Oscars Release List Of 25 Films Competing For Animated Feature: Here Are The Ones That Will Probably Make The Cut
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially announced the 25 animated films qualified to compete in this year’sOscarrace. The competing films for the Oscars 2019 animated feature category include Pixar’s superhero sequelIncredibles 2,Disney’s irreverent comedyRalph Breaks the Internet, Sony’s eye-poppingSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Wes Anderson’s quirkyIsle of Dogs. But there are a handful of anime films jostling for a slot that may just earn the rare non-U.S. studio nomination.
Hollywood loves to reward its own, but this year could be the year that an anime film not from Studio Ghibli gets recognition. No anime film has earned an Oscar nomination since 2014’sWhen Marnie Was There, which incidentally was one of Studio Ghibli’s last films. With Ghibli and director Hayao Miyazaki out of the picture (though bothsoon to return), no prominent anime studio or filmmaker has yet to take their place, but the rise of U.S. distributor GKIDS could soon change that.
However, anime films likeMirai, Lu Over the Wall, Fireworks, MFKZ,andThe Night is Short, Walk On Girlface fierce competition from heavy-hitters like Pixar and Disney, and film circuit favorites like Wes Anderson. Oh, and we know that everyone loves a superhero. All 25 films will be competing for just five slots in the best animated feature category, withIncredibles 2andIsle of Dogslikely pushed as front-runners. As far as we can tell, it’sIncredibles 2’s award to lose, as the critically acclaimed film also scored more than $1 billion at the global box office.
The competition has barely begun though, asVarietyreports that several of the films have not yet had their Los Angeles qualifying run. All the submitted movies must comply with the qualifying theatrical run before they can even advance to be voted on. Sixteen or more films must qualify for the five slots to be voted on.
See below the list of 25 animated films competing for the Oscar.
Oscars 2019 Animated Feature Competitors
Yes,Sherlock Gnomesis competing for that Oscar. That’d be laughable but let’s not forget that last year,TheBoss Babywas a nominee. But I’m going to beat my anime drum once again, and say that it’s directorMamoru Hosoda(who is one of the mostpromising anime filmmakers today) and his filmMiraithat should and will break the stigma against anime films at the Oscars. My dream list also includes the always under-appreciatedNick Park, whose stellarEarly Manfell by the wayside.
What Should Be Nominated
Incredibles 2MiraiSpider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseIsle of DogsEarly Man
Alas, the Academy doesn’t understand animated films, and several votershave admitted to votingwith the animated features that their kids like the best. Again,TheBoss Babywas a nominee last year. So I’m going to temper my hopes that the Academy will break their anti-anime bias and predict that the category will once again be dominated by Disney, Pixar, and that yeti movie with Channing Tatum. Hey,Smallfootgot a 75% on Rotten Tomatoes — it’s the most likely possibility. The one “artsy” slot will go to Anderson, as the indie darling is finally getting Oscar recognition after years of being overlooked.
What Will Be Nominated
Incredibles 2Ralph Breaks the InternetSpider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseIsle of DogsSmallfoot
The 2019 Oscar nominations will be announcedJanuary 22, 2019and the ceremony will air on ABC onFebruary 24, 2019.
