This year’s Best Animated Feature race is packed with excitement. For the first time in history, Pixar will be facing-off against itself. The lineup of contenders also includes sequels, a spin-off, and both TV and comic strip adaptations. And since, by the looks of it, there won’t be as many qualifying entries as in past years, only three Oscar slots may be available.
So Far this Year
“The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” – A box office success, but the 2004 original didn’t snag an Academy Award nomination. And much of this sequel has live-action elements.
“Home” – It’s the only DreamWorks Animation submission of 2015, which means they will campaign like crazy to secure a nomination. It will be an uphill battle.
“Inside Out” – This first of two releases from Pixar is as close to a lock as you can get. Then again, so was “The LEGO Movie”…until Oscar nomination morning.
“Minions” – While the Academy fell in love with “Despicable Me 2”, I don’t think Gru’s little yellow assistants will be returning to the Oscars. However, the global scope of “Minions” may please the Hollywood Foreign Press and get them some Golden Globe love.
“Shaun the Sheep Movie” – It’s Aardman at their absolute finest, and the reviews have been nothing short of fantastic. But the stop-motion adventure has only made $13 million to date. Still, Aardman’s last film, 2012’s “The Pirates! Band of Misfits”, only grossed $31 million in the US and still got an Oscar nod.
What’s to Come
“Hotel Transylvania 2” – The first “HT” (2012) received a Globe nod over the stop-motion/horror-themed “ParaNorman”. Sony Pictures Animation never misses a beat when it comes to making quality films, but the competition this year is fierce.
“The Peanuts Movie” – It’s the dark horse that could go all the way. Blue Sky hasn’t been recognized by The Academy since the original “Ice Age” was up for Animated Feature more than a decade ago. The “Peanuts” trailer is fantastic – promising something sweet and potentially magical.
“The Good Dinosaur” – Like “Inside Out”, Pixar’s round two effort for 2015 was a struggle to make for years. But instant comparisons in quality will be made to “Inside Out”, and this dino tale could become extinct in a hurry.
Watch Out for the Indies
“The Little Prince”, from “Kung Fu Panda” director Mark Osborne, received nice reviews from the Cannes Film Festival. “When Marnie Was There” is the final feature (for now) from Studio Ghibli. And the animation alone in “Kahlil’s Gibran’s The Prophet” has audiences raving. As often is the case, one (or even two) of these foreign/small budget entries could knock blockbusters out of contention.