No one saw “KPop Demon Hunters” coming as a massive cultural phenomenon, not even Netflix. Though its trailer had drawn some early curiosity due to its stylish animation and poppy energy, I don’t think anyone anticipated how much of a sensation this film would become. Half a year later, it is now a Grammy-nominated film, Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time, and the clear frontrunner for Best Animated Feature. It’s not hard to see why: the film has an earworm of a soundtrack, memorable characters, lovingly Asian influences, and unapologetically feminine characters. In that regard, its particular popularity among young girls is all too understandable. With the sheer passion surrounding the film, it seemed all too easy just a few days ago to say this year’s Best Animated Feature race was locked up for the streamer and its prized pony.
Yet on Tuesday, the BAFTAs announced that “KPop Demon Hunters” would be ineligible to be nominated due to the film’s lack of a qualifying theatrical release. This awards body was likely to be the film’s biggest obstacle to the Oscar; if there is a close race for Best Animated Feature, it tends not to award the more populist pick. Take “Klaus,” “The Boy and the Heron,” and “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl,” beating “Toy Story 4,” “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” and “The Wild Robot” respectively in recent years. But with “Zootopia 2” sight unseen, there were no indications that this category would be a race, so many of us naturally assumed “KPop Demon Hunters” would just steamroll and take Critics’ Choice, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and eventually the Oscar. Now, a major precursor is up for grabs. And considering the BAFTA winners are announced before Oscar winner voting begins, that could cause a late surge for another film that stops “KPop Demon Hunters’s” momentum.
With the perceived frontrunner now out of the picture at BAFTA, what film benefits most? If “Zootopia 2” is generally well-liked by both audiences and critics, it makes sense in theory as the biggest beneficiary of this shocking absence. But theory only gets you so far, especially considering the only animated film sequels to win Best Animated Feature are in the “Toy Story” franchise. Additionally, it would be strange for “Zootopia 2” to win the BAFTA when the first film lost there to “Kubo and the Two Strings” despite going on to win the Oscar. While “Zootopia 2” on paper feels like “KPop Demon Hunters’” most significant threat, the awards bodies likeliest to support it (PGA and the Critics’ Choice) are also the likeliest to support its competition. While the first “Zootopia” was a global box office success, its commercial appeal was undeniably American. With the Golden Globes and BAFTA heading in a more international direction in recent years, I find it unlikely that “Zootopia 2” would be able to capitalize on “KPop Demon Hunters’” weaknesses or surpass the film in its home turf. So though its legacy makes it an almost certain nominee in Best Animated Feature, it would be an odd winner at any of the major precursors. Of course, if “Zootopia 2” outright mirrors the level of phenomenon of the first film and has a similarly political edge to it, the film could be nipping on “KPop Demon Hunters’” heels! But as I have stated earlier, animated film sequels rarely perform as well as their predecessors; even “Toy Story 4,” which ultimately won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars, lost the Golden Globe and the BAFTA, while “Toy Story 3” swept the major precursors and was nominated for Best Picture.
However, two independent, original animated films premiered at Cannes this year that have gradually racked up buzz in this category: “Arco” and “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain.” After premiering at Cannes, they have been consistently screened on the festival circuit to increasing acclaim. “Arco” has drawn praise for its wondrous animation and thoughtful observations about our relationship with technology, while “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” is beloved for how tenderly and imaginatively it unpacks its existential themes. There is a path for either of these films to win BAFTA, but I would give NEON’s “Arco” the edge simply because it has more buzz around it and the backing of a stronger studio behind it. “Zootopia 2” could still win there, of course. Still, I suspect that the absence of the frontrunner will further embolden BAFTA voters to spoil their ballots for one of these international indie darlings.
With that being said, I would not predict the BAFTA animated feature winner unless it also won the Golden Globe. “KPop Demon Hunters” has a combination of critical acclaim, audience passion, undeniable popularity, and industry recognition that will be difficult to beat this year. If it wins the American precursors (Critics’ Choice, Annie Awards, and PGA) and the Golden Globe, the global adoration for the film is unlikely to be derailed by another film’s BAFTA win, especially since it was not in contention. However, for the past two years, the presumed American frontrunner, who lost the Golden Globe and the BAFTA, has gone on to lose the Oscar despite its strength at these American precursors. “Flow” only won the Golden Globe and the Annie for Animated Film (Independent) before winning the Oscar. Still, it was able to take advantage of “The Wild Robot’s” weakness with international voters. Thus, with BAFTA no longer being a possibility for “KPop Demon Hunters,” the crucial award it must win is now the Golden Globe. A win for “Arco,” “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,” “Zootopia 2,” or any other animated film at BAFTA could be viewed as nothing more than a runner-up prize should the Netflix juggernaut sweep the awards it is eligible for. However, if “KPop Demon Hunters” shows weakness internationally with a Golden Globe loss, history may repeat itself, with the most popular American film ultimately losing to a film with more global support in the industry, rather than among the general population.
Have you seen “KPop Demon Hunters” yet? If so, what do you think of it and its ineligibility for BAFTA? Which other Best Animated Feature Film contender do you think benefits the most for this in the Oscar race? Please let us know in the comments section below and on Next Best Picture’s X account and check out the team’s latest Oscar predictions here.
You can follow Amy and hear more of her thoughts on the Oscars & Film on X @AmyHayneKim
