Anna Daniels
2025 Academy Awards: A Close Contest for Best Animated Feature
The upcoming 2025 Oscars look set to feature an exciting competition for the Best Animated Feature award, highlighting both established favorites and fresh entries. This year’s contenders promise a diverse range of artistic styles and storytelling techniques, showcasing the imagination of modern animation. The nomination voting period runs from January 8-12, and the final nominees will be revealed on January 17, 2025, with the awards ceremony scheduled for March 2, 2025, live on ABC. Let’s explore the top contenders and a few potential surprises.
Top Contenders: Leading Animated Features
1. Inside Out 2 (Pixar/Disney)
Pixar shines once again with Inside Out 2, a sequel to the heartwarming 2015 film that won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. This new installment explores 13-year-old Riley’s experiences, focusing on the feeling of anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, alongside a talented cast that includes Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black. With a staggering box office total of $1.6 billion globally, the film’s success bolsters its Oscar chances.
Under the direction of Kelsey Mann, the film introduces new elements to Riley’s world, including her “Belief System” and “Sense of Self.” The charming design of “Bloofy’s House,” a nostalgic nod to Riley’s favorite childhood show, merges modern animation with retro influences, enriching the film’s imaginative storytelling.
2. The Wild Robot (DreamWorks/Universal)
DreamWorks presents The Wild Robot, the standout non-sequel entry directed by Chris Sanders. Based on Peter Brown’s novel, it tells the story of Roz (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o), a robot adapting to life on a deserted island with local wildlife. The touching bond between Roz and a young gosling named Brightbill (Kit Connor) adds emotional depth to the narrative.
Employing a hand-drawn aesthetic inspired by Tyrus Wong’s art in Bambi, DreamWorks uses modern techniques to create a lush, organic feel in its animation. The film’s themes of technology versus nature resonate strongly, enhancing its chances within the competitive landscape.
3. Memoir of a Snail (IFC)
Memoir of a Snail, this year’s winner of the Annecy Cristal award, features personal claymation directed by Adam Elliot. It follows Gracie (voiced by Sarah Snook), who shares her life story in letters to her beloved snail, Sylvia, while grappling with trauma and missing her twin brother, Gilbert (Kodi Smit-McPhee). Elliot’s unique storytelling coupled with a stark visual style sets it apart in a crowded field.
4. Flow (Sideshow/Janus Films)
Latvia’s entry for the International Feature Oscar, Flow is an adventurous, dialogue-free film directed by Gints Zilbalodis. It follows a group of animals—a cat, capybara, lemur, stork, and dog—living on a boat in a world altered by floods. The film’s ethereal quality is achieved through immersive visuals and soft CG rendering techniques. This unique approach to storytelling may attract those who favor more artistic and experimental animation.
5. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (Aardman/Netflix)
The iconic duo, Wallace and Gromit, return in Vengeance Most Fowl, a new stop-motion adventure featuring a mischievous “smart gnome” and the return of the notorious Feathers McGraw. Directed by Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, this film combines classic British humor with Aardman’s hallmark claymation. The nostalgic elements and witty storyline could give it an advantage in the competing lineup.
Dark Horses: Potential Surprises in Animated Feature Category
1. Ultraman: Rising (Netflix)
Directed by Shannon Tindle, Ultraman: Rising reinterprets the classic Japanese superhero for modern audiences. The narrative follows Ken Sato, a former baseball player turned kaiju-fighting hero, facing the dual challenges of parenthood and his heroic duties. Its striking 2D visuals, inspired by manga and anime, enhanced by ILM’s visual effects expertise, could capture the attention of Academy voters who appreciate striking artistic styles.
2. The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (Ketchup Entertainment)
The latest Looney Tunes film stands out as the franchise’s inaugural fully 2D-animated theatrical release. Featuring Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, the story involves uncovering an extraterrestrial plot to control minds. Under Pete Browngardt’s direction, the movie maintains the classic slapstick humor and animation style that Looney Tunes is known for. Although it may lack the emotional depth of its competitors, its nostalgic charm and entertainment potential make it a likely surprise nominee.
Other Key Contenders
Moana 2 (Disney)
Initially planned as a Disney+ series, Moana 2 has transformed into a feature film owing to its successful early stages. Directed by David Derrick Jr. alongside co-directors Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, this sequel follows Moana as she embarks on a journey to discover the forgotten island of Motufetu, with Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui. The film’s vibrant animation and strong cultural narrative may propel it into the nominee spotlight.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (Warner Bros.)
Kenji Kamiyama’s The War of the Rohirrim explores the lore of Middle-earth, centering around Helm Hammerhand, a fabled king of Rohan. Utilizing a combination of 2D animation, performance capture, and Unreal Engine technology, it presents a unique visual experience. While its serious theme may not attract a wide audience, its bold narrative and artistic style set it apart.
The Glassworker (Pakistan)
The Glassworker, hailing from Pakistan, is a beautifully crafted hand-drawn 2D animation by Usman Riaz. The narrative follows young glassblower Vincent and his father Tomas as they navigate their workshop’s challenges during the looming threat of war. Its artistic visuals and touching story may make it a surprising contender in the category.
In-Depth Look: The Changing World of Animated Features
This year’s animated feature category at the 2025 Oscars showcases a wide array of storytelling methods, featuring both blockbuster sequels like Inside Out 2 and innovative independent films such as Memoir of a Snail. It reflects the ongoing evolution of animation, merging classical techniques with modern technology to push creative boundaries. The impressive return of Pixar with Inside Out 2 and DreamWorks’ artistic advancement in The Wild Robot highlights a revitalization in quality from major players in the industry.
The emergence of smaller studios and international films introduces new complexities into the competition. Titles like Flow and The Glassworker show that captivating narratives and distinctive visuals can compete with mainstream productions, expanding the horizons of animated storytelling.
This year’s race for the Best Animated Feature feels particularly exciting, with numerous films pushing the limits of animation and daring to share emotionally rich tales. While Inside Out 2 appears to be the front-runner, the variety of submissions—from independent works like Memoir of a Snail to international films like Flow—truly illustrates the growth and depth of animation as a respected form of cinematic art.
Final Thoughts: Who Takes the Oscar?
Though Inside Out 2 seems to lead the pack, contenders like The Wild Robot and Flow also have compelling arguments in their favor. With the competition being so diverse, it’s possible the Best Animated Feature Oscar could take an unforeseen turn, honoring uniqueness and creativity.
What are your thoughts?
Which animated film do you think should win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature? Do you lean toward sequels or original tales? Share your opinion with us!
