‘KPop Demon Hunters’ makes history at the Oscars and sets an unprecedented record for Netflix
The most-watched film in the platform’s history is also making its mark during awards season.
As expected, ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ was one of the standout stars of the 2026 Oscars. The global Netflix phenomenon, which has been breaking viewership records ever since its 2025 premiere, achieved something at the film industry’s most prestigious awards ceremony that no other animated film on the platform had ever accomplished before.
The night was already shaping up to be a memorable one, with live performances by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami as HUNTR/X, performing the song “Golden.” However, the real highlight came with the awards the film won, cementing its status as an unprecedented hit for Netflix.
K-pop takes the 2026 Oscars by storm
The achievement is doubly historic. ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ won the Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, becoming the first Netflix animated film to win multiple Academy Awards. Furthermore, it is also the only animated production from both Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation to have won more than one Oscar at the same ceremony.
This recognition also marks a symbolic triumph for K-pop, a global cultural phenomenon that, despite its enormous international impact, has won its first Oscar in a music category, marking a turning point for the genre within the Western film industry.
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Commercially, the success is just as resounding. ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ is currently the most-watched film in Netflix history, far surpassing the second-place title and remaining in the platform’s global Top 10 for months. This extraordinary performance has already led to the confirmation of a sequel, which is set to become one of the most anticipated releases in the coming years.
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