Unexpected Contender Emerges in tight Oscar Race for Best Animated Feature
With the Academy Awards nominations just over a week away, the frontrunners in many categories are becoming clear. However, the race for Best Animated feature remains surprisingly open, with a potential upset brewing despite the dominance of two major contenders.
The animated feature category has largely been defined by the success of KPop Demon Hunters, a streaming sensation from Sony animation and Netflix that became the platform’s most-watched original film, and Zootopia 2, Disney’s blockbuster sequel which has already grossed $1.65 billion worldwide. These two films have consistently topped predictions, but a surge in precursor nominations suggests another title could shake up the expected outcome.
According to industry forecasts, the remaining nominees are likely to mirror recent Golden Globe selections, potentially including Pixar’s Elio, the Cannes-honored films Arco and Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, and the anime hit Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: infinity Castle. However, DreamWork Animation’s The Bad Guys 2 is rapidly gaining momentum.
despite not being a sequel to a previous Oscar winner – or even nominee – The Bad guys 2 has secured nominations from key industry bodies including the Producers Guild of America awards, the Annie Awards, the Casting Awards, the art directors Guild Awards (two nominations), the Visual Effects Society Awards, and the Motion Picture Sound Editor Golden Reel Awards. BAFTA has also included the sequel on its longlist. “That’s a serious amount of accolades,” one analyst noted, “for a film currently sitting in 10th place in Gold Derby’s combined odds.”
The disconnect stems from The Bad Guys 2’s box office performance, which, at $240 million worldwide, was less remarkable than Zootopia 2. The Pixar film, Elio, earned $154 million globally and is benefitting from the studio’s established awards track record.Moreover, The Bad guys 2 lacks the festival prestige enjoyed by films like Arco and Little Amélie.
Despite these factors, the film’s growing list of accolades suggests notable support within the industry. Could the Academy recognize The Bad Guys 2, proving that a less conventional path to success can still be rewarded? The coming week will reveal whether this animated gang of thieves can rewrite the narrative and secure a coveted Oscar nomination.
Why is the bad Guys 2 a potential upset? despite a lower box office gross ($240 million worldwide) compared to frontrunners like Zootopia 2 ($1.65 billion) and lacking the festival prestige of other contenders, The Bad Guys 2 has garnered a surprising number of nominations from key industry bodies – including the Producers Guild of America, Annie Awards, and BAFTA. This suggests strong support within the industry.
Who are the main contenders? The race is primarily between KPop Demon Hunters (Sony Animation/Netflix) and Zootopia 2 (Disney). Other potential nominees include Elio (Pixar), Arco, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, and Demon slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The movie: Infinity Castle.
What is the current state of the race? While KPop Demon Hunters and Zootopia 2 are considered the frontrunners, The Bad Guys 2 is gaining momentum due to its precursor nominations. the Academy Awards nominations, due in just over a week, will determine if this momentum translates into a nomination.
how did it end? The article concludes by stating that the coming week will reveal whether The Bad Guys 2 can secure an Oscar nomination,potentially rewriting the narrative of what it takes to
