KPOP DEMON HUNTERS toys won’t hit shelves this holiday season—here’s why

Fans hoping to unwrap KPop Demon Hunters toys this Christmas are in for disappointment. Despite Netflix’s record-breaking animated hit becoming the streamer’s most-watched movie ever, official toys and games won’t be hitting shelves until 2026.

Earlier this week, Netflix signed major deals with toy giants Mattel and Hasbro to produce KPop Demon Hunters merchandise. Mattel will handle dolls, action figures, collectibles, and playsets, while Hasbro will produce plush toys, electronics, and board games. However, manufacturing and distribution timelines mean none of these items will arrive in time for the 2025 holiday rush.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix first reached out to toy partners between 12 and 18 months before the movie’s release—but interest was lukewarm. At the time, KPop Demon Hunters was an untested IP. A year and over 325 million views later, everyone’s scrambling to catch up to the film’s explosive success.

“Making toys and games usually takes about 18 months from concept to store shelves,” Mattel’s senior vice president of entertainment partnerships, Nick Karamanos, told THR. Even with an accelerated schedule, the earliest fans can expect products will be spring 2026, with a full rollout by the holiday season next year—just in time for KPop Demon Hunters 2.

Despite the delay, Netflix and its partners are fast-tracking designs and approvals to meet overwhelming demand. Some of Mattel’s proposed products have already been greenlit, and the team promises both high quality and creativity, rather than simple reskins of existing dolls.

Until then, fans aren’t entirely out of luck. Official KPop Demon Hunters apparel and collectibles are available through Netflix’s online shop, including Funko Pop! figures, lightsticks, and themed clothing at major retailers like Amazon, Zara Kids, and Hot Topic.

Netflix and Mattel have also confirmed they’re working to combat counterfeit products flooding online marketplaces. “We certainly would help Netflix go and pursue those counterfeits,” Karamanos said.

So while Santa won’t be delivering KPop Demon Hunters toys this year, fans can look forward to 2026 being the year HUNTR/X finally takes over toy aisles—officially.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter