Animated hit KPop Demon Hunters wins big at the 2026 Oscars

On March 15, 2026, KPop Demon Hunters took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature — a milestone win for the film’s creative team and the singing trio behind HUNTR/X. The victory opened the night’s awards and spotlighted the film’s music, fashion and growing cultural impact.

Who won, what happened and when

Producers Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong collected the award for KPop Demon Hunters during the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Kang, visibly emotional, told the audience, “For those of you who look like me, I’m so sorry it took so long to see us in a movie like this,” as cameras caught HUNTR/X — EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami — tearing up in the crowd.

The film’s original song “Golden,” written by EJAE with a team including Mark Sonnenblick and Teddy Park, was also in contention for Best Original Song. HUNTR/X performed the number during the ceremony, a moment that tied the movie’s animation win to its chart success — the song is already a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit.

Red carpet, fashion and fan reaction

Before the ceremony the trio spoke with Access Hollywood’s Mario Lopez and Kit Hoover, breaking down their golden Oscars looks and sharing behind-the-scenes details about their outfits. That red-carpet coverage underscored how the film’s style and music are crossing over into mainstream pop culture.

Fans and industry figures applauded the win. Billboard noted the film as a “smash hit,” and the singers had recently been named among Billboard’s Women of the Year, a profile that will culminate with a special event in April streaming on Billboard.com and Billboard’s YouTube channel.

Other standout moments from the ceremony

The night included several memorable performances beyond the KPop Demon Hunters moment. Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq delivered “I Lied to You,” the nominated song from Sinners, joined onstage by a large ensemble of musicians and performers recreating the film’s juke-joint sequence. The performance drew standing ovations and visible approval from Sinners star Michael B. Jordan.

Why this matters now

KPop Demon Hunters’ Oscars win marks a notable moment for representation in mainstream animation and for the global influence of K-pop–inflected storytelling. The combined success of the film and its soundtrack suggests continued crossover opportunities for its creators and performers.

What’s next

  • The creative team and HUNTR/X are likely to see increased attention on streaming platforms and soundtrack sales following the Oscar win.
  • HUNTR/X’s Billboard Women of the Year honor will be showcased in April, with the event streaming online.
  • Industry watchers will be watching awards-season momentum to see how the film and its music perform in other year-end lists and festivals.

For now, the film’s Oscar trophy, the performance of “Golden,” and the red-carpet moments from EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami have cemented KPop Demon Hunters as one of the night’s defining cultural moments.