“KPop Demon Hunters” Becomes Oscar-Eligible Animated Feature

Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” Officially Eligible for 98th Academy Awards Animated Feature Category

Netflix’s animated sensation “KPop Demon Hunters” is officially eligible for the 98th Academy Awards, joining 34 other films in the animated feature category. The film’s global success on streaming platforms and theaters underscores its international impact and potential for Oscars recognition.

Eligibility and Academy Recognition

“KPop Demon Hunters” has advanced to the next stage of awards consideration, having met the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ criteria for Oscar eligibility. Released on Netflix and supplemented with a qualifying theatrical run in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in June, the film fulfilled the Academy’s requirements for animated feature consideration.

While its UK theatrical release generated attention, it did not meet the specific eligibility standards for the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs). The Academy’s eligibility list, published on Friday, also included submissions across documentary and international feature categories for next year’s ceremony.

Competing Animated Features

The 98th Oscars animated feature category features 35 films. Alongside “KPop Demon Hunters,” notable contenders include Disney’s “Elio” and “Zootopia 2,” Neon’s “Arco,” GKids’ “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,” Netflix’s “In Your Dreams,” and Crunchyroll/Sony collaborations “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” and “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.”

Some high-profile films did not appear on the eligibility list. Among them, the Chinese blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” was notably absent.

Global Impact and Audience Reception

“KPop Demon Hunters” has become a global phenomenon. According to Netflix, it is the platform’s most-watched film, accumulating more than 541 million hours viewed worldwide. Its soundtrack has achieved remarkable commercial success in 2025, with eight songs charting on the Billboard Hot 100.

The film also generated significant box office attention, with an estimated $18 million earned during its August theatrical release and additional screenings over Halloween weekend. Netflix previously secured its first animated feature Oscar in 2022 with “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” signaling the streaming giant’s growing influence in animation awards.

Documentary and International Feature Contenders

Beyond animation, the Academy listed 201 documentaries and 86 international feature films as eligible for the 98th Oscars. Highlighted international entries include Norway’s “Sentimental Value,” Spain’s “Sirât,” Brazil’s “The Secret Agent,” France’s “It Was Just an Accident,” Tunisia’s “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” and the UK’s “My Father’s Shadow.”

Additionally, “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” a collaborative production involving the Associated Press and PBS Frontline, is eligible in both documentary and international feature categories. The Academy will reduce these submissions to a 10-film shortlist, scheduled for announcement on Dec. 16.

Anticipated Nominations

Fans of “KPop Demon Hunters” will await the Academy’s nomination announcement on Jan. 22, 2026, to learn whether the film will make the official animated feature shortlist. The film is also expected to compete in the original song category, with the track “Golden” officially submitted for consideration.

The 98th Oscars ceremony is set to broadcast live on ABC on March 15 at 7 p.m. ET, showcasing awards across film, music, and technical categories.

Conclusion

With its record-breaking streaming figures, global soundtrack success, and international theatrical presence, “KPop Demon Hunters” represents a major contender in the upcoming Academy Awards. Its journey from Netflix screens to potential Oscar glory highlights the growing intersection of streaming media, global audiences, and prestigious awards recognition.