KPop Demon Hunters Wins Best Animated Feature Oscar | Gizmodo

The animated film KPop Demon Hunters has officially cemented its place in cinematic history, taking home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature on Sunday night. This win caps off an extraordinary awards season for the Netflix production, which also secured a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media for its hit track, “Golden,” and had already garnered accolades from the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, and Annie Awards. The film’s success marks a significant moment for Korean representation in animation and a major win for Netflix, which has seen KPop Demon Hunters become its most-watched movie of all time.

From Quiet Debut to Cultural Phenomenon

KPop Demon Hunters’ journey to Oscar glory wasn’t immediate. As Gizmodo’s review noted, the film had a “rather quiet debut” on the streaming platform. Yet, it steadily gained traction, resonating with audiences and ultimately surpassing all expectations. The film follows Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, members of the K-pop group Huntr/x, as they navigate the dual lives of pop stars and demon hunters. This unique blend of genres, coupled with vibrant animation and catchy music, proved to be a winning formula.

The Power of “Golden” and the Rise of K-Pop in Animation

Central to the film’s success is the song “Golden,” performed by Ejae, who voices the character of Rumi. The track not only won an Oscar and a Grammy but also topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks in mid-2025 and remained in the top 10 after the holiday season, earning 99.4 million on-demand U.S. Streams in January 2026, according to Billboard. The song’s success is particularly noteworthy as it represents the first time a K-pop song has received such recognition at the Grammy Awards. This achievement underscores the growing influence of K-pop on the global music scene and its increasing presence in visual media.

A Competitive Field and a Clear Winner

KPop Demon Hunters faced stiff competition in the Best Animated Feature category, going up against critically acclaimed films like Disney’s Zootopia 2, Pixar’s Elio, Neon’s Arco, and France’s Little Amélie or the Character of Rain. However, the film’s cultural impact and widespread popularity proved to be decisive. According to Wikipedia, KPop Demon Hunters received 130 wins from 187 nominations across various award bodies before even reaching the Oscars. This demonstrates the overwhelming positive reception the film received from critics and audiences alike.

Beyond the Awards: A Franchise in the Making

The success of KPop Demon Hunters extends beyond awards and accolades. The film also enjoyed a successful theatrical run, becoming the number one movie in the country despite being simultaneously available on Netflix. This unusual feat highlights the film’s broad appeal and its ability to attract audiences to both streaming and traditional cinema experiences. The film’s popularity has spurred a wave of merchandise and, crucially, has paved the way for a sequel. Netflix has officially announced a sequel, marking the first project under a new multi-year deal with co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans. Kang expressed her pride in the film’s success, stating, “I perceive immense pride as a Korean filmmaker that the audience wants more from this Korean story and our Korean characters.”

What’s Next for Huntr/x and the World of Demon Hunting?

The sequel promises to delve deeper into the world established in the first film, offering audiences more of the characters and storylines they’ve come to love. Singer Ejae, who performs Rumi’s singing voice and co-wrote “Golden,” has expressed her hope to incorporate new musical styles into the sequel, potentially showcasing a wider range of Korean music. She told the BBC she hopes to “show more sides of Korea,” highlighting the diversity of the country’s musical landscape. While a release date has not yet been set, the anticipation for the sequel is already building. The continued success of KPop Demon Hunters suggests a bright future for the franchise and a growing appetite for diverse and innovative animated storytelling.

The film’s legacy is now solidified, not just as an Oscar winner, but as a cultural touchstone that has broadened the scope of animated features and brought Korean storytelling to a global audience. The procedural next steps involve further development of the sequel’s script and animation, with Kang and Appelhans leading the creative direction. The film’s impact on the animation industry and the K-pop music scene will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.