Oscars Shortlist: 26 Animated Features Eligible for 94th Academy Award Nominations

December 6, 2021 / Leave a Comment

by Christopher Haskell

WAY TOO EARLY PREDICTIONS

“Encanto”
Walt Disney Pictures

“Flee”
Neon + Participant

“Luca”
Pixar Animation

“The Mitchells vs. the Machines”
Netflix

“Raya and the Last Dragon”
Walt Disney Pictures

#1: “Encanto” — WALT DISNEY PICTURES

The strongest of the Walt Disney contenders, “Encanto” has the heart we’ve come to expect, the award-tier songs, and some truly great voice performances. It would be hard to see this one not getting nominated, and, in my opinion, possibly pulling off the win.

#2: “Flee” — NEON + PARTICIPANT

If there was one film that had all the buzz coming out of Sundance this year, it was the international film “Flee.” Having the possibility of being nominated in the animated category, documentary, and international, “Flee” will likely be the more adult fare that gets into the category this year.

#3: “Luca” — WALT DISNEY PICTURES + PIXAR ANIMATION

“Luca” is the only film from Pixar this year and despite coming out much earlier in the year, I think it will still resonate with the Academy voters.

#4: “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” — NETFLIX ANIMATION

The critical darling so far this awards season, “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” feels like the type of film to go head-to-head with Disney’s fare and actually come out on top. It’s different enough, from the much-loved “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” creators, and will be widely seen with its availability on Netflix.

#5: “Raya and the Last Dragon” — WALT DISNEY PICTURES

Anything Walt Disney has a stronger chance of getting a nomination. The fact that “Raya and the Last Dragon” deals with culture in an important way along with being gorgeous to look at could easily see it get the final nomination.

ALTERNATES

° “MY SUNNY MAAD”

“My Sunny Maad” has now popped up in a few places, including grabbing a Golden Globe nomination, so that I could easily see it landing one of the Walt Disney spots.

° “Ron’s Gone Wrong”

“Ron’s Gone Wrong” had just enough heart and dealt with the growing problems of technology and bullying that I believe it could sneak in if any of the top 5 were to fall.

° “Sing 2”

Never count out a) the star power of “Sing 2” or b) the fact that it comes out around the holidays and could easily be the last animated film on the voter’s minds.

° “Vivo”

Anything Lin-Manuel Miranda is bound to have some weight behind it. Add to that the wide availability on Netflix and the fact that “Vivo” packs an emotional punch, and it would not be surprising to see this one grab a nomination.