KPop Demon Hunters earns Oscar nods for best animated film and original song “Golden”

Netflix’s animated hit KPop Demon Hunters has officially secured two nominations at the 2026 Academy Awards, marking a major milestone for the streamer’s original animation slate. 

The film earned nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for its breakout track “Golden,” further cementing its status as one of the most successful animated releases of the year.

Released in June 2025, KPop Demon Hunters follows global K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey, who secretly live double lives as demon hunters protecting their fans from supernatural threats. Known collectively as Huntr/x, the trio uses the power of music to battle soul-eating demons, blending pop spectacle with fantasy action.

The nominated song “Golden” is performed by Huntr/x and features vocals from EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami. The track was written by EJAE alongside Mark Sonnenblick, DO and Teddy Park. Within the film, “Golden” plays during a pivotal emotional moment as the group attempts to seal the Golden Honmoon, a barrier designed to permanently shut demons out of their world. The scene also reveals a major twist about lead singer Rumi’s identity, adding depth to the story’s emotional arc.

KPop Demon Hunters enters a competitive Best Animated Feature race alongside Arco, Elio, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain and Zootopia 2. In the Best Original Song category, “Golden” will compete against tracks from Diane Warren: Relentless, Sinners, Train Dreams and Viva Verdi!.

The film has already enjoyed a strong awards season, winning Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at both the Critics Choice Awards and the Golden Globes. It also became Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time and produced multiple Billboard Hot 100 hits, with “Golden” earning a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year.