When the 2026 Oscar nominations dropped on Thursday morning, one outcome felt almost inevitable. KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation’s breakout phenomenon, landed nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song — exactly where industry watchers expected it to shine.
After sweeping both categories at the Critics Choice Awards and the Golden Globes, the globally streamed hit — now Netflix’s most-watched movie ever — continues to prove that its awards momentum isn’t slowing down.
“Golden” Keeps Its Crown in Best Original Song Race
In the Best Original Song category, KPop Demon Hunters is represented by “Golden,” performed by HUNTR/X — EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. The track didn’t just dominate the film; it took over the real world too, topping Spotify charts and earning four Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year.
But the competition is fierce.
The biggest challenger is “I Lied to You” from Sinners, performed by breakout star Miles Caton and written by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson. The track has already been recognised at the Critics Choice and Golden Globes, and even won Best Song at the Hollywood Music Media Awards.
Another Sinners track — “Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” — made it to the shortlist but narrowly missed the final cut, underscoring just how competitive this year’s music field is.
Also in the mix:
- “Train Dreams” from Train Dreams, co-written by Bryce Dessner of The National and Nick Cave
- “Sweet Dreams of Joy” from the documentary Viva Verdi!, a surprise nominee performed by opera star Ana María Martínez
- “Dear Me” by the indefatigable Diane Warren, marking her 17th Oscar nomination, performed by Kesha in Diane Warren: Relentless
One notable shock: Wicked: For Good was completely shut out in Original Song, with both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo missing nominations despite being shortlisted earlier.
Animated Feature: A Race That’s Anything but Predictable
In Best Animated Feature, KPop Demon Hunters stands among a final five selected from 35 eligible films. The movie follows global K-pop sensation HUNTR/X — Rumi, Mira, and Zoey — who secretly battle demons while dominating charts, blending pop culture with fantasy action in a way that clearly resonated with voters.
Its toughest competition comes from Disney’s Zootopia 2, now the ninth highest-grossing movie of all time worldwide, even surpassing Inside Out 2. The original Zootopia famously won this category, giving the sequel undeniable pedigree.
Disney also has a second contender with Elio, Pixar’s sci-fi adventure about an alien-obsessed boy accidentally becoming Earth’s ambassador to the cosmos.
Rounding out the category are two French-language standouts:
- Arco, produced by Natalie Portman, a time-travel story spanning centuries
- Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, adapted from Amélie Nothomb’s novel, exploring childhood identity and emotional awakening
Box Office Doesn’t Always Decide the Winner
While KPop Demon Hunters and Zootopia 2 may look like frontrunners on paper, history suggests caution. Just last year, the quiet Latvian animated film Flow shocked everyone by beating blockbuster giants Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot.
Oscar voters have made it clear before: numbers alone don’t win trophies.
Final Words
KPop Demon Hunters has already crossed the line from “streaming hit” to genuine awards contender. With its infectious music, bold animation, and cultural impact, the film now stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the biggest animated and musical achievements of the year.
As the Oscars approach on March 15, one thing is certain — in both Animated Feature and Original Song, the race is wide open, and no victory is guaranteed. At the Academy Awards, surprises aren’t the exception — they’re tradition.
