KPop Demon Hunters Makes Oscars Shortlist: First Netflix Animated Film Eligible for Animated Feature After Historic Grammy Nominations

Los Angeles, CA — Fresh off securing four Grammy nominations (not three as initially reported), the cultural phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters has achieved another historic milestone: it is now officially Oscar-eligible for Best Animated Feature at the 98th Academy Awards.

Academy Confirms KPop Demon Hunters on Animated Feature Eligibility List

According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and confirmed by The Associated Press, KPop Demon Hunters has been included on the official list of films eligible for consideration in the Best Animated Feature category, thanks to its qualifying limited theatrical run despite being a Netflix original.

This marks the first time a Netflix-distributed animated film with a primary streaming release has made the Academy’s Animated Feature reminder list, breaking new ground in an awards landscape historically dominated by traditional theatrical releases.

Competing Against Disney Giants and Indie Darlings

The film will compete against heavyweights including:

• Disney/Pixar’s Elio
• Zootopia 2
• Neon’s Natalie Portman-produced animated film Arco
• and several other high-profile animated projects.

Already the Most-Watched Original Movie in Netflix History

Since its June 2025 premiere, KPop Demon Hunters has amassed an astonishing 325 million views, making it the most-watched original film (live-action or animated) in Netflix history.

Netflix has already greenlit a sequel set for release in 2029.

Grammy Glory: “Golden” by Huntr/x Earns Four Nominations

The film’s breakout single “Golden” performed by fictional-turned-real K-pop group Huntr/x has spent 22 consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200 and just secured four major Grammy nominations:

• Song of the Year
• Best Song Written for Visual Media
• Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
• Best Remixed Recording

The soundtrack itself continues to dominate global charts, further cementing the movie as a cross-medium juggernaut.

“Nothing’s ever gone this big off of a Netflix property. It’s pure K-pop. There are no fan wars. There are no label wars. There’s no artist drama. There’s none of the issues that groups face amongst each other.”

— High-ranking K-pop executive speaking to Rolling Stone

Could KPop Demon Hunters Become the First Streaming-First Animated Film to Win an Oscar?

With massive global viewership, universal critical acclaim, a history-making soundtrack, and now official Academy eligibility, KPop Demon Hunters is positioned to potentially become the first predominantly streaming animated film to secure a Best Animated Feature nomination — and possibly the win.

Oscar nominations will be announced on January 22, 2026. The industry — and millions of fans worldwide — will be watching.

Stay tuned for updates on KPop Demon Hunters’ awards season journey.