Best Animated Feature Film: Ranking Every Nominee of the 97th Academy Awards
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
Only three more categories to go in this year’s Academy Awards Project! We will conclude ranking each nominee next week, but we first have to wrap up this current week with a nice, warm, fuzzy category: Best Animated Feature Film. True, not all animated films are cute or intended for children, and one of the stronger nominees this year is certainly for adults only, but I think that even the most graphic or mature animated films possess a level of creativity and imagination that makes audiences feel inspired or seen in a uniquely adventurous sort of way (feelings can be conveyed via nontraditional means via animation). This category can occasionally be filled with fluff if a year hasn’t boasted enough strong animated features to take up an entire five-spot roster, but this category can also be a treasure trove of great, underrated releases that wouldn’t have gotten this earned spotlight otherwise. This year, we have probably the most expected batch of nominees I’ve ever witnessed for this specific category; usually, Best Animated Feature Film possesses a curveball or a surprise or two. I think most Oscars fans could have predicted what would be nominated here. Having said that, will it be so simple to predict what will win Best Animated Feature Film? Maybe. Maybe not.
Here are your nominees for Best Animated Feature Film ranked from worst to best.
Biggest Snub: Look Back
I didn’t think it would be nominated, and most of the nominees selected are quite strong, but I do want to use this opportunity to A) give a shoutout to the adored film Look Back (a powerful coming-of-age homage to the dedication of one’s craft while touching upon pressing issues that the youth of today sadly may have to face, as Look Back acts as yet another warning of the like [if only certain countries would listen]), and B) point out that the Academy Awards shun so many anime films that aren’t Studio Ghibli releases. Would it hurt the Academy to nominate an anime film — especially a really good one — more than once in a while?
5. Inside Out 2
I will always champion the first Inside Out as one of my all time favourite Pixar films, and, while I think this sequel is quite good, it is easily the weakest nominee of the five despite its impressive box office returns. I do think the new emotions are well incorporated for the most part (I could have done with Envy having a stronger presence, and Ennui being featured more in general), and the story here is a fairly interesting one that continues the themes of the first film with best intentions. I just felt like this was a safer, tamer version of the first film with far less affecting ideas and turns (I still cannot shake off Inside Out, whereas I was already mentally and emotionally moving on from Inside Out 2 quite quickly after finishing it). I do think that Inside Out 2 is a lovely film, but I also wish it went the distance with what it was aiming to say and how it was going about saying it.
4. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
The strongest Aardman Animations release in quite some time, mainly because Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is a sequel that actually goes the extra mile to be important, unlike some of the more recent Aardman sequels. Vengeance Most Fowl continues the adorable whimsy and antics of the other Wallace & Gromit films while figuring out ways to tackle contemporary topics, like the incoming wave of technological and AI-related problem solving, and generational conflict in the workplace (veterans versus newbies). While never going overboard with what it is commenting on, Vengeance Most Fowl is able to have purpose and still be oodles of fun at the same time.
3. Memoir of a Snail
It is always nice to see Adam Elliot back in the zeitgeist of cinema, and Memoir of a Snail is a welcome return from the Australian animator. An important lesson on how one has to learn how to love on after traumatic or life-changing events, Memoir of a Snail is equal parts cute and heartbreaking. The film focuses on the qualms of everyday people (who are more than likely going to be forgotten by society outside of some close loved ones) and it honours what makes all of us special by honouring — not criticizing — the physical and character-based oddities that we all possess. It is impossible to not be fully connected to poor little Gracie as she strives to become the best version of herself (while also failing with this very objective time and time again). We root Grace on, and, subsequently, find that we ourselves are worth rooting for, too, once we are done Memoir of a Snail.
2. Flow
Flow is a highly challenging film to make. How can an animated feature discuss the impact of climate change (and a possibility of the end of humanity) via nothing but animals, minimalist ideas, and zero dialogue? Nonetheless, Flow succeeds with its mission greatly so much so that the film has become a staple of 2024 for many cinephiles. Not only do I love the focus on realism, but the magical surreality that comes in from out of nowhere (and like a ton of bricks) is one of the strongest moments in film of 2024 for me. No matter who you are (or what age), Flow is bound to sweep you off your feet. Hopefully there will be a call to make more films like this since Flow’s huge wave of popularity has proven that daring animated films like this can exist and make a nice profit at the box office.
1. The Wild Robot
On paper, I didn’t expect The Wild Robot to be nearly as good as it wound up being. It felt like yet another Dreamworks Animation release that would be neat and fun but not necessarily life changing. Was I ever wrong. Each time I watch The Wild Robot, I think I sob even more than the last time. The beauty in this film is immense, and it somehow exists perfectly alongside the family-friendly fun of this all ages affair; one that is sure to have children jumping out of joy and adults feeling the more mature themes of family, life, grief, and purpose. I cannot emphasize how much I love this film, and truly feel like it may be the best Dreamworks Animated film of all time (at least, certainly, within the last little while). I honestly feel like The Wild Robot will stand the test of time just because of how effortlessly it can connect with every single viewer for different reasons.
Who I Want To Win: I have a soft spot or huge amount of support for each of the above films for different reasons, but I am actively rooting for The Wild Robot and Flow.
Who I Think Will Win: I originally thought that The Wild Robot was a sure-fire win in this category, but after its surprising Golden Globe award, Flow does stand a chance to win the Academy Award as well (consider how much support the film has that it was even nominated for Best International Feature Film: a rare feat for an animated feature). Even with that little push, I’d go with The Wild Robot taking it all. Usually, the Annie Awards are a good benchmark as to what will win the Academy Award, but considering that both films technically won the top prize (Flow for the Independent Beast Animated Feature category), I feel like this still doesn’t paint the clearest picture. Maybe the BAFTA winner will wind up taking the Oscar as well.
Note: This article was written before the BAFTA Awards took place on February 16th.
The Academy Awards Project will continue on Monday with another category: Best International Feature Film. We’re going to rank every single nominee in every single category, Monday through Friday. You don’t want to miss it!
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.