Did you like ‘K-pop Warriors’? See 5 films from the same animation studio

Do you know where the animated film that has become the newest pop culture phenomenon is from? “K-pop Warriors” is a co-production between the streaming platform Netflix, responsible for distributing the title, and Sony Pictures Animation, the animation studio that created the huge success.

In the plot, which is directed by Maggie Kang e Chris Appelhans (Din and the Genius Dragon), Rumi, Mira and Zoey are introduced, k-pop idols who hide a double life: off stage, they are powerful demon hunters, and need to face different threats to keep their fans safe.

It is worth mentioning that Sony, which also has a distribution structure, sold the rights to the film to Netflix in 2021, when the world was still facing COVID-19 and cinemas were still closed due to the pandemic. Therefore, at the time, the deal seemed good for both parties, as reported by the Omelete portal.

“It was during the pandemic, it’s K-pop themed, it was a very specific film, Netflix paid the full cost plus a profit premium for us. At the time it made sense, but looking back you think maybe it could have been released in theaters,” said Ravi Ahuja, CEO of Sony Pictures at the Bank of America conference last month.

The result? “K-pop Warriors” became the most viewed content in the entire Netflix catalog! Still, Sony is responsible for several other incredible animations that were released in theaters and can now be seen from the comfort of your sofa; meet 5 of them:

1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

The first film in the Spider-Verse franchise, “Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse” was released in 2019 and became a landmark in the film industry due to the unique animation style that took the appearance of comics to the big screen, becoming a reference for animated releases that came later.

Winner of the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, the plot follows Miles Morales, a young black man from Brooklyn, who becomes Spider-Man and discovers that there are more versions of heroes like him spread across the multiverse.

The story has a sequel: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2023), also nominated for an Oscar, and a third film in development, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”, scheduled to be released on June 18, 2027.

Where to watch: Prime Video

2. It’s Making Waves

“A surfing penguin who leaves his family to participate in a surfing championship” is the premise of “Tá Dando Onda”, a 2007 film directed by two well-known names among animation fans:

• Ash Brannon: codiretor de “Toy Story 2”
• Chris Buck: director of “Tarzan”

Also a franchise, “Tá Dando Onda” received a second film in 2016 to follow new challenges at sea faced by the trio of Cody, Lani and João Frango.

Where to watch: HBO Max

3. The Monster House

Joining the select list of horror films aimed at children, “The Monster House” debuted in 2006. During an hour and a half of plot, three teenagers come together to destroy their neighbor’s strange house, as they discover that the residence is, in fact, a strange creature that devours humans.

Still without a sequel, the director Gil Kenan left the doors open for opportunities in the future by saying “Never say never”, during an interview with ComicBook in 2024. Despite this, he revealed on the same occasion that he has no plans to continue the story by highlighting that the first film “had such a complete story”.

Where to watch: HBO Max

4. The Beast Will Catch

What happens when a grizzly bear crosses paths with a deer? If you answered friendship, you’re right! In “O Bicho Vai Pegar” (2006), Boog is the pet of forest ranger Beth, who has her peaceful life turned upside down after saving Elliot, a one-horned deer, from a hunter, as the duo ends up sent to the forest where they need to come together to survive.

The plot gained sequels in 2008, 2010 and 2015, where new adventures of the unlikely duo are explored amid the dangers of the animal and human worlds.

Where to watch: HBO Max

5. Hotel Transylvania

Mixing supernatural creatures and humans, in “Hotel Transylvania” (2012), Dracula celebrates the birthday of his daughter, Mavis, in his hotel for monsters, but the arrival of a boy named Jonathan ends up making him a nervous wreck, even more so when he discovers that the gatecrasher is in love with Mavis.

With direction from Genndy Tartakovskybest known for his work on the cartoons “Samurai Jack” and “Dexter’s Laboratory”, the film’s narrative continued in new releases made in 2015, 2018 and 2022.

Where to watch: HBO Max