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Chris Appelhans

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Chris Appelhans
Appelhans in 2026
Born
Christopher Appelhans

1980 or 1981 (age 45–46)
Firth, Idaho, U.S.
Alma materArtCenter College of Design (BFA)
Occupations
  • Film director
  • writer
  • illustrator
  • designer
Years active2006–present
Notable work
Spouse
​
(m. 2012)​
Children1

Christopher Appelhans (born 1980 or 1981)[1] is an American filmmaker, illustrator, and designer.[2] He is best known as the writer and director of Wish Dragon (2021) and KPop Demon Hunters (2025), which he co-directed and wrote with Maggie Kang. The latter earned them two Annie Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award.

He has also illustrated two children's books, A Greyhound, a Groundhog and Sparky!, the latter of which won the Children's Choice Book Award in 2015.

Early life and education

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Appelhans was born in Firth, Idaho,[3][4]: 2:18  to Kristi and Anthony Appelhans.[1] His paternal great-grandfather, Clemens Appelhans, emigrated from a German village in Russia to a homestead near Sterling, Colorado, in 1905.[3]

At the age of four, the family moved to Idaho Falls, where Appelhans attended Taylorview Middle School and Idaho Falls High School.[1] He grew up playing Dungeons & Dragons, and enjoyed writing and storytelling. While he also liked drawing as a part of storytelling, he was not passionate about it growing up.[4]

In his junior year of high school, he was encouraged to pursue visual art as a career by a family friend who taught at Ricks College, which had a feeder program with the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California.[1][4] After graduating from high school in 1998, Appelhans studied illustration at ArtCenter and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2002.[5][6] By the end of his studies, Appelhans became drawn to the idea of working on children's literature and film on the grounds that children judged works on merit rather than their creator.[4]

Film career

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Early career and directorial debut (2006–2021)

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Appelhans began his career in film as a character designer and concept artist on Monster House (2006);[1] he was hired after his online portfolio was discovered by Lucasfilm production designer Doug Chiang, who, despite having never met Appelhans, referred him to ImageMovers, one of the production companies working on Monster House.[4]

According to Appelhans, he continued to work as a production designer and artist for "seven or eight years" before realizing his strength and passion was in story writing.[7] Shortly after, he pitched a live-action film to the executives at ImageMovers, who bought the idea and, at the direction of owner Robert Zemeckis, hired Appelhans to write the screenplay.[4][7] The job was Appelhans's first foray into screenwriting, which he says was a learning experience and "wasn't particularly good".[7] By the time he had completed and submitted the screenplay, ImageMovers had ended their partnership with The Walt Disney Company and the project did not move forward.[4] In 2012, Appelhans's concept was announced to be the basis of Disney's The Magic Catalogue, a sci-fi adventure film about a group of teens discovering a cache of high-tech weapons. The film was to be produced by Zemeckis's ImageMovers and written by Jason Fuchs.[8] In the following years, Appelhans sold and developed another screenplay for Laika, which was also not greenlit.[7] He described the time in the lead up to his first film as "six to eight years in the wilderness learning how to write – learning what a story was, learning how to construct a 90-minute feature and living through it."[7]

In 2018, Appelhans was announced as the director and writer of the animated film Wish Dragon for Sony Pictures Animation, in his writing and directorial debut.[9] The film is about a college student's encounter with a dragon who has the power to grant three wishes; it was based on his friendship with Michael Wu, a cousin of his colleague he met during a visit to China in 2014.[1][4] Wish Dragon was released theatrically in China on January 15, 2021,[10] and on Netflix internationally on June 11, 2021.[11]

KPop Demon Hunters and subsequent success (2021–present)

