Talk about “Golden”!<\/p>\n
Just days after KPop Demon Hunters<\/em> claimed the top spot in Gold Derby’s Golden Globe nonination predictions<\/a>, it is now the top contender at the 2026 Oscars<\/a>, too.<\/p>\n More from Gold Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n Netflix’s empowering musical film about a trio of demon fighters \u2014 who are all about to be merchandised to death by Mattel and Hasbro \u2014 now has a leading 95.9 percent for a nomination in the Best Animated Feature category. Disney’s animal-themed sequel, Zootopia 2<\/em>, which had been leading for much of the season despite not yet being screened for critics, is a fraction behind at 95.8 percent.<\/p>\n Contender<\/p>\n Odds<\/p>\n 1.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n KPop Demon Hunters<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n KPop Demon Hunters<\/p>\n 96.0%<\/p>\n 2.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Zootopia 2<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Zootopia 2<\/p>\n 95.7%<\/p>\n 3.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Arco<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Arco<\/p>\n 87.4%<\/p>\n 4.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Scarlet<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Scarlet<\/p>\n 66.8%<\/p>\n 5.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Elio 200<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Elio<\/p>\n 58.6%<\/p>\n The original Zootopia<\/em> claimed victory at the 2017 Academy Awards, but the second installment won’t hit theaters until Nov. 26. Comparatively, KPop Demon Hunters<\/em> has been viewed by a lot<\/em> of people. Not only is it Netflix’s most-watched original film of all time with 325 million global views, but a sing-along version made $18 million in theaters over a two-day period in August, and is returning for a Halloween engagement between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2. In addition, the soundtrack, which features the Oscar-eligible song “Golden,” has amassed 8.3 billion streams.<\/p>\n Rounding out Gold Derby’s predicted Oscar nominees for the Best Animated Feature: Neon’s Arco<\/em> (87.3 percent), Toho’s Scarlet<\/em> (67.2 percent), and Pixar’s Elio<\/em> (58.5 percent). If our predictions pan out, that would mean Zootopia 2<\/em> is the sole sequel in this year’s lineup. The only sequels to ever win this category were Toy Story 3<\/em> (2010) and Toy Story 4<\/em> (2019).<\/p>\n KPop Demon Hunters<\/em> tells the story of the girl band Huntr\/x, which comprising lead singer Rumi with purple locks (Arden Cho<\/strong> is the speaking voice and Ejae<\/strong> is the singing voice); dancer-choreographer Mira with pink pigtails (May Hong<\/strong> is the speaking voice and Audrey Nuna<\/strong> is the singing voice); and rapper-lyricist Zoey with black hair (Ji-young Yoo<\/strong> is the speaking voice and Rei Ami<\/strong> is the singing voice).<\/p>\n Action figures, games (including Monopoly<\/em>), accessories, etc. will hit toy stores in 2026, and fans can preorder them starting next month. Mattel and Hasbro call their lucrative marketing deal with the Netflix film a “first-of-its-kind collaboration” that is indisputably “for the fans.”<\/p>\n The Oscar nominations will be announced Jan. 22, and the ceremony will take place March 15, with Conan O’Brien<\/strong> once again serving as host.<\/p>\n Make your predictions<\/a> at Gold Derby right now to help influence our odds.<\/p>\n Best of Gold Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n Sign up for Gold Derby’s Newsletter<\/a>. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\nBest Animated Feature<\/h3>\n
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