Despite the animation branch and “Best animated feature” category, there is no rule that an animated film cannot be nominated for Best Picture. In fact this year’s Latvian made FLOW has been submitted as best International picture. It has also won many notable run ups, such as National Board of Review and NYFCC. It is a unique style of animation; far from the play dough factory of Disney/Pixar and it has NO DIALOGUE, (which is remarkable on its own, but the fact that it is all animals and they are not anthropomorphic is of particular note).
There have also been rumblings that THE WILD ROBOT could be in consideration for best picture, and with the box office of INSIDE OUT 2 that is also possible, but my guess is that Disney would be happy with the animation category as to not upset the apple cart they way they did a long time ago.
The first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture was BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991); it upset the members of the Academy so much they created a new branch specifically for animated films, I remember it well — We had a massive Oscar viewing party that took over half of the MGM Studios park after hours and they gave us all honorary awards, and for a couple of years we actually animated presenters for the broadcast (From B&B, and TOY STORY).
There is no doubt that THE WILD ROBOT and FLOW are terrific stories that envelope us in emotion with spectacular artistry and the fact that there are no clear frontrunners for best picture such as OPPENHEIMER was last year make this an ideal time. These talks were first floated during Cannes, when both films surprised the adult attendees, and are taking on a more serious tone now that the world has seen them. I wonder how the Academy would handle that given the historical backlash. Though one could argue that animation has given theaters a much needed lifeline this year -- historic in many ways.
Regardless, I couldn't be happier that audiences are once again embracing animation that is handcrafted.
The trailer to FLOW is here: https://youtu.be/ZgZccxuj2RY?si=B3rK5g6eD1Rhf-bK
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Animated movies are some of the best movies, Laurie Ashbourne, and some of them deserve nominations for Best Picture. I just watched Transformers One tonight. Wow! It's phenomenal! It deserves a nomination for Best Picture. Even though it's silly at times and a lot of its action is geared toward kids/teens, the characters and story are incredible and moving! There's something else that happens in Transformers One that makes me say it deserves a Best Picture nomination, but it's a spoiler, so I won't say what it is. I'm looking forward to seeing Flow, The Wild Robot, and Inside Out 2!
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I enjoy watching the Oscars, although less and less each year. The films nominated are all great, but they’re rarely my favorites of the year. On the other hand, I don’t necessarily want to see them changed. So much drama over a popularity contest!
If the Academy wants to nominate some animated films for best picture, that’s fine with me. They’ve done the same with foreign language films.
Incidentally, my top movie experience this year was Hundreds of Beavers. Best film to see with an audience since RRR! When a movie makes a whole theater shout with joy… that’s award worthy.
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Flow looks amazing! I need to see this!
I would love to see an animated film nominated for Best Picture this year. It’s been the year of Animation, so it would be well-deserved recognition for the animation industry basically holding it all up through 2024.
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This trailer is beautiful, Laurie. Would love to see this in its entirety. The trailer alone was moving. And yes, totally down for animated noms although I may be being biased. Even so, FLOW looks like it should be in contention.