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Following the production of Wish Dragon, its producer Aron Warner introduced Appelhans to Maggie Kang, who had first pitched Warner the idea that eventually became KPop Demon Hunters, an animated film about a K-pop girl group that hunts demons secretly.[12] Appelhans had also worked with Kang's husband, Radford Sechrist, on Wish Dragon.[7][13] According to Kang, she and Appelhans met over lunch and "bonded immediately";[13] Appelhans had planned on taking a break after Wish Dragon, but changed his mind after their initial conversation.[14] He stated that he "always wanted to do a film about the power of music—to unite, bring joy, build community".[15] KPop Demon Hunters was officially announced in April 2021 by Sony Pictures Animation with Kang and Appelhans as co-directors and writers.[13][15] Production wrapped four years later in 2025, and the film was released on Netflix on June 20, 2025.[13] The film became Netflix's most watched animated movie of all time by July 2025,[16] and eventually Netflix's most-watched title at 266 million views by September, overtaking the first season of Squid Game (2021).[17]

In March 2026, Netflix and Sony Picture Animation announced that Appelhans and Kang will return to direct and write a sequel for KPop Demon Hunters, with plans for a release in 2029.[18] Puck reported that, due to the success of the film, Kang and Appelhans successfully negotiated a five-year, $10 million per annum contract with Netflix for the sequel, which includes a share of ancillary revenue from the franchise.[19]

Illustration career

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Aside from his work in film, Appelhans has also illustrated children's books. His first book was Sparky! by Jenny Offill, which won the Children's Choice Book Award in 2015.[20] In 2017, he illustrated A Greyhound, a Groundhog, by Emily Jenkins.[21]

Filmography

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Year Title Credited as Notes
Director Writer Storyboard artist Other
2006 Monster House No No No Yes Character designer,[22] concept artist[1]
2008 City of Ember No No No Yes Concept artist[22]
2009 Coraline No No No Yes Illustrator[22]
2009 Fantastic Mr. Fox No No No Yes Environment designer[22]
2009 The Princess and the Frog No No No Yes Visual development artist[22]
2011 Puss in Boots No No No Yes Visual development artist[22]
2012 Rise of the Guardians No No No Yes Additional story material, character designer[22]
2016 The Angry Birds Movie No No No Yes Additional artist[22]
2019 Wonder Park No No Yes No [22]
2021 Wish Dragon Yes Yes No Yes Film debut
Voice role: Hot Towel Waiter and Nomani Retailer[23]
2025 KPop Demon Hunters Yes Yes No No [22]

Television shows

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Year Title Network Role Notes
2026 Welcome, First Time in Korea? MBC every1 Guest Travelers[24]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2010 Annie Awards Production Design in a Feature Production Coraline – Chris Appelhans Nominated [25]
2015 Children's Choice Book Awards Children's Choice Illustrator of the Year Sparky! – Chris Appelhans Won [26]
2021 Golden Rooster Awards Best Animated Feature Wish Dragon (with Aron Warner, Chris Bremble, Jackie Chan) Nominated [27]
Ursa Major Awards Best Motion Picture Wish Dragon – Chris Appelhans Nominated [28]
2025 Alliance of Women Film Journalists Best Animated Feature KPop Demon Hunters (with Maggie Kang) Won [29]
IndieWire Honors Spark Award KPop Demon Hunters (with Maggie Kang and Ejae) Honored [30]
Korean Association of Film Critics Awards FIPRESCI Award (Foreign) KPop Demon Hunters (with Maggie Kang) Won [31]
SCAD AnimationFest Impact Award Honored [32]
Toronto Film Critics Association Best Animated Feature Runner-up [33]
World Animation Summit Movie of the Year Award Honored [34]
2026 Academy Awards Best Animated Feature KPop Demon Hunters (with Maggie Kang and Michelle Wong) Won [35]
Annie Awards Best Direction – Feature KPop Demon Hunters (with Maggie Kang) Won [36]
Best Writing – Feature KPop Demon Hunters (with Maggie Kang, Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan) Won
Astra Film Awards Best Animated Feature KPop Demon Hunters (with Maggie Kang and Michelle Wong) Won [37]
Chicago Indie Critics Best Animated Film Won [38]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Animated Feature Won [39]
Golden Globe Awards Best Motion Picture – Animated Won [40]
Hugo Awards Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form KPop Demon Hunters (with Maggie Kang, Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan) Pending [41]
Humanitas Prize Family Feature Pending [42]
International Cinephile Society Best Animated Film KPop Demon Hunters (with Maggie Kang) Nominated [43]
Latino Entertainment Journalists Association Best Animated Feature Won [44]
North Dakota Film Society KPop Demon Hunters (with Maggie Kang and Michelle Wong) Won [45]

