The world of animation is buzzing with the phenomenal success of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, a film that has not only captured the hearts of millions globally but is now sweeping the awards season. The Sony Pictures Animation production achieved a stunning clean sweep at the 53rd Annie Awards and followed it up with a major win and a dazzling performance at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, cementing its status as an animation powerhouse.

A Perfect Ten: Dominance at the Annie Awards

On Saturday, at the animation industry’s highest honors, the Annie Awards, KPop Demon Hunters achieved a remarkable feat by winning all 10 categories it was nominated for. The ceremony, held at UCLA’s Royce Hall, saw the film take home the coveted Best Feature award. Its dominance was clear as it also secured wins for Best Direction for Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, Best Music, Best Writing, and Best Voice Acting for Arden Cho (as Rumi), among others, according to Variety. This impressive sweep left major contenders like Disney/Pixar’s Elio, which also had 10 nominations, and Disney’s Zootopia 2 empty-handed for the night.

A ‘Golden’ Night at the BAFTAs

The celebration continued across the pond in London, where the film’s stars electrified the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards. The singing voices behind the film’s idol group HUNTR/X—EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami—delivered a stunning performance of their Grammy-winning hit song, “Golden.” As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, it was their first-ever live performance outside the U.S. To top off the night, KPop Demon Hunters also won the BAFTA for Best Animated Film, further solidifying its critical acclaim.

The Making of a Global Phenomenon

Since its release on Netflix in June 2025, KPop Demon Hunters has become a cultural touchstone. Deadline notes that the film has been viewed over 482 million times, making it Netflix’s most popular film ever. The soundtrack has achieved its own staggering success, with over 11 billion streams globally. The story follows three demon-hunting women who use their powerful singing voices to protect the world, a concept that has clearly resonated with audiences worldwide.

All Eyes on Oscar

With a near-perfect run at the Annies and a significant BAFTA win, all eyes are now on the 98th Academy Awards. The film is nominated for Best Animated Feature Film and its headline track, “Golden,” is up for Best Original Song. The Annie Awards are often a strong predictor for the Oscars—14 of the last 23 Best Feature winners at the Annies have gone on to win the Academy Award. The K-pop world and animation fans alike are waiting with bated breath to see if KPop Demon Hunters can complete the ultimate awards season trifecta.

References

• Variety: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Dominates at Annie Awards: Full Winners List
• The Hollywood Reporter: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Stars Electrify BAFTA Awards With ‘Golden’
• Deadline: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Sweeps Annie Awards, Going 10-For-10 Including Best Feature, Direction & Voice Acting – Full Winners List