The Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film at the 2026 Academy Awards was won by “KPop Demon Hunters.”

Quick Scoop: Who Won Best Animated Film in 2026?

  • The 98th Academy Awards were held on March 15, 2026.
  • “KPop Demon Hunters” took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
  • The film is a Netflix production directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans.

It beat out several high-profile contenders that had been heavily predicted in awards coverage throughout awards season.

Why “KPop Demon Hunters” Was a Big Deal

  • It mixed 2D anime-style visuals with 3D CGI to create a high-energy, music-driven action look.
  • The story follows a South Korean girl group, HUNTR/X, battling demons, a rival boy band, and the pressures of idol life and personal shame.
  • The movie became both a box-office and streaming hit and had major music-chart impact.

Critics and awards pundits had already flagged it as “the one to beat” in the animated category long before the ceremony.

Awards Season Momentum

Before Oscar night, “KPop Demon Hunters” had already:

  • Won at the Critics Choice Awards for animated feature.
  • Scored major nominations and wins at the Annie Awards (animation’s top industry awards).
  • Picked up key recognition from the Producers Guild, a strong predictor for the Oscars.

This awards “sweep” made its eventual Oscar victory feel like the culmination of a season-long wave of momentum.

Extra Highlight: Its Oscar Night Impact

  • At the 98th Academy Awards, “KPop Demon Hunters” not only won Best Animated Feature but also fueled one of the night’s biggest cultural conversations around K-pop and animation.
  • Its song “Golden” became a Grammy-winning hit and also took the Oscar for Best Original Song the same night.

So, if you’re tracking “who won best animated film in 2026” for the latest news or forum discussions, the clear answer and trending title is “KPop Demon Hunters.”

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.