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, Dreamworks, Ghibli, Laika, Sony and Netflix, there is always a good indication as to what animated features to keep an eye out for.
Since my previous predictions in June, not much has changed in the way of what will be gunning for the coveted Oscar statuette in March, with it shaping up to be a two horse race between Universal’s “The Wild Robot” and Disney Pixar’s “Inside Out 2”. Both films have recieved critical acclaim, particularly the former, but with the Pixar sequel becoming the highest grossing animated film of all time, it will provide some stiff competition. Disney will also be looking to campaign another upcoming sequel with “Moana 2”, which will be in cinemas by the end of November, meanwhile Universal’s other animated hopefuls “Despicable Me 4” and “Kung Fu Panda 4”, have somewhat underwhelmed, pathing a way for them to concentrate their campaign solely on “The Wild Robot”.
The only other major release yet to be seen is “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”, the latest from Aardman Animation, and the first feature length outing in the long running claymation franchise since 2006’s Oscar-winning “Curse of the Were-Rabbit”.
Those smaller, international or independent animated projects battling out for a final slot in the coveted five nominees include; Adam Elliot‘s critically acclaimed “Memoir of a Snail”; Latvia’s best International Feature entry “Flow”; LEGO themed Pharrell Williams documentary “Piece by Piece”; and Anime Middle-Earth prequel “The Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim” from Warner Bros.
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.
Full list of Animated Feature predictions – September 2024:
Strong Contenders
- “The Wild Robot” | Universal | dir. Chris Sanders
- “Inside Out 2” | Disney | dir. Kelsey Mann
- “Memoir of a Snail” | IFC | dir. Adam Elliot
- “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” | Netflix | dir. Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham
- “Moana 2”| Disney | dir. David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
Possible Contenders
- “Flow”| Janus | dir. Gints Zilbalodis
- “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” | Warner Bros. | dir. Kenji Kamiyama
- “Piece by Piece” | Focus Features | dir. Morgan Neville
- “The Most Precious of Cargoes” | TBC | dir. Michel Hazanavicius
- “Transformers One” | Paramount | dir. Josh Cooley
Outsiders
- “Orion and the Dark” | Netflix | dir. Sean Charmatz
- “Despicable Me 4” | Universal | dir. Chris Renaud
- “Kung Fu Panda 4” | Universal | dir. Mike Mitchell
- “Spellbound” | Netflix | dir. Vicky Jenson
- “Mufasa: The Lion King” | Disney | dir. Barry Jenkins
Check out my Movie Reviews and other way-too-early Oscar Predictions via the links below.
Dan Loves Film 
Great predictions for animated film at the Oscars. I have not had a chance to watch all the nominees but of the films that I have seen I loved “Inside Out 2” the most. Pixar created an incredible film about emotions that has stood the test of time as a classic. As someone with severe anxiety, I related deeply towards the movie. It’s a beautiful film appealing to both kids and adults alike. I have yet to see the other nominees for animated film but for right now I am very certain Inside Out 2 will win. It’s hard to compete against Pixar. It’s one of my favourite films of the year.
Here’s why I loved it:
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