Oscar Watch: Record 20 Animated Films For Consideration!

For the first time since 2002 the Best Animated Feature Oscar category could have 5 nominees instead of the usual 3!

This is because a record 20 animated features have been submitted for consideration in a prolific year for the medium. If 16 or more qualify, 5 slots will be open creating much excitement and tension for fans of animation at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards. I, for one, am extremely excited at the prospect of a more competitive and visible category.

Of course, the front runner and favorite this year is Pixar’s Up but there have been some other animated films of high esteem this year like Ponyo and Coraline, which are both fantastic, and speculation that Fantastic Mr. Fox and Disney’s The Princess and the Frog could join their ranks. Other notables up for consideration include Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Monsters vs. Aliens, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Planet 51 and Mary and Max which could also stand a chance.

You can see the rest of the films up for consideration in The Associated Press’ article. It is of note that not all of the movies on this list can qualify without the mandatory LA theatrical run and some won’t qualify because they may not be intrinsically considered animated films. The Oscars will be televised live on March 7th — get ready for some potentially tough competition when nominations are announced on February 2nd!

Nominee predictions anyone? Winner…?