Netflix's animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters' has won Best Animated Feature and Best Song at the 31st Critics Choice Awards. The movie beat strong contenders from Disney and Pixar to claim both prizes. Its soundtrack has also re-entered the Billboard 200 at No. 3, underscoring its popularity.
The 31st Critics Choice Awards took place on January 4, 2026, in Santa Monica, California. 'KPop Demon Hunters,' directed by Korean-Canadian filmmaker Maggie Kang, won Best Animated Feature, defeating Disney's 'Zootopia 2,' Pixar's 'Elio,' 'In Your Dreams,' and 'Arco.' The film follows a fictional K-pop girl group, Huntr/x, who use their music to battle evil spirits and save the world.
The movie's theme song 'Golden' also secured the Best Song award, with Ejae and Mark Sonnenblick accepting the honor at the ceremony. These wins have elevated the film's profile as a strong contender for the Academy Awards.
Meanwhile, the soundtrack jumped seven spots to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. Despite an 18 percent drop in weekly consumption, it earned 51,000 equivalent album units, driven by steady streaming. Taylor Swift's 'The Life of a Showgirl' held the No. 1 spot for its 12th non-consecutive week.
The achievements highlight the growing global influence of Korean culture.