Animated Features of 2021... and first Oscar Predictions!
Friday, May 28, 2021 at 3:40PM by Nathaniel R
This past year wasn't a particularly great one for animation but hope springs eternal and maybe we'll have a more competitive Oscar race next February? This will be the 21st year of the Best Animated Feature Oscar race. With 20 years of statistics we know what Oscar voters go for in this category and what they don't. They generally turn their noses up at sequels (unless they absolutely adored the first one). They will always honor at least one international title (but usually two) with a nomination, but they won't give them the win unless they absolutely have to. The animation studios Cartoon Saloon, Laika, and Aardman are widely respected by animators and will always be nominated if they're eligible... but it usually stops there as the wider voting body on the "win" defaults to big American studio animation and 70% of the time (literally) the wins go to the Mouse House for either Disney or Pixar titles. When it comes to animated titles from overseas they're a bit like they are with the Best International Feature category (even though it's different voters) in that they generally ignore Asian animation (with the exception of Studio Ghibli) and prefer European titles.
With the recent announcement of the competitive line-up for the 2021 Annecy festival (one of the four most important animation events each year) we have a better sense of which international titles might crop up this year in the circles that love animated films. Surely at least some of these will submit to the Oscar race as well. So here's as many animated features as we could find that might delight animation-loving cinephiles this year...
LET'S TAKE THEM IN ALPHA ORDER...
ABSOLUTE DENIAL (UK)
A sci-film feature from Ryan Braund (Safehouse) about a programmer building a supercomputer of "unprecedented power". No US Distribution yet.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2 (US, MGM/UA)
A sequel to the 2019 hit toon. Since Oscar didn't go for the first one they won't go for this. That's the (unofficial) rule. October 31st.
THE APE STAR (DENMARK)
A film from Linda Hambäck (Gordon & Paddy) based on the children's book by Frida Nilsson about a gorilla who adopts a young girl. Voice work from Swedish film stars Pernilla August and Stellan Skarsgård. No US Distribution yet.
APOLLO 10½ (US, NETFLIX)
Richard Linklater returns to the animation media for this film. But like his previous animated films it's rotoscoped (i.e. shot in live action and then animated from there) which the Academy's animation branch frowns on. Currently undated.
ARLO THE ALLIGATOR BOY (US, NETFLIX)
After the movie it will be a series (so we can't imagine Oscar biting). Already streaming on Netflix.
BACK TO THE OUTBACK (US, NETFLIX)
The plot about an ecletic group of wild animals on the run sounds like a cross between Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar. Currently undated.
BELLE (JAPAN, STUDIO CHIZU)
This comes from the director Mamoru Hosada. It's his first since the Oscar-nominated Mirai (2018). The still above looks like a retelling of Beauty & The Beast but all we know is its about a teenage girl living simultaneously in modern Japan and in a virtual world. No US Distribution yet.
BOB'S BURGERS: THE MOVIE (US, DISNEY/20TH CENTURY).
We loooooove Bob's Burgers but Oscar has so far not gone for TV shows turned movies really with the exception of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius right when the category was introduced. Also it's unclear what Disney is going to do with its Fox titles since they've renamed the division to get rid of Fox and also aren't that invested in it and clearly bought the studio solely for the family films, Marvel characters, and franchise titles (sigh... so many beautiful movies locked in a vault now). Currently undated.
BOB SPIT: WE DO NOT LIKE PEOPLE (BRAZIL)
Based on a popular comic series. Bob is hunted by mutant pop stars who are out for blood. He's also at war with his creator, a comic book artist who is trying to kill off the character. No US Distribution yet.
THE BOSS BABY: FAMILY BUSINESS (US, DREAMWORKS/UNIVERSAL)
A lot of people hated the nomination for the 2017 original but we were fans. It was funnier and more visually inventive than it got credit for. For the sequel we've jumped ahead in time and the original boys are now teenagers and the new tyrant boss is their toddler sister. September 17th
CHICKEN OF THE MOUND (GERMANY/CHINA)
From filmmaker Xi Chen. But it's relatively experimental so Oscar voters won't be interested. No US Distribution yet.
CITY OF LOST THINGS (TAIWAN)
A teenage runaway meets a 30 year old plastic bag with a purpose in the strange titular city. This film by Yee Chih-Yen recently won the Golden Horse Award at home for Best Animated Feature. No US Distribution yet.
