Annie Awards 2026 Winners List Honoring Animated Films, TV Shows & Video Games

The animated film KPop Demon Hunters achieved a stunning victory at the 53rd annual Annie Awards on Saturday night, dominating the ceremony and potentially setting the stage for a strong showing at the upcoming Academy Awards.

A Night of Sweeps

Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters won all 10 of the categories for which it was nominated, including the coveted Best Feature award. Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans were recognised for their direction, and Arden Cho took home the award for Best Voice Acting as Rumi. The film, which has been viewed over 482 million times, also secured wins for Production Design, Best Music, Best Writing, Character Design, Character Animation, FX, and editorial.

Did You Know? KPop Demon Hunters’ soundtrack has been streamed a remarkable 11 billion times.

Industry Recognition

The Annie Awards, established in 1972, honor the most talented artists and storytellers in the animation industry. Historically, 14 of the 23 Best Feature winners at the Annies have gone on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, with seven successes in the last 13 years. However, last year saw a departure from this trend.

Other Winners and Notable Snubs

While KPop Demon Hunters was the clear victor, other productions also received recognition. Neon’s Acro won Best Feature – Independent. Netflix’s Love, Death + Robots added three more Annie Awards to its already impressive collection of 17 Emmy wins. Pixar’s Win or Lose and Adult Swim’s Common Side Effects each secured three awards as well.

Despite receiving 10 nominations, Disney/Pixar’s Elio did not win any awards. Similarly, Walt Disney Studios’ Zootopia 2, the highest-grossing Hollywood animated film of all time, was shut out of the awards. DreamWorks Animation’s The Bad Guys took home the Storyboarding award.

Expert Insight: The overwhelming success of KPop Demon Hunters at the Annie Awards significantly elevates its prospects for the Academy Awards, though past results demonstrate that an Annie win does not guarantee an Oscar.

Honoring Lifetime Achievement

The evening also celebrated significant contributions to the animation industry with the Winsor McCay Awards. Christopher Miller and Phil Lord of the Spider-Verse and Lego Movie franchises, Michaël Dudok de Wit (The Red Turtle), and Chris Sanders were all honored for their lifetime achievements. Sandy Rabins received the June Foray Award for her positive impact on the industry, and Wacom was recognised with the Ub Iwerks Award for technical achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the Annie Awards?

The Annie Awards recognize the most talented artists and storytellers in the animation industry, and have historically been a strong indicator of potential success at the Academy Awards.

Which film won Best Feature at the Annie Awards?

KPop Demon Hunters won Best Feature at the 53rd annual Annie Awards.

Who received a Winsor McCay Award?

Christopher Miller, Phil Lord, Michaël Dudok de Wit, and Chris Sanders each received a Winsor McCay Award for lifetime achievement.

Given the impressive performance of KPop Demon Hunters at the Annie Awards, what impact might this have on the upcoming Academy Awards nominations and potential wins?