A Christian metal band called Demon Hunter has initiated legal action against Netflix, alleging trademark infringement due to the streaming platform’s popular movie titled “KPop Demon Hunters.” The lawsuit, filed by Hyde Lane Inc., the parent company of Demon Hunter, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on August 18, 2026, claims that the film’s title bears a striking resemblance to the band’s trademarked name.

Demon Hunter, founded in Seattle in 2000 by brothers Ryan Clark and Don Clark (who left the band in 2009), has a significant musical presence with 13 albums and over one million equivalent album sales, including streaming numbers. Their latest album, “There Was a Light Here,” was released in 2025.

Netflix premiered “KPop Demon Hunters” in June 2025, depicting members of a K-pop girl group, Huntrix, who double as demon hunters. The movie has become Netflix’s most-watched film, accumulating over 325.1 million views by March. Following the film’s release, Demon Hunter has faced confusion from individuals mistaking the band for the characters in “KPop Demon Hunters.”

One incident cited in the complaint involved a parent mistakenly purchasing concert tickets, assuming they were for a “KPop Demon Hunters” show and later requesting a refund upon realizing the error. Additionally, a producer from “Inside Edition” contacted Demon Hunter’s manager, erroneously seeking an interview with a nonexistent member, Yu Han Lee, who was actually a songwriter associated with the film.

The misuse of the hashtag #DemonHunter on social media posts related to “KPop Demon Hunters” was also highlighted in the complaint. The legal representation for Demon Hunter declined to provide any comments at this time, while Netflix responded via email to CBC News, stating their intention to contest the lawsuit, asserting that the claims are baseless. Netflix emphasized the global success and impact of “KPop Demon Hunters” and expressed readiness to defend the matter vigorously.