One of the easiest categories to predict in advance for the Academy Awards is that of Animated Feature. With a handful of major animation studios including: Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, Ghibli, Laika, Sony and Netflix, there is always a good indication as to what animated features to keep an eye out for.
The obvious contenders slated for a 2024 release include sequels to previous winners and nominees in this category, such as: “Inside Out 2”, “Moana 2”, “Despicable Me 4” and “Kung Fu Panda 4”. There is also a very unlikely, but outside chance that the latest films in the “Spider-Verse” and “Wallace & Gromit” franchises will be released this year, but is looking increasingly unlikely. If they were to release they would be serious contenders given their track record.
The big release from Dreamworks is the upcoming adaptation of “The Wild Robot”, which will likely see very little campaigning for the critically derided “Kung Fu Panda 4”. The only other notable animated film to have been released so far is Netflix’s “Orion and the Dark” which garnered strong but not excellent reviews.
There are also upcoming animated features in the financially successful “Lord of the Rings” and “Transformers” franchises and stop-motion animators Laika will be hoping “Wildwood” will be their first win in the category after a handful of nominations so far.
It is shaping up to be a stacked year in the animation race and with only five slots available on nomination morning, some big players are guaranteed to miss out.
Strong Contenders
- Inside Out 2
- The Wild Robot
- The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
- Wildwood
- Moana 2
Possible Contenders
- Orion and the Dark
- Transformers One
- Despicable Me 4
- The Legend of Ochi
- Memoir of a Snail
Outsiders
- Spellbound
- Kung Fu Panda 4
- *Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
- *Untitled Wallace & Gromit Film
- The Garfield Movie
* May not release in 2024
Dan Loves Film 
As always great predictions for the upcoming Oscars. With regards to animated feature, it seems to me that “Inside Out 2” would be the clear frontrunner of this category. I was a huge fan of the first film which was one of those rare animated movies that appealed towards both children and adults alike. It made me reflect on how emotions often cause us to make certain choices in life. I’m curious to see whether a sequel could surpass it. Here’s why I loved the first film: https://huilahimovie.reviews/2015/07/09/inside-out-2015-movie-review/
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Nice post 🌹🌹
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Great predictions once again for the best animated film at the Oscars. It seems like it’s too early to tell but I have a strong feeling “Inside Out 2” is going to win this. I recently had a chance to watch this movie and was absolutely blown away. I thought it was a fantastic sequel that managed to improve on the first film considerably. As someone with severe anxiety, I identified with the film deeply. It’s not quite as great as the first film but still an amazing animated feat for Pixar. So, I will definitely be rooting for this film to win the Oscar.
Here’s why I loved “Inside Out 2”:
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