CLIMBING (SOUTH KOREA)
In this film from Kim Hye-mi, a professional competitive climber discovers she's pregnant right before a grueling competition. It is described as a horror film by some websites. No US Distribution yet.
CRYPTOZOO (US, MAGNOLIA)
Filmmaker Dash Shaw who some of you might remember from his experimental animated debut My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea (2016) is back with his second full=length feature. It's about a cryptozoo trying to capture a mythical creature. But should these creatures be displayed? August 20th in theaters.
THE DEER KING (JAPAN, PRODUCTION IG)
A collaboration from directors Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji who have worked on many famous Japanese features (if not as directors). It's based on the fantasy novel series Shika No Ō by Nahoko Uehashi. This was meant to arrive in 2020 but was delayed until later this year. No US Distribution yet.
ENCANTO (US, DISNEY)
This original Lin-Manuel Miranda musical about a Colombia girl from a magical family is scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend. Yes, unless someone budges three rival studios (Warner Bros, Sony, and Disney) are all releasing original Lin-Manuel Miranda musicals in the space of just six months (In the Heights and Vivo are the other ones) which seems insane to us from a competing with yourself and oversaturation standpoint. November 24th in theaters and for a premium on Disney+.
EXTINCT (CANADA/CHINA, CINESITE)
Now extinct donut-shaped creatures time travel from the past to modern Shanghai. David Silverman and Raymond S Persi, two Simpsons veterans, direct. No US Distribution yet.
FINNICK (RUSSIA, RIKI GROUP)
This adventure comedy is about a teenage girl who befriends a mischievous spirit (the titular character) who lives in her house. No US Distribution yet.
FLEE (DENMARK, NEON)
This Danish animated documentary is about a gay man and immigrant who reveals his hidden past as he considers marriage to his boyfriend. It made a big splash at Sundance in January. Oscar is not immune to good animated documentaries having previously nominated Waltz With Bashir (2008). But here's the catch: it was nominated in Best Foreign Language Film category but NOT in Best Animated Feature. Will the animated branch be more responsive to this one? Currently undated.
HOTEL TRANSLYVANIA: TRANSFORMIA (US, SONY PICTURES ANIMATION)
This is the fourth film in this audience-favourite franchise. August 6th in theaters.
INU-OH (JAPAN, SCIENCE SARU)
A historical drama about a 14th century musician and performer as Noh and kyôgen become formal Japanese traditions. It's from the surprisingly prolific Masaaki Yuasa, director of Lu Over the Wall, The Night is Short Walk on Girl, and Ride Your Wave. His films usually get submitted to the Oscar race but the voters have yet to embrace one of them. No US Distribution yet.
JIANG ZIYA: THE LEGEND OF DEIFICATION (CHINA)
An action fantasy about a warrior attempting to slay a demon so he can become a god. It's a feature directorial debut for Teng Cheng and Li Wei. No US Distribution yet.
JOSEE, THE TIGER, AND THE FISH (JAPAN)
An animated drama about a wheelchair bound young girl and the university student she meets on a walk. The director Kotaro Tamura usually works in Japanese television. No US Distribution yet.
JOSEP (FRANCE)
This historical refugee drama won the EFA last season but it wasn't submitted to the Oscars. Will it be this year? The timetables are sometimes confusing with international titles. No US Distribution yet.
THE JOURNEY (SAUDI ARABIA/JAPAN, TOEI ANIMATION)
Though this film is based on Saudi folklore it's style is extremely anime... which makes sense since it's from Toei Animation. No US Distribution yet.
LAMYA'S POEM (CANADA)
A refugee reading a book by the poet Rumi is transported magically to the 13th century when Rumi was also a young refugee. Mena Massoud (Aladdin) voices Rumi and Millie Davis (Orphan Black) voices Lamya. No US Distribution yet.
LUCA (US, DISNEY/PIXAR)
Pixar's animators have reason to be disgruntled/bummed that their parent company suddenly thinks they're unworthy of theatrical release (especially since Pixar titles often secure boffo box office) but though this Italian-set adventure of little boys who are also mermen won't make it to theaters it would be VERY unlikely that it doesn't make it to an Oscar nomination. Pixar wins 55% of the Oscars in this category. They've only lost three races over the years and have only been shut out of the nominated shortlist entirely in two separate years when they had something that was eligible... and both times that happened they were making sequels (2011 with Cars 2 / 2013 with Monsters University). June 18th on Disney+.
THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES (US, SONY PICTURES ANIMATION/NETFLIX)
You've already seen this one. Do you think it has a shot at Oscar? We're not sure. The year is young but Disney can't take up ALL the American slots. Now playing on Netflix.
MOOMIOS (SPAIN, WARNER BROS)
A comedy about King Tut in a rivalry with the Pharoah's beautiful daughter. No US Distribution yet.
MY SUNNY MAAD (CZECH REPUBLIC/FRANCE)
This feature comes from Oscar-nominated Czech animator Michaela Pavlátová (Reci, Reci, Reci) and is about a Czech woman who marries an Afghan and moves to post-Taliban Afghanistan. No US Distribution yet.
MY UNCLE JOSE (BRAZIL)
We don't have much info on this one other than that it's a political/historical film aimed at young viewers. No US Distribution yet.
NAHUEL AND THE MAGIC BOOK (CHILE, PUNKROBOT)
It's about what it sounds like it's about -- a young boy and a mysterious magical book. Punkrobot Animation Studio was behind Bear Story (2014) which some of you will remember as it was Chile's first Oscar win (in best animated short). No US Distribution yet.
PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE (US, PARAMOUNT)
Based on the pre-school series so Oscar isn't the audience for this. August 20th in theaters.
POUPELLE OF CHIMNEY TOWN (JAPAN, STUDIO 4°C)
Poupelle was a nominee at the recent Japanese Academy Awards for Animation of the Year. It's based on a children's book about a town so polluted that people no longer believe that stars live in the sky. Also a heap of garbage comes to life. It looks beautiful from early footage. No US Distribution yet.
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON (US, DISNEY)
In this new world where streaming is king and theaters are like infants struggling to walk again there hasn't been much talk about this movie. The same thing happened to Mulan last year... because (presumably) people dont want to pay $30 to watch movies at home on Disney Plus where everythign else is free. Nevertheless since it's from Disney expect a big and possibly successful Oscar campaign in December/January. Now playing in theaters and for a premium on Disney+.
RON'S GONE WRONG (US, DISNEY/20TH CENTURY ANIMATION)
We're not sure what to make of this one. It was a 20th Century Fox project but now it's Disney. Will they care enough to push it or will they be focused on Raya and Encanto? It's about a boy and his robot best friend who malfunctions. But why is the robot white with black eyes? It's too much like Big Hero 6, right? October 22nd in theaters.
SING 2 (US, UNIVERSAL/ILLUMINATION)
A sequel to the surprise smach in which animals get really into singing contests of popular hits. Dec 22nd in theaters.
SNOTTY BOY (AUSTRIA)
Snotty Boy is based on the art and childhood of Manfred Deix. It's set in the 1960s and involves the son of an innkeeper who saves a beautiful girl from right-wing villagers. No US Distribution yet.
SPIRIT UNTAMED (US, DREAMWORKS/UNIVERSAL/NETFLIX)
So remember Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron which was Oscar nominated and hand drawn a million years ago? It's back! Turns out in the inbetween years it's become a popular little girl focused TV franchise (?) We didn't know (not being little girls) but now there's another feature film. June 4th on Netflix.
SPONGEBOB: SPONGE ON THE RUN (US, PARAMOUNT)
While this opened in some parts of the world in 2020, it has not yet hit the US. Currently undated.
TROLLHUNTERS: RISE OF THE TITANS (US, DREAMWORKS/NETFLIX)
The Trollhunters franchise has been a true pleasure in animated series form and apparently they're wrapping up with a feature. Oscar won't care of course because it's basically like a giant TV episode finale but we do since we love the series. Currently undated.
VIVO (US, SONY/NETFLIX)
This is the other Lin-Manuel Miranda animated original musical. Vivo is about a street performer and his beloved kinkajou named Vivo (kinkajou's look a bit like monkeys but they're also called "honey bears" and are related to raccoons to make it yet more animal-kingdom confusing). After tragedy strikes (presumably at the beginning of the film) Vivo must travel to Miami to fulfill his owners wishes. Currently undated though it was originally intended for June.
WISH DRAGON (US, SONY/NETFLIX)
The trailer for this feature recently premiered. Unfortunately it looks like its cribbing heavily from the Genie sequences in Aladdin. Some of that was bound to happen since it's a genie-in-a-bottle story but still... June 11th on Netflix
YOU ANIMAL! (PHILIPPINES)
This already premiered in some territories in 2020 but we haven't yet gotten it here in the US so perhaps it will be eligible? It's a rom-com about felines and mongrels and dogs and apparently has gratutious sequences perhaps paying homage to Ralph Bakshi's more risque animated oeuvre? In other words, it's for adults.
