SANTA MONICA The Netflix animated sensation KPop Demon Hunters has officially transitioned from a streaming juggernaut to a critical powerhouse. At the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards held on January 4, 2026, the film secured two major victories, winning Best Animated Feature and Best Song for the chart-topping anthem “Golden.”
The wins come as the film, produced by Sony Pictures Animation, continues its unprecedented run as the Netflix most watched movie 2025, recently surpassing 500 million total views to become the platform’s most-viewed original film of all time.
A Historic Night for Animation and Music
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film outperformed traditional industry giants, including Disney’s Zootopia 2 and Pixar’s Elio. The victory for “Golden”—performed by the fictional group Huntr/x with vocals by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami—marked a milestone for animated soundtracks. The track beat out high-profile entries from artists like Ed Sheeran and John Mayer.
“The song needed to be an expression of hope,” said vocalist and co-writer EJAE during her acceptance speech. The track previously made history by spending five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the longest reign ever for an animated act.
Star-Studded Voice Cast and Authenticity
A significant driver behind the film’s success is the KPop Demon Hunters voice cast, which features a blend of Hollywood veterans and K-drama stars. The lead trio, Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, are voiced by Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo, respectively. The cast also includes:
- Ahn Hyo-seop as Jinu, leader of the rival Saja Boys.
- Yunjin Kim and Daniel Dae Kim in supporting roles.
- Ken Jeong as the group’s manager, Bobby.
- Lee Byung-hun as the demon king Gwi-ma.
The production team emphasized cultural authenticity, with director Maggie Kang noting that the demon-hunting elements were inspired by traditional Korean mudang (shamans).
2026 Outlook and Oscar Buzz
The Critics Choice success has fueled intense speculation regarding the upcoming Academy Awards. With nominations set to be announced on January 22, 2026, KPop Demon Hunters is widely considered a frontrunner for the Best Animated Feature category.
Beyond the screen, the franchise is expanding into a global lifestyle brand. Netflix has confirmed master toy partnerships with Mattel and Hasbro, with the first wave of merchandise expected to ship in spring 2026.
