "substantial confusion". Evidence for this includes an incident in which someone allegedly spent $500 on tickets for a Demon Hunter concert in New York, believing it to be a Kpop-themed treat for their kids. They later asked for a refund.
The band also says its management was contacted by a television producer who thought it was related tot the Kpop Demon Hunters, while it's also been tagged in social media posts about the movie.
Unlike the Buc-ee's logo lawsuit controversies, this is a rare case of a relative minnow suing a giant. Demon Hunter has 12 albums and 350,000 monthly listeners. The KPop Demon Hunters cast have 27 million monthly listeners and the movie's soundtrack has had multiple single hits. The movie has been watched over 648 million times.
“Despite having established the mark first and invested in the goodwill associated with it for decades, Hyde Lane… has effectively been forced to surrender control over its commercial identity simply because Defendants have greater resources and a larger marketplace footprint,” the company says in the lawsuit.
"The brand that Hyde Lane has carefully built over the course of the past quarter century now faces an existential crisis, thereby necessitating the filing of this action." it adds.
Hyde Lane has a trademark on 'Demon Hunter' for recorded music and merchandise since 2022 and has applied for a trademark covering live music. Netflix has trademarks pending for 'KPop Demon Hunters' covering merchandise.
Hyde Lane wants Netflix to be blocked from using the KPop Demon Hunters name in connection with recorded music, live performances or merchandise. It also seeks unspecified damages.
Notably, the complaint does not demand that Netflix stop using the name for movies or animation. That means the original movie and its sequel could still use the name if Demon Hunter wins the case, but Netflix may decide that doesn't make much commercial sense if it can't market merchandise or music under the same brand.
What's the solution? Maybe we could have 2026's most unexpected collab against the forces of evil. Or will KPop Demon Hunters have to change its name?
Netflix has said in a statement: “These allegations are without merit. Netflix has created an Academy Award winning global phenomenon with KPop Demon Hunters that has inspired fans around the world with its powerful music, storytelling, and characters. We look forward to vigorously defending this matter.”
