KPop Demon Hunters recently earned a few Oscar nominations, and it now has an opportunity to achieve a rare accomplishment. Netflix’s animated hit film was a worldwide sensation in 2025, and it’s bringing that energy into 2026. Demon Hunters‘ music topped the Billboard charts, and the film now has an opportunity to win Academy Awards.
The 98th Academy Award nominations were announced on January 22, and KPop Demon Hunters was nominated for two awards: Best Original Song and Best Animated Feature Film. It has high odds of winning Best Animated Film, but is competing with other celebrated films, like Zootopia 2 and Little Amélie Or The Character of Rain.
The film has even better odds of winning Best Original Song. “Golden” became a global hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s also nominated for Song of the Year at the 2026 Grammys. If “Golden” wins both of these awards, it would achieve something that only one other animated film has done.
KPop Demon Hunters Has A Strong Chance At Winning Best Original Song And Song Of The Year
Demon Hunters is on a steady path to winning Best Original Song at the Academy Awards. It already won the Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award for the same category, and currently has the highest betting odds, according to Polymarket. It would be surprising if another song won, though “I Lied To You” from Sinners could pull off an upset.
“Golden” is also the betting favorite on Polymarket for Song of the Year. However, it is competing against many heavy hitters, including Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild,” Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” and Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther.” Still, it wouldn’t be surprising if “Golden” emerged as the victor.
|
Song |
Film |
Songwriters |
|
“Moon River“ |
Breakfast at Tiffany’s |
Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer |
|
“Days of Wine and Roses“ |
Days of Wine and Roses |
Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer |
|
“The Shadow of Your Smile“ |
The Sandpiper |
Johnny Mandel & Paul Francis Webster |
|
“The Way We Were“ |
The Way We Were |
Alan & Marilyn Bergman & Marvin Hamlisch |
|
“Evergreen (Love Theme From A Star Is Born)“ |
A Star Is Born |
Barbra Streisand & Paul Williams |
|
“You Light Up My Life“ |
You Light Up My Life |
Joseph Brooks |
|
“A Whole New World“ |
Aladdin |
Alan Menken & Tim Rice |
|
“Streets of Philadelphia“ |
Philadelphia |
Bruce Springsteen |
|
“My Heart Will Go On“ |
Titanic |
James Horner & Will Jennings |
|
“What Was I Made For?“ |
Barbie |
Billie Eilish & Finneas |
If KPop wins Song of the Year and Best Original Song, it would become the 11th film to earn this achievement (via Billboard), and the second animated film to do so. The first was Disney’s Aladdin, which won for “A Whole New World.” Other winners of both awards include “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic and “What Was I Made For?” from Barbie.
The one award Demon Hunters would hold over Aladdin would be Best Animated Feature, since the category wasn’t introduced until 2002. At the Grammys, KPop could also win Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media, and Best Song Written For Visual Media.
In total, Demon Hunters could be adding six awards to its total collection, further enshrining its status as a massive hit for Netflix. The streaming service is already working on a sequel to the film, creating even more songs that could collect more awards.
- Release Date
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June 20, 2025
- Runtime
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96 minutes
- Director
-
Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang
