‘KPop Demon Hunters’ is officially eligible for the Oscars

Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” has secured a coveted spot among 35 films eligible for the animated feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards, bringing the streaming giant one step closer to another potential Oscar win.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released its eligibility lists on Friday for animated, documentary, and international feature prizes for next year’s ceremony. Despite being primarily a Netflix release, “KPop Demon Hunters” met Oscar qualification requirements through limited theatrical runs in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in June. Interestingly, its UK theatrical distribution wasn’t sufficient to qualify for BAFTA consideration.

The animated feature category features several notable contenders alongside “KPop Demon Hunters,” including Neon’s “Arco,” Disney’s dual entries “Elio” and “Zootopia 2,” GKids’ “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,” Netflix’s “In Your Dreams,” and Crunchyroll/Sony’s anime adaptations “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” and “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.” Industry observers noted the absence of Chinese blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” from the eligibility list.

“KPop Demon Hunters” has become a cultural phenomenon since its release. Netflix claims it’s the platform’s most-watched film ever, accumulating over 541 million viewing hours worldwide. The film’s soundtrack has dominated music charts, becoming 2025’s highest-charting soundtrack with eight songs reaching the Billboard Hot 100.

The film’s impact extended beyond streaming when Netflix gave it a theatrical release in August, where it reportedly generated approximately $18 million – a figure that would have topped box office charts had Netflix officially released theatrical earnings. This success prompted an additional theatrical run during Halloween weekend, further cementing its popularity.

For Netflix, an Oscar win would build on their animation success that began when “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” secured the studio its first animated feature Oscar in 2022.

The Academy also announced eligibility for 201 documentaries and 86 international features. Notable international contenders include “Sentimental Value” (Norway), “Sirât” (Spain), “The Secret Agent” (Brazil), “It Was Just an Accident” (France), “The Voice of Hind Rajab” (Tunisia), and “My Father’s Shadow” (United Kingdom). “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” a collaboration between the Associated Press and PBS Frontline, has qualified in both documentary and international categories.

Both documentary and international feature categories will be narrowed to shortlists of 10 films each, scheduled for announcement on December 16. This intermediate step helps focus industry attention on leading contenders before final nominations.

Fans of “KPop Demon Hunters” must wait until January 22, when nominations are announced, to learn whether the film advances in the animated feature category. Industry analysts widely expect the film to compete in the original song category as well, with “Golden” among the tracks submitted for consideration.

The animation category has grown increasingly competitive in recent years, with streaming platforms challenging traditional studio dominance. The success of “KPop Demon Hunters” represents the continuing evolution of animation storytelling and distribution models in Hollywood.

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will broadcast live on ABC on March 15 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time, where the film industry will gather to celebrate the year’s achievements across all categories.