‘Kpop Demon Hunters’ strikes gold at Critics Choice Awards, as ‘Heated Rivalry’ gets a shout-out

By Canadian Press on January 5, 2026.

“KPop Demon Hunters” is off to a golden start this awards season.

The hit Netflix fantasy film created by Korean-Canadian Maggie Kang earned several wins at Sunday night’s Critics Choice Awards, including best animated feature and best original song for “Golden.”

Other Canadian winners included Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who took home the award for best comedy series for their Apple TV Plus cringe comedy “The Studio.” Rogen also picked up an acting award for the series.

Meanwhile, Canadians Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau won best production design for their work on Guillermo Del Toronto’s horror-fantasy “Frankenstein,” while Toronto’s Jordan Samuel and Cliona Furey were among the team that took home best hair and makeup for the film.

Action thriller “One Battle After Another” claimed best picture, while Paul Thomas Anderson was named best director for the film.

The awards show was hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler, who gave a nod to Crave’s hit series “Heated Rivalry” during her opening monologue.

“You guys made amazing, original shows that everyone couldn’t stop talking about — until that gay hockey show from Canada came along,” she said while praising the show, which debuted in November and attracted a huge following over the holidays.

“Shoutout to ‘Heated Rivalry’; everyone loves it: Gay men love it, women love it, straight men who say they aren’t gay but work out at Equinox love it!”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2025.

Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press