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If there was one film that truly defined 2025, it was KPop Demon Hunters. From TikTok edits to think pieces and fan cams to fashion recreations, the Netflix animated mega-hit became more than just a movie — it turned into a movement. With a soundtrack that ruled the charts, visuals that redefined animation aesthetics, and a storyline that combined K-pop glam with demon-slaying chaos, it’s no wonder KPop Demon Hunters has quickly become the front-runner this awards season.
That prediction became reality at the Critics’ Choice Awards, where KPop Demon Hunters snagged two major wins in one night — Best Animated Feature and Best Song for the chart-topping anthem “Golden”. In one fell swoop, it proved that the film is not just a streaming juggernaut but a critical darling too.
This was never just hype. The numbers, the fandom, and the cultural chokehold it now has all speak for themselves. And now, the golden statues are catching up.
KPop Demon Hunters bags two Critics’ Choice Awards
When KPop Demon Hunters swept the Critics’ Choice Awards with wins for Best Animated Feature and Best Song, it wasn’t just a big night; it was a cultural turning point.
From the moment the nominees were announced, KPop Demon Hunters felt like a sure bet. But as award shows go, being the fan-favourite doesn’t always mean you walk away with hardware. That’s what made this win all the more electrifying — the Critics’ Choice Awards gave KPop Demon Hunters the double crown it so clearly earned, validating months of buzz and breaking one more record on the film’s already overflowing list.
The first award of the night came for Best Song, thanks to the emotional gut-punch that is “Golden. With vocals by EJAE, the voice of Rumi, who co-wrote the track with Mark Sonnenblick, the track became a generational anthem in 2025. It spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the longest-running chart-topper by an animated act in history. On stage, EJAE delivered one of the night’s most memorable speeches, saying: “The song needed to be an expression of hope to convince herself that she could write and reach for her dreams. In many ways, it did the same for me.” That single moment summed up what KPop Demon Hunters has done for its audience — created something that feels real in an entirely unreal world.
The second win came as the cast and creative team gathered to accept Best Animated Feature, a category often dominated by legacy studios. But KPop Demon Hunters, with its kaleidoscopic fight sequences, sharp humour, and stylised world-building, flipped the script. Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film didn’t just honour K-pop aesthetics; it elevated them! From the stunning visual transitions to the combat choreography that echoed real-life idol training regimens, every frame was purposeful, maximalist, and unforgettable.
The Critics’ Choice Awards win officially puts KPop Demon Hunters on track for what could be a history-making run at the Oscars. But more than that, it cements what the fans have always known: This isn’t just an animated film, it’s the animated film of a generation.
More than just a movie
Following its Critics’ Choice Awards triumph, KPop Demon Hunters isn’t just winning trophies; it’s rewriting the playbook for what animated films can be. It’s now Netflix’s most-watched title of all time, clocking over 541 million hours globally. The soundtrack also cracked multiple records, with “Golden” holding a historic five-week reign at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. That’s not just K-pop impact — that’s a global cultural eruption!
Much of the film’s magic lies in its cast. The cast panel held earlier in the year quickly went viral, with fans applauding how closely the performers mirrored their characters’ energy. EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami — the triple-threat singing voices behind the fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X — brought a livewire dynamic to the stage that rivalled any real-world idol group. Their Critics’ Choice red carpet appearance only solidified the buzz, especially when the trio turned up in some of the best off-stage outfits of the night — a futuristic take on traditional hanbok fused with cyberpunk edge that fashion insiders are still talking about.
Do you think KPop Demon Hunters is set for more awards season triumphs?
(Main Image: Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Featured Image: JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images)
(By Prestige)
