The Oscars 2025 Animated Race: Can Disney Bounce Back?

Disney’s reign over the Oscars’ Best Animated Feature category could face a historic setback in 2025. For the first time since the category was introduced in 2001, the animation giant might go three consecutive years without winning an Oscar. While Pixar’s Inside Out 2 offers a glimmer of hope, it faces stiff competition from both established and indie contenders.

This year’s nominees for Best Animated Feature include Pixar’s Inside Out 2, DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot, Latvian film Flow, Madman Entertainment’s Memoir of a Snail, and Aardman’s Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.

Disney’s recent struggles in the category are evident. Despite Moana 2 surpassing $1 billion at the global box office, it failed to secure a nomination. Instead, Pixar’s sequel to the beloved 2015 hit Inside Out carries Disney’s hopes into the race.

Meet the Contenders

• Inside Out 2
  Pixar’s latest film dives into Riley’s teenage years as new emotions like Anxiety and Embarrassment join the mix. A global box office success, it became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, overtaking Frozen 2. The emotional depth and stunning visuals make it a strong contender, but will it be enough?
• The Wild Robot
  Directed by Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stitch), this DreamWorks feature brings the heartwarming story of a robot adapting to life on a remote island while caring for an orphaned gosling. It’s a critical darling with a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.
• Flow
  This visually stunning Latvian film by Gints Zilbalodis tells a wordless story about survival and coexistence in the aftermath of a great flood. Its unique style and emotional depth make it a standout among this year’s nominees.
• Memoir of a Snail
  A heartfelt tale of loss, friendship, and self-discovery, this film has gained widespread praise for its humor and emotional storytelling. From the Oscar-winning filmmaker Adam Elliot, it offers a poignant viewing experience.
• Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
  Aardman’s claymation heroes return in a hilarious adventure with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. Their comedic and inventive storytelling could steal the spotlight from bigger studios.

Disney’s Oscar History

Disney has dominated the Best Animated Feature category, winning with films like Encanto, Frozen, and Zootopia. Pixar, its subsidiary, has been its biggest asset, earning multiple Oscars with films like Soul and Coco. But in the last two years, Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio have broken Disney’s winning streak.

If Disney fails to win this year, it will mark an unprecedented three-year drought, signaling a shift in the animation industry where indie studios and international creators are gaining ground.

A Historic Oscars Night Awaits

The 2025 Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien on March 2, could mark a turning point for animated films. Whether Inside Out 2 brings Disney back to the top or a smaller studio takes the prize, history will be made.

Stay tuned as the Oscar race unfolds!