KPop Demon Hunters Makes History at the 2026 Oscars
Historic Win for Asian Animation at the Oscars
Oscars 2026: The 98th Academy Awards marked a significant milestone for Asian animation as KPop Demon Hunters clinched the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. This victory capped off an impressive awards season for the Netflix sensation, which has become the most-watched film in the platform's history. It outperformed strong contenders such as Arco, Elio, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, and Zootopia 2. The film had previously garnered accolades at the Golden Globe Awards, Critics' Choice Awards, and Producers Guild of America Awards, along with 10 wins at the Annie Awards.
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, and produced by Michelle L.M. Wong, the film intertwines K-pop culture with fantasy action, showcasing a group of pop stars who secretly combat supernatural threats. During her heartfelt acceptance speech, Kang expressed gratitude to the Academy and the global fanbase that supported the film. She emphasized the importance of representation and the need for diverse narratives in cinema.
“Thank you to the Academy and to all the fans who got us here,” Kang stated, visibly emotional. She added, “For those of you who look like me, I’m sorry it took us so long to see ourselves in a movie like this. But it’s here now. That means the next generation won’t have to wait.” She concluded with a powerful message: “This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere.” This win also marks a groundbreaking achievement, as Kang and Wong are the first female Asian winners in the Best Animated Feature category at the Oscars.
In addition, a sequel to KPop Demon Hunters has been announced, with Kang and Appelhans set to return as writers and directors. The follow-up is aiming for a 2029 release and will be produced under a new multi-year exclusive animation agreement with Netflix.
Moreover, the film's standout track, Golden, is a strong contender for the Best Original Song category this year. It faces competition from I Lied to You from Sinners, Dear Me from the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless, the title track from Train Dreams by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner, and Sweet Dreams of Joy from Viva Verdi!. If Golden wins, it could make history as the first K-pop song to receive an Oscar.