Post by : Meena Ariff

The animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” is now in the Oscar race. This Netflix hit is among 35 films eligible for the Best Animated Feature category at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled the eligibility lists for animated, documentary, and international feature films this year.

Despite its success on Netflix, the film satisfied eligibility requirements with a qualifying theatrical release in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco last June. However, its UK showings fell short of meeting other international award criteria.

Other notable contenders this year include Disney's Elio, Zootopia 2, Neon’s Arco, GKids’ Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, Netflix's In Your Dreams, and Crunchyroll/Sony's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle. Surprising enough, the Chinese blockbuster Ne Zha 2 did not make the cut.

“KPop Demon Hunters” stands as Netflix's most-watched film to date, boasting over 541 million hours streamed globally. Its soundtrack has made significant waves in the 2025 charts, featuring eight tracks on the Billboard Hot 100. The film's limited theatrical window in August brought in an estimated $18 million, followed by a Halloween weekend re-release. Netflix secured the Best Animated Feature Oscar in 2022 for Guillermo del Toro’s rendition of Pinocchio.

In total, 201 documentaries and 86 international films are vying for their chance to be recognized. Among them are Sentimental Value (Norway), Sirâth (Spain), The Secret Agent (Brazil), It Was Just an Accident (France), The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia), and My Father’s Shadow (United Kingdom). Additionally, the co-production 2000 Meters to Andriivka is eligible in both documentary and international categories. Shortlists will be revealed on Dec. 16.

Fans of “KPop Demon Hunters” will have to wait for the Oscar nominations on Jan. 22 to find out if the film secures a spot in the animated feature category. It is also expected to be considered in the Original Song category, with the popular track “Golden” submitted for evaluation.

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