Listicles

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Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Creative 2026 Creative 100 Directors (with Maggie Kang) Included [46]

Personal life

[edit]

Appelhans met author Maurene Goo while they were students at the ArtCenter College of Design.[1] They married in 2012,[1] and have one son.[47]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Nelson, Rett (January 30, 2026). "Filmmaker behind Netflix's 'most-watched original title' grew up in Idaho Falls". East Idaho News. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Sketchtravel TV, Chris Appelhans". www.sketchtravel.tv. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Kloberdanz, Tim (March 17, 2026). "Movie director with Sterling connections wins the Oscar and other top film honors". Sterling Journal-Advocate. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Appelhans, Chris (June 24, 2021). "First Draft Episode #310: Chris Appelhans". First Draft with Sarah Enni (podcast). Interviewed by Sarah Enni.
  5. ↑ Thorington, Jakob (January 21, 2022). "Local filmmaker directs one of Netflix's most watched movies of 2021". Idaho State Journal. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Oscar-Winning Alumnus Returns to Pasadena's ArtCenter for Entertainment Design Expo". Pasadena Now. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appelhans, Chris (September 24, 2025). "Director Chris Appelhans talks 'KPop Demon Hunters' ahead of SCAD AnimationFest". Rough Draft Atlanta (Interview). Interviewed by Sammie Purcell.
  8. ↑ Sneider, Marc Graser,Jeff (October 9, 2012). "Jason Fuchs to write 'Magic Catalogue' for Disney". Variety. Retrieved March 8, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ Frater, Patrick (April 23, 2018). "Jackie Chan, China's BaseFX Making 'Wish Dragon' for Sony Animation". Variety. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Wish Dragon". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  11. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (April 27, 2021). "Netflix Snags Sony's 'Vivo', Previews Summer Animation Slate". Animation Magazine. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  12. ↑ Kim, Regina (July 21, 2025). "'KPop Demon Hunters' Took 7 Years to Make but a Lifetime of Experience". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 21, 2025. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Kay, Jeremy (January 13, 2026). "How pandemic-era BTS concerts and Korean folklore inspired 'KPop Demon Hunters'". Screen Daily. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  14. ↑ Gaur, Ryan (June 13, 2025). "The Directors of 'KPop: Demon Hunters' Take Us Backstage of Their Netflix/Sony Showstopper". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  15. 1 2 Donnelly, Matt (March 8, 2021). "Animated Musical About Demon Hunting K-Pop Girl Group in the Works at Sony (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  16. ↑ Briscuso, Lex (July 30, 2025). "Happy Gilmore 2 Secures Biggest U.S. Opening Weekend of All Time for a Netflix Film, KPop Demon Hunters Now the Most Popular Netflix Animated Film of All Time". IGN. Archived from the original on August 2, 2025. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  17. ↑ Hwiseon, Yeon (September 3, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters Surpasses Squid Game in Netflix Viewership". The Chosun Ilbo. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  18. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (March 12, 2026). "'KPop Demon Hunters 2' Confirmed by Netflix and Sony: 'This Is Only the Beginning'". Variety. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  19. ↑ Belloni, Matthew (March 20, 2026). "Netflix's 'KPop' Sequel Megadeals". Puck. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  20. ↑ Strickland, Ashley (May 5, 2015). "Meet the Children's Choice Book Award winners". CNN. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Let's Talk Illustrators #11: Chris Appelhans". Let's Talk Picture Books. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Chris Appelhans". TVGuide.com. