K-Pop: Demon Hunters Wins Best Animated Feature Oscar | 2026 Academy Awards

The animated feature KPop: Demon Hunters—known in Spanish-speaking markets as Las guerreras K-Pop—took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The win marks a historic moment for South Korean representation in animation, and for Netflix, where the film quickly became a global phenomenon.

Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, and produced by Michelle L.M. Wong, KPop: Demon Hunters bested a competitive field that included Disney’s Zootopia 2, Pixar’s Elio, Neon’s Arco, and the French production Little Amélie (GKids). The victory wasn’t limited to the animated feature category; the film’s original song, “Golden,” also won an Oscar, becoming the first K-pop song to receive the honor.

A Netflix Milestone

Released in June 2025, KPop: Demon Hunters rapidly ascended to become Netflix’s most-watched original film ever, surpassing over 500 million views. As the Los Angeles Times reported, the film’s success has been a significant win for the streaming platform, positioning it as a major player in the animation space, rivaling established studios like Disney and DreamWorks. The film’s performance follows Netflix’s previous Oscar win in the animated feature category for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio in 2023, solidifying a pattern of awards recognition for the streamer’s original films.

Maggie Kang’s Historic Win

Director Maggie Kang’s win is particularly noteworthy. She is the first filmmaker of South Korean descent to win the Best Animated Feature Oscar. According to ABC News, Kang addressed the historical significance of her win during her acceptance speech, acknowledging the long wait for Korean representation in the industry. “Thank you, thank you to the academy and to all the fans who got us here, and for those of you who seem like me, I am so sorry that it took us so long to see us in a movie like this,” she said. “But We see here. And that means that the next generations don’t have to go longing. This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere.”

“Golden” Strikes a Chord

The success of “Golden” extends beyond the Oscar win. The song, co-written by Ejae, along with several other South Korean writers, represents a breakthrough for K-pop on the international stage. Six of the credited writers became the first South Koreans to win in the Best Original Song category. The performance of “Golden” at the Oscars ceremony itself was a vibrant celebration of Korean culture, featuring dancers in traditional dress and scenes from the film. Vanity Fair España noted that the performance included scenes from the film playing in the background as Rei Ami, Ejae, and Audrey Nuna—the singing voices for the demon-fighting trio HUNTR/X—performed the hit song.

Beyond the Awards: A Sequel is Confirmed

Capitalizing on the film’s success, Netflix has officially greenlit a sequel to KPop: Demon Hunters. The follow-up will expand the universe of HUNTR/X and their ongoing battle against the boy band villains, the Saja Boys. While specific details regarding the plot, release date, and cast remain under wraps, the confirmation signals Netflix’s commitment to building a franchise around the popular animated film. Chris Appelhans, in his Oscar acceptance speech, encouraged young creators to share their stories, stating, “Music and stories have this power to connect us as humans across cultures and borders…share your story, sing in your voice. I promise you the world is waiting.”

What’s Next for the Franchise?

Currently, Netflix has not announced a firm release timeline for the KPop: Demon Hunters sequel. However, given the film’s rapid production cycle—from initial concept to release in roughly a year—industry observers anticipate a potential release in late 2026 or early 2027. The streaming platform will likely leverage the momentum from the Oscar wins and the established fanbase to build anticipation for the sequel through targeted marketing campaigns and potential merchandise tie-ins. Further announcements regarding casting, plot details, and a confirmed release date are expected in the coming months.