Finally... Don't expect these until 2022 for various reasons
THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT (US, NETFLIX)
Currently in production with an all star voice cast (Noah Jupe, Mandy Patinkin, Miranda Richardson, Benedict Wong, etcetera)
MY FATHER'S DRAGON (IRELAND, CARTOON SALOON)
This is a new feature from Nora Twomey who directed Cartoon Saloon's Oscar-nominated The Breadwinner.
PINOCCHIO (US, NETFLIX)
There are so many film versions of this story that it's hard to keep track of them. This one is the highly buzzed Guillermo del Toro stop-motion version. But stop-motion is a notoriously lengthy process. In January Netflix's CEO hinted that it could be moved to 2022 "or later".
RUMBLE (US, PARAMOUNT)
Humans train monsters to wrestle as athletes. Recently pushed back to 2022.
THE SEA BEAST (US, NETFLIX)
This is a project from the director of the Oscar-winning Big Hero 6.
WENDELL & WILD (US, NETFLIX)
Another stop-motion project from Henry Selick of The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline fame. It's about two demon brothers fighting a nun and goth teenagers. Selick is just great but we don't think it will be ready in time for this year so we might have a stop-motion free year which is making us frown. Key & Peele are doing the voicework. Fun!
WITCH BOY (US, NETFLIX)
Currently in production. Based on the terrific graphic novel of the same name about a boy who gets typically female powers. We highly recommend!
So what will Oscar go for? The first wild guesswork Oscar chart is up.
Reader Comments (15)
Oscar predictions? So soon? We are leaving May and entering June, so not so soon, really. Good to see that 2-d animation hasn't been abandoned.
Please, no Boss Baby 2. That looked fucking stupid.
My top five picks for the nominations for Best Animated Feature Film for the 94th Academy Awards so far are:
* Belle
* Encanto
* Luca
* The Mitchells vs the Machines
* Raya and the Last Dragon
Also here are runners up in case of change of predications
* Flee
* Inu-Oh
* Wish Dragon
* Vivo
The problems in your section:
1st was that Nahuel and the Magic Book was originally produced by Carburadores, and it co-produced by Levante Films and Punkrobot.
2nd was that the picture that you posted, was a beta version of the protagonist, Nahuel. He suppoed to wear blue hoodie, not green and he dosen't have a hat.
3rd . This film is my favorite of all time aside from Pixar and Disney. I hope this will win.
I’d be way more into animation if these foreign titles were easier to access. The American studio computer animations all look pretty dismal, although THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES was fun and I definitely reckon it’ll be Oscar nominated.
the Bob's burgers movie is gonna be a full musical, and if there's something the show does amazingly well it's making catchy songs, maybe its chances for a nod might come in the Original song category (of course, depending on how stacked the category will be and whether Disney is willing to campaign for it)
Belle, Encanto, Luca, Raya, and a fifth wild card. It shouldn't feel so predictable, but it does.
Sponge Bob is available (or was) on Paramount +. It was not good.
Cryptozoo is being released by Magnolia on August 20
One of my trademark novels of a comment is coming soon when I get a minute. Just letting you all know so you check back on this article. (Still got a blog of my own in the works in case you were all still wondering).
When you look at these computer animations it's like they all come from the same studio. They seem to have no authorship.
Susanita -- that's one of the problems I have with it and why i prefer 2D... It's not that CG is less expressive than hand-drawn... but that for whatever reason, the artists aren't able to express their own style within the confines of what the studios want from CG.
I don’t try to express hopes either way about movies before they’re even released, but I can’t help but hope that a non-Disney/Pixar movie wins this year. The category is so often the least interesting due to their dominance that I have to believe is due to the unfair advantage they have every year in terms of the voters’ familiarity with them as opposed to the smaller nominees which I suspect aren’t a top priority for a lot of voters. I almost think they should have a comittee vote on this category rather than leaving it open to the entire membership.
Director of 'Absolute Denial' here - thank you for the inclusion and support! Some amazing animations coming this year for sure.
I disagree that the computer animated films look the same here (for the discussion above) and Indon’t know sympathies should be with Pixar still in corona times regarding release strategy. It’s not like it’s permanent.