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Chris Appelhans (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Welcome, First Time in Korea?". May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  25. ↑ "37th Annual Annie Award Nominations Announced". December 1, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  26. ↑ "2015 Children's Choice Book Award Winners Announced". May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  27. ↑ "34th Golden Rooster Awards". December 30, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  28. ↑ dronon (March 18, 2022). "Voting is open for the 2021 Ursa Major Awards". Flayrah. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  29. ↑ "The 2025 Alliance Of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) EDA Award Nominations". Archived from the original on December 30, 2025. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  30. ↑ Jones, Marcus (November 12, 2025). "IndieWire Honors to Toast Adam Sandler, Kristen Stewart, Chase Infiniti, and More". IndieWire. Archived from the original on November 13, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  31. ↑ Seong, Chan-eol (November 6, 2025). "시상식은 없었지만 수상 라인업은 화려 ...45회 영평상 수상작·자 발표" [There Was No Awards Ceremony, but the Lineup of Winners Was Impressive ... The 45th Critics Choice Awards Winners Announced]. Cineplay. Archived from the original on November 13, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  32. ↑ Davis, Victoria (October 9, 2025). "Chris Appelhans Reflects on 'KPop Demon Hunters' and SCAD Impact Award". Animation World Network. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  33. ↑ "One Battle After Another Leads 2025 TFCA Awards Winners". Toronto Film Critics Association. December 7, 2025. Archived from the original on December 8, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  34. ↑ "The World Animation Summit Reveals 2025 Hall of Fame Honorees". Animation Magazine. October 3, 2025. Archived from the original on October 24, 2025. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  35. ↑ "The 98th Academy Awards | (2026)". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on February 8, 2026. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  36. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (January 5, 2026). "2026 Annie Awards Nominations: 'Elio,' 'Kpop Demon Hunters' Lead Film Nods". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 22, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  37. ↑ Williams, Aidan (January 9, 2025). "Astra Film Awards Recap: "Sinners," "KPop Demon Hunters" Take Home Top Awards". Los Angeles Magazine. Archived from the original on January 16, 2026. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  38. ↑ Chicago Indie Critics. "Chicago Indie Critics Announce 2025 Windie Award Nominations". The Rolling Tape. Archived from the original on January 6, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  39. ↑ Lang, Brent (January 4, 2026). "Critics Choice Awards 2026: 'One Battle After Another' Wins Best Film, 'The Pitt,' 'Adolescence' and 'The Studio' Dominate TV Prizes". Variety. Archived from the original on February 19, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  40. ↑ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 11, 2026). "Golden Globes: Winners List (Updating Live)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 6, 2026. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  41. ↑ "2026 Hugo, Lodestar, and Astounding Award Finalists". April 21, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  42. ↑ "2026 Humanitas Prize nominations: 'KPop Demon Hunters,' 'Abbott Elementary,' and 'Grey's Anatomy' among top contenders". July 13, 2026. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  43. ↑ "2026 ICS Awards Nominations". January 18, 2026. Archived from the original on January 31, 2026. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Latino Entertainment Journalists Association (LEJA) Film Awards: 'Sinners' Wins 6, Including Best Picture". February 9, 2026. Archived from the original on February 18, 2026. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  45. ↑ Neglia, Matt (January 12, 2026). "The 2025 North Dakota Film Society (NDFS) Winners". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on January 14, 2026. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  46. ↑ "The 2026 Creative 100: Directors Taking Genre Films to the Mainstream". May 5, 2026.
  47. ↑ Apeles, Teena (October 4, 2022). "Inside the LA Home of Author Maurene Goo". JoySauce. Retrieved February 2, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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