Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters may be a frontrunner at the Oscars, but that won’t be the case for the BAFTAs. Despite a formal appeal by Netflix, the Sony Pictures Animation-produced hit has been ruled ineligible by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, Variety has confirmed.
The animated blockbuster, which has dominated pop culture this year, was expected to compete widely across awards season. However, BAFTA eligibility rules require films to have a qualifying theatrical release. Under “exceptional circumstances,” the Film Committee may allow entries that have been made available to the U.K. public through other distribution models, such as event cinema.
Netflix appealed under this clause, arguing that the film’s event-style theatrical run — though held two months after its streaming debut — warranted consideration. But BAFTA’s Film Committee rejected the appeal, stating that the film did not meet the eligibility criteria. Specifically, the film failed to achieve the minimum requirement of “at least 10 commercial screenings in the U.K. for at least seven days in aggregate.”
In the U.S., KPop Demon Hunters had a qualifying theatrical run ahead of its Netflix release. In the U.K., however, the film debuted exclusively on the streamer on June 20. Netflix later gave it a limited theatrical release across 264 cinemas on August 23 and 24, before expanding to 528 theatres over Halloween weekend. Netflix was hoping to secure an exemption to BAFTA rules by submitting the movie following its theatrical release in 264 UK cinemas on August 23 and 24. KPop Demon Hunters later also played 528 UK movie houses across Halloween weekend.
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BAFTA’s Film Committee ultimately ruled that the release pattern of the film did not meet the eligibility requirements. Had Netflix released KPop Demon Hunters day-and-date with streaming, however, the film would have been eligible, we understand.
Despite the setback, KPop Demon Hunters remains one of the biggest cultural phenomena of the year. The film became the most-watched title in Netflix history, amassing over 541 million hours viewed worldwide and grossing an estimated $25 million domestically. It also scored five Grammy nominations, with its breakout original song “Golden,” performed by K-pop group Huntr/x, earning three nominations including Song of the Year. The soundtrack — which also includes singles “Your Idol” and “Soda Pop” — continues to chart on Billboard’s Hot 100, solidifying the film’s crossover success.
The KPop Demon Hunters IP has proven so powerful that Netflix sealed global toy licensing deals with Mattel and Hasbro, both serving as co-master licensees.
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film follows Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) — members of the world-renowned K-pop group Huntr/x, who secretly lead double lives as demon hunters. When their biggest demonic enemy (Lee Byung-hun) forms a rival boy band to steal the souls of their fans, the trio must balance fame, friendship, and supernatural warfare.
Since both BAFTA and the Oscars began honoring animated features, no film has ever won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature without first securing a BAFTA nomination. Whether KPop Demon Hunters can break that streak remains to be seen, but its absence from BAFTA consideration could leave room for other contenders like Disney’s Zootopia 2, Neon’s Arco, or GKids’ Little Amélie or the Character of Rain to gain ground.
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Netflix will still be represented at the BAFTAs through Alex Woo’s In Your Dreams, which the streamer will submit in the Best Animated Feature category.
Meanwhile, Netflix and Sony are keeping the momentum alive — the studios are already developing a sequel, currently slated for release in 2029.
