Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters and Pixar’s Elio emerged as the top contenders for the 53rd Annie Awards, earning 10 nominations each and setting the pace for this year’s animation honours.
Both films are nominated for Best Feature, alongside Little Amélie, The Bad Guys 2, and Zootopia 2. The same titles also appear in the Best Character Animation – Feature category, underscoring their broad recognition across creative disciplines.
“KPop Demon Hunters” has become a breakout hit on Netflix, praised for its bold visual style and culturally grounded storytelling. Co-director Maggie Kang has stated that the project was driven by a desire to present Korean culture authentically, while creating female lead characters that are distinctly Korean and aspirational.
Pixar’s “Elio,” produced by Pixar Animation Studios, follows an orphaned boy obsessed with space who dreams of being abducted by aliens. Directors Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian drew inspiration from classic science-fiction films, including Close Encounters of the Third Kind, blending emotional storytelling with large-scale cosmic imagery.
On the television side, Pixar’s Win or Lose led with six nominations, including Best TV/Media – Limited Series. Nickelodeon’s Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles followed with three nominations, continuing the franchise’s strong showing in animation awards.
DreamWorks Animation’s “The Bad Guys 2,” which earned five nominations, was also highlighted for expanding the scope of the original film into a larger, globe-trotting heist adventure. Director Pierre Perifel has described the sequel as a playful take on classic action and spy-film tropes.
The Annie Awards are widely viewed as a key indicator in the animated feature awards race, with past winners often going on to secure major honors later in the season. Last year’s Best Independent Feature winner, Flow, ultimately took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
The 53rd Annual Annie Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 21, bringing together the animation industry to celebrate the year’s most acclaimed films and series.
