Published December 5, 2025 · The Digital Desk at America Publishers
Penguin Random House Unveils Global Publishing Program for ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ in Landmark Collaboration with Netflix
The world’s largest trade publisher launches a multi-year, multi-format line of books inspired by Netflix’s record-breaking animated hit, expanding the franchise into a global literary universe.
Penguin Random House has announced a major expansion of the KPop Demon Hunters franchise, partnering with Netflix to launch a multi-year publishing program that brings the animated phenomenon into the global book market. The initiative unites three of PRH’s powerhouse divisions Random House Children’s Books, Random House Worlds, and Penguin Young Readers in a coordinated effort to translate the film’s vibrant universe of music, mythology, and K-pop–infused adventure onto the page. With demand for franchise-driven storytelling at an all-time high, PRH’s move positions KPop Demon Hunters as one of the most closely watched cross-media publishing rollouts of 2026 and beyond.
The program is being shaped through a rare cross-divisional collaboration inside Penguin Random House, bringing together editorial leaders across its children’s, licensed, and brand-focused imprints. Random House Worlds editor Katelyn Hemmeke and assistant editor Lydia Estrada will spearhead development for the licensed list, while Random House Children’s Books director of editorial Geof Smith and senior editor Meg Conover guide the core children’s line. Penguin Young Readers deepens the initiative through the expertise of Daniel Moreton, VP and publisher of brands and licenses, alongside Mad Libs executive editor Brian Clark. This unified editorial structure ensures that every format from storybooks to activity titles to graphic adaptations remains aligned with the franchise’s tone, visual identity, and global fan expectations.
The publishing program officially begins at the end of December 2025 with two inaugural titles designed to welcome young readers into the vibrant world of KPop Demon Hunters. Random House Children’s Books will release For the Fans! Little Golden Book alongside KPop Demon Hunters: The Official Poster Book on December 30, offering an accessible entry point for families and early fans of the franchise. These titles set the foundation for a broader rollout planned for spring 2026, which includes activity books, sticker collections, and additional formats inspired by the film’s fusion of K-pop culture, supernatural adventure, and heartfelt character arcs. Each release is crafted to amplify the film’s energetic aesthetic while extending its narrative universe in ways that appeal to both new audiences and existing enthusiasts.
Beyond the children’s lineup, Penguin Random House is building a multi-tiered publishing universe that caters to the film’s massive teen and adult fanbase. Random House Worlds, PRH’s imprint dedicated to licensed titles, will introduce a “sophisticated” KPop Demon Hunters coloring book in fall 2026, designed with intricate artwork that mirrors the film’s cinematic style and high-energy action sequences. The imprint will also publish a full manhwa adaptation of the film, slated to release in 2027, expanding the narrative through stylized graphic storytelling that aligns with global K-pop and anime fandom trends. Meanwhile, Penguin Young Readers is developing a KPop Demon Hunters Mad Libs title, adding a playful, interactive layer to the franchise. Together, these releases form an extended publishing ecosystem that keeps fans engaged across formats, age groups, and reading preferences, ensuring the franchise remains both culturally relevant and creatively expansive.
Chris Angelilli, senior vice president and editor-in-chief of licensed publishing at Random House Children’s Books, will oversee the entire program. In discussing the initiative, Angelilli emphasized the creative depth behind the franchise and PRH’s commitment to capturing that spirit on the page. “This universe is already rich with music, style, humor, and heart, and our teams across PRH are deeply excited to bring that spirit to the page,” he noted. His perspective underscores PRH’s confidence in KPop Demon Hunters as a long-term storytelling platform, one capable of supporting a broad range of literary formats and sustaining fan engagement well beyond the film’s streaming success.
The momentum behind KPop Demon Hunters is impossible to ignore, with the film fast becoming one of the most influential animated releases in recent years. After premiering on Netflix in June 2025, it was officially named the platform’s most popular film of all time, with more than 236 million views recorded across Netflix’s global charts. Produced in partnership with Sony Pictures Animation, the movie has drawn a passionate worldwide fandom that blends K-pop enthusiasm, supernatural storytelling, and visually dynamic action. According to industry reporting, its Grammy-nominated soundtrack has amassed more than eight billion streams globally, reflecting a cultural footprint that extends far beyond traditional animated audiences. For the publishing industry, the program represents a strategic alignment between entertainment and literature at a moment when cross-media franchises are reshaping how young readers discover stories. With its mix of music-driven energy, emotional depth, and genre-blending appeal, KPop Demon Hunters is poised to become a flagship example of how global pop culture properties can thrive within long-form storytelling and collectible formats.
With early titles set to launch and an extended slate already underway, Penguin Random House signals that this is only the beginning of its investment in the KPop Demon Hunters universe. Additional books and formats are expected to be announced as the franchise continues to evolve, supported by Netflix’s global reach and a fan community that shows no signs of slowing down. As PRH expands the storytelling landscape across age groups and genres, KPop Demon Hunters stands poised to become one of the most influential multimedia publishing programs of the coming years.
Source: Publishers Weekly, “PRH Announces ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Publishing Program,” Read more at: PublishersWeekly.com.