KPop Demon Huntershas become one of the biggest movies of 2025, which could translate into success at the 98th Academy Awards. After debuting on Netflix, the Sony Animation film has become one of the streaming service’s biggest hits. The film’s music has also become a phenomenon, with tracks like"Golden" and “Your Idol” ranking high on the Billboard charts. The success has even propelled Netflix to theatrically release the film in select cities, with some of these sing-along screenings immediately selling out.
KPop Demon Huntersis likely to be regarded as one of the year’s biggest cinematic hits with general audiences. The strong reception also makes it a likely contender in award season, especially once the Academy Awards roll around. Depending on how well the film endures into the second half of the year,KPop Demon Huntersseems likely to be nominated in multiple categories. However, it’s worth comparing some of the competition it might face at the Oscars, especially in what is shaping up to be one of the 98th Academy Award’s tightest races.
KPop Demon Hunter’s Massive Success Makes It A Shoo-In For Oscar Nominations
While it can be rare for animated films to really break through at the Academy Awards,KPop Demon Hunter’s status as a genuine phenom might help push it towards Oscar gold. The film was well-received critically and has generated a massive fan base. Celebrating the smash hit with nominationscould help the Oscars draw in a more global and youthful audience.
This makes some form of recognition from the Oscars likely. Although the movie was released through streaming, Netflix has already screened the film theatrically in some markets.This ensures that the movie is eligible for Academy Award nominations, where it is likely a frontrunner for in several categories.
The two most obvious (and most likely) are nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, which would both be warranted. The film’s soundtrack is full of great tracks, and it’s easily one of the year’s biggest animated films. However, the film’s multiple costume designs and impressive special effects could earn it other below-the-line categories.
Well-received by critics, a voting body that’s feeling generous to the film’s fusion of genres and likable characters could award it a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. It’s possible that, ifKPop Demon Huntersremains firmly in the cultural zeitgeist,it could even become only the fourth animated film to be nominated for Best Picture.
At the time of writing, only three animated films have ever been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture:Beauty and the Beast,Up, andToy Story 3.
KPop Demon Hunter Could Be The Frontrunner For Best Animated Feature
KPop Demon Hunterscurrently stands as a frontrunner for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. The category has proven to be very competitive in recent years, with the 97th Academy Awards having several high-profile films likeFlow,Inside Out 2, andThe Wild Robotvying for the top spot.The 98th Academy Awards might be more one-sided in that category, however.
2025 has had plenty of solid animated films(including but not limited toThe Bad Guys 2,Elio,Predator: Killer of Killers,Fixed,Ne Zha 2, andLost in Starlight). There are also other great-looking animated films coming out by the end of the year (likeA Magnificent Life,In Your Dreams,Iyanu: The Age of Wonders,The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, andZootopia 2).
However,none of them have drawn the attention of general audiences quite likeKPop Demon Hunters. The Netflix film has dominated the cultural landscape in a way no other animated film has done in years, with the impact of the music alone making a good case for whyKPop Demon Huntersdeserves to be recognized at the Academy Awards.
It also helps that animation fans and critics alike lovedKPop Demon Hunters. The film currently has a Tomatometer score of 97%, with many critics complimenting the movie’s unique blend of anime-inspired motion with slick CGI animation. As a technical achievement, it’s an impressive product. Even just as a movie, it’s very entertaining.
The film has fun characters, a tight story, along with plenty of humor, horror, and heart.It’s all the right ingredients to make the film pop as an Oscar pick.KPop Demon Huntersdoesn’t just seem like a lock for a nomination, but appears to be the frontrunner for the next Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
KPop Demon Hunters Might Have A Harder Time Winning Best Original Song
KPop Demon Huntersalso seems like a shoo-in to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.It could even be argued to be a frontrunner for the award, given thatNetflix submitted “Golden"as their submission for the category. Since then, “Golden” has climbed the music charts to become one of 2025’s biggest pop hits.
However,KPop Demon Huntersis staring down a tough field of competitors for Best Original Song. Following the massive success ofWickedin 2024,expectations are high for the sequel,Wicked: For Good. That includes the musical’s songs, especially two original tracks by the musical’s original composer, Stephen Schwartz.
Wicked: For GoodandKPop Demon Huntersseem to be vying for the frontrunner status in this category.The award-season theatrical window forWicked: For Goodmight ensure that those tracks are more prevalent in the minds of voters, giving it a potentially crucial edge in the race.
Even beyond those two films, other darkhouse contenders could prove to be challenging to overcome. The titularIce Spice song fromHighest 2 Lowestor “I Lied To You” fromSinnerscould also earn nominationsand play into their own Oscar narratives if those films pick up steam in award season.
KPop Demon Huntersseems likely to carry its massive success to the 98th Academy Awards, potentially netting Netflix some more Oscars. However, the strength of the competition in the Best Original Song category might keepKPop Demon Huntersfrom earning “Golden” an Oscar to go alongside its status as a #1 hit.
