Are KPop Demon Hunters’ Oscar Chances In Trouble?

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This movie is truly remarkable. It unexpectedly became a massive hit on Netflix, quickly becoming the platform’s most-watched original film. As of today, it’s been in the top 10 globally for 23 weeks, recently landing at number five. The film’s popular song, “Golden,” is everywhere, and its characters were incredibly popular Halloween costumes – demand far exceeded supply. It’s hard to believe it won’t be nominated for several Oscars.

Currently, it’s expected to win in two categories: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. While Best Original Song was always expected to be a close competition, it now seems less crowded after the new songs from Wicked: For Good didn’t generate much excitement. However, KPop Demon Hunters is the clear frontrunner for Best Animated Feature.

Until recently, Disney’s Zootopia 2 quietly arrived in theaters for Thanksgiving. A low-key marketing push often suggests a studio isn’t fully confident in a film, and the reviews weren’t available until just this Tuesday. However, the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Currently, the film boasts a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 100 reviews – making it the highest-rated release from Walt Disney Animation Studios since Encanto, which won an Academy Award in 2022.

So, KPop has a real competitor – but should it actually be worried about its chances come Oscars day?

Netflix Might Be Making KPop Demon Hunters’ Oscars Chances Worse

The marketing for KPop Demon Hunters has cleverly centered on the film’s music. The singers who voiced the fictional girl group HUNTR/X have been performing together as the band in real life. While Sinners could potentially win Best Original Song, the film is also being considered for major awards like Best Picture, meaning its success will likely be recognized elsewhere. With a strong promotional push, “Golden” is expected to win this category.

The future of Warner Bros. is uncertain, with Netflix being one of the companies interested in buying it, and Hollywood is anxiously watching. While any major studio being acquired isn’t ideal, many who support traditional movie theaters see Netflix as the most concerning option. Despite recent statements, Netflix has a long history of prioritizing streaming over theatrical releases, making people doubt their commitment to keeping Warner Bros. films in cinemas.

As a movie fan, it’s always been weird to me how Netflix does at the Oscars. They’ve definitely had some wins – like with Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio – but they’ve never managed to snag Best Picture, even when everyone thought they had a real shot. It feels like they get a lot of nominations, but rarely actually win, and a lot of people think it’s because of how they handle movie releases and their relationship with traditional theaters. Just recently, James Cameron even said on a podcast that Netflix shouldn’t even be considered for Oscars with their current approach!

If they buy Warner Bros., they risk becoming the most disliked company in Hollywood this year, which could hurt their films’ chances of winning Oscars. This is especially true if voters have a strong alternative to support. A sequel to Zootopia could be that alternative, potentially reviving the studio’s reputation in the Best Animated Feature category after a recent period of weaker performance.

As a huge animation fan, I’m really enjoying KPop Demon Hunters, but I worry it might get lost in the shuffle when awards season heats up. If it starts to lose momentum, I think reminding everyone it’s a Sony Pictures Animation film could really help it stand out.

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2025-11-27 19:50