Nielsen’s latest report on U.S. streaming viewership during the week of September 15–21, 2025, highlights the top movies across four categories: Overall, Original, Acquired, and Movies. Among these, the Netflix animated musical fantasy film KPop Demon Hunters and the live-action Superman reboot directed by James Gunn secured notable positions. The primary question centers on which title attracted the most viewers, sparking comparisons between these two very different films.
KPop Demon Hunters Leads with Record Viewership Numbers
The Nielsen Streaming Top 10 Movies list for this week shows KPop Demon Hunters standing out with a remarkable 828 million minutes streamed. In contrast, the Superman reboot starring David Corenswet garnered 513 million minutes. This significant difference places KPop Demon Hunters at the top spot, surpassing the DC Universe (DCU) superhero film by a wide margin and underlining its massive popularity.
Full List of Top Movies and Their Viewing Figures
Examining the complete Top 10 Movies chart, KPop Demon Hunters heads the list with 828 million minutes on Netflix. Following closely, Liam Neeson’s action-thriller Ice Road: Vengeance attracted 728 million minutes, while Disney+’s animated sci-fi film Elio ranked third, receiving 550 million minutes. Notably, Netflix provides six out of the ten most-watched films, highlighting the platform’s dominance in the U.S. streaming market this week.
Animation’s Rising Impact Over Traditional Superhero Films
It’s uncommon for an animated movie to outperform a major live-action superhero release, but KPop Demon Hunters has achieved this, eclipsing James Gunn’s Superman reboot in Nielsen’s streaming rankings. This success demonstrates how animation, with a compelling narrative and a dedicated fanbase, can challenge and even surpass established blockbuster franchises.
About the Superman Reboot and Its Star-Studded Cast
The Superman reboot explores Clark Kent’s early life as a reporter balancing his Kryptonian powers with his upbringing in Smallville. The film stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent and features Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult in the role of Lex Luthor, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan portraying Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, and Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl. This ensemble cast brought new life to the iconic DCU characters in this fresh take.
The Concept Behind KPop Demon Hunters
KPop Demon Hunters follows elite K-pop stars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, who lead secret lives as demon hunters. By day, they charm audiences with energetic performances, while by night, they confront supernatural threats to protect their city and fans. This unique blend of high-energy music and fantasy battle sets the film apart from typical animated features.
What This Means for Streaming Trends and Future Releases
The triumph of KPop Demon Hunters over a high-profile superhero movie like James Gunn’s Superman reboot signals a shifting landscape in streaming preferences, where animation combined with inventive storytelling can captivate audiences as powerfully as traditional live-action blockbusters. This trend may encourage studios to explore more diverse content with strong fan engagement, potentially altering how future films are developed and marketed.
