K-Pop Demon Hunters and Zootopia 2 Top Animated Oscar Contenders: Will There Be Another Surprise Like Flow?
Last year’s surprising win for the Best Animated Feature Oscar went to Flow, which outperformed major contenders such as Pixar’s Inside Out 2 and DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot. The dialogue-free narrative, which centers on a cat’s survival in a post-apocalyptic setting, emphasized that animation can transcend traditional boundaries and appeal to diverse audiences.
This victory signaled a shift among voters, who are increasingly favoring innovative storytelling over mere popularity. The upcoming award season features a diverse range of frontrunners, including new releases like Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters and highly anticipated sequels such as Disney’s Zootopia 2.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’
Netflix
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, KPop Demon Hunters follows the K-pop girl group Huntr/x, who lead double lives as demon hunters combating a rival boy band, the Saja Boys, who are actually demons. The film draws on Korean mythology and modern pop culture, rapidly gaining popularity and recognition. One of the group’s tracks, “Golden,” topped the Spotify charts and received four Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year.
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‘In Your Dreams’
Netflix
Streaming since June, KPop Demon Hunters became Netflix’s most-watched original animated film by July, eventually claiming the title of the platform’s most popular offering by September. While popularity does not guarantee an Oscar win, the film’s reception reflects the current trend of growing interest in K-pop and Korean culture.
In addition to KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix is also promoting In Your Dreams, directed by Erik Benson and Alex Woo. This animated adventure features siblings Stevie (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and Elliot (Elias Janssen) as they journey through a fantastical dream world in pursuit of the Sandman, who can grant wishes. Stevie’s quest for a perfect family serves as a poignant reminder to appreciate what one already has.
‘Arco‘
Neon/courtesy Everett Collection
Two French-language films are also vying for recognition this year: Arco and Little Amélie or the Character of Rain. Arco features a boy named Arco (Oscar Tresanini) from 2932 who unknowingly travels back to 2075, where he meets Iris (Margot Ringard Oldra), who helps him navigate his journey home. Directed by Ugo Bienvenu and produced by Natalie Portman, the film is noted for its hand-drawn animation, often likened to the works of Hayao Miyazaki.
In contrast, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain explores Japanese culture through the eyes of a young Belgian girl. Adapted from Amélie Nothomb’s novel, the film, directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, follows Amélie (Loïse Charpentier) as she escapes a vegetative state just before her second birthday, believing she possesses godlike powers over those around her. The narrative delves into profound themes such as death and war, seen through the lens of a child’s awakening to the world.
From Japan, celebrated director Mamoru Hosoda, previously nominated for Mirai in 2018, has introduced Scarlet. This reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet features a medieval sword-fighting princess named Scarlet (Mana Ashida), who embarks on a journey across time and space to avenge her father’s death. In a turn of events, she meets a modern man who reveals a life free from vengeance. Hosoda employs 3D animation techniques in Scarlet that offer a distinct visual flair.
‘Zootopia 2’
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
This year’s race includes Disney’s highly anticipated Zootopia 2 and Pixar’s sci-fi adventure Elio. Directed by Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi, Elio follows an 11-year-old boy named Elio (Yonas Kibreab), who mistakenly becomes Earth’s ambassador after contacting aliens. The film’s innovative animation techniques, involving new lighting systems and virtual lenses, enhance its otherworldly setting, despite box office expectations not being met.
Zootopia 2, meanwhile, was considered a top contender for the Oscar even prior to its release. Anticipation grew with the early launch of Shakira’s new single, “Zoo,” co-written with Ed Sheeran and Blake Slatkin. Shakira returns as the pop star Gazelle, having also contributed to the original film.
As a sequel to the Oscar-winning Zootopia from 2016, Zootopia 2 reunites rabbit cop Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and her fox partner Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) as they tackle a new conspiracy involving a snake named Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan). Their partnership is tested as they go undercover and explore new parts of Zootopia to uncover the latest plot.
While the original film’s success bodes well, it does not guarantee a repeat; only the Toy Story franchise has achieved back-to-back Oscar wins, with Toy Story 3 in 2010 and Toy Story 4 in 2019. This raises the question: will voters again favor innovation over familiarity, echoing last year’s decision in favor of Flow?
