Best Animated Feature Oscars Predictions (January)

With 27 animated films on the Academy’s screening room website, it certainly looks like there will be enough eligible contenders to see five eventual nominations for this category. Once the Academy drops its shortlist on February 9, we’ll have official confirmation.

While Wolfwalkers had started critics season strongly, Soul completely dominated the last month and has now collected almost 20 wins in total. It’s clear this race remains a battle of two horses where either could ultimately claim the Oscar. It’s hard to ignore how strongly Soul is performing. It moves back into the #1 spot this month, but Wolfwalkers remains firmly in the hunt.

Now that international critics have seen Earwig and the Witch and it’s received a dismal reaction (currently 32% on Rotten Tomatoes), it’s unlikely to be the next Studio Ghibli title nominated for an Oscar. If the Academy is looking to acknowledge Japanese animation, they may instead choose Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train. The film has just become the highest-grossing movie in history in Japan with a staggering box office of over $450 million. Keep an eye on that one.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE PREDICTIONS:
1. Soul (Disney)
2. Wolfwalkers (GKIDS/Apple TV+)
3. Over the Moon (Netflix)
4. Onward (Disney)
5. The Croods: A New Age (Universal Pictures)

OTHER CONTENDERS:
Bombay Rose (Netflix)
Brightheart (TriCoast Worldwide)
Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train (Funimation)
Earwig and the Witch (Studio Ghibli)
Lupin III: The First (GKIDS)
No. 7 Cherry Lane (Far Sun Films)
On-Gaku: Our Sound (GKIDS)
Ride Your Wave (GKIDS)
Scoob! (Warner Bros)
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (Netflix)
The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run (Paramount Pictures)
Trolls: World Tour (Universal Pictures)
The Willoughbys (Netflix)
Wish Dragon (Sony Pictures)