‘KPop Demon Hunters’ earns Oscar eligibility in feature animation race
A scene from Netflix’s animated feature “KPop Demon Hunters” / Courtesy of Netflix
Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” has been named one of the works eligible for nomination at the U.S. Academy Awards, raising expectations about how far the global hit may go in Hollywood’s awards season.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the list of 35 films Friday that qualify for consideration in the feature animation category at the 98th Academy Awards. “KPop Demon Hunters” was included on the list, drawing attention from industry watchers.
The list also features Disney titles such as “Elio” and “Zootopia 2,” along with Japanese blockbusters that have sparked major global reactions, including “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — The Movie: The Infinity Castle” and "Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc"
“KPop Demon Hunters” follows Huntrix, a K-pop girl group that protects the world from evil spirits. The film has enjoyed strong global momentum since its release in June. It reached number one worldwide immediately after launch and went on to set Netflix’s all-time viewership record for a film, driven by word of mouth. A sequel has already been greenlit.
The soundtrack has also made waves. Songs such as “Golden,” “Soda Pop” and “Your Idol” entered Billboard’s main chart, amplifying the film’s reach beyond animation audiences.
The official nominees for the Academy’s feature animation category will be announced on Jan. 22, 2026, and the awards ceremony will take place on March 15.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.