Have you ever been curious about what contributes to the creation of those captivating animated films? The Academy Award for Best Animated Film honors the best-animated movies that utilize the art of animation to convey engaging narratives.
This prestigious award acknowledges the ingenuity and skill involved in animated storytelling. What precisely qualifies a movie for this distinction? It revolves around the intricate procedure of animating characters to life through frame-by-frame techniques. From the best-animated movies of all time to contemporary wonders, these films have enchanted audiences across the globe.
In this blog, we will reflect on several of the most incredibly enchanting and impressive animated films. Whether you’re a fan of classic masterpieces or the best cartoon movies ever created, there’s something here for everyone. Alright, let’s dive straight into it!
Shrek
In 2002, the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature was awarded to Shrek, created by PDI/DreamWorks Productions alongside DreamWorks. Aron Warner received the esteemed accolade for the entire team. Although the film did not win any more Oscars, it received acknowledgment with a nomination for adapted screenplay, attributed to Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S.H. Schulman.
Significantly, Shrek secured its position in film history after being added to the National Film Registry in 2020. The film’s soundtrack generated buzz, reaching No. 28 on the Billboard 200 chart. The score included popular songs such as Smash Mouth’s “All-Star” and a remake of The Monkees’ “I’m a Believer,” exclusively recorded for the movie, making this all-time favorite among the best-animated movies even more special.
With its unique charm and wit, Shrek is often celebrated as one of the best cartoon films ever made, earning its place in the hearts of audiences worldwide. It’s definitely one of the animation top movies that has left a lasting impact on the genre.
It takes a great team of animators and creative minds to come up with a masterpiece like this. If you have a similar idea to the movie Shrek, then get in touch with a highly reputable 3D animation company and make your vision come to life.
Finding Nemo
In 2004, Finding Nemo won the Oscar for best animated film. The delightful story of a father’s journey to find his son captivated audiences. Created by Pixar Animation Studios and Buena Vista, the Oscar was awarded to Andrew Stanton.
Although the film did not secure any more Oscars, it received nominations for its exceptional original score by Thomas Newman and notable sound editing. The engaging screenplay of the film, written by Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, and David Reynolds, received acclaim as well. Additionally, the movie’s soundtrack, Finding Nemo: Ocean Favorites, created a splash, peaking at No. 156 on the Billboard 200 list.
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Finding Nemo remains one of the greatest animated films of all time, earning a spot among the recommended animated movies for both children and adults. It’s a timeless classic in the world of best animated movies, with its heartwarming story and stunning animation.
The Incredibles
In 2005, the thrilling adventure “The Incredibles” triumphed, claiming the Oscar for best animated feature. Originating from Pixar Animation Studios Production and Buena Vista, this superhero story was directed by the skilled Brad Bird.
Although the movie won the Oscar for sound editing thanks to Michael Silvers and Randy Thom, its impressive sound mixing done by Randy Thom, Gary A. Rizzo, and Doc Kane, along with Brad Bird’s amazing original screenplay, also received well-earned nominations.
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Happy Feet
Of the nominees for Best Animated Film in 2007, “Happy Feet” won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, an award received by George Miller for his direction. Created by Kingdom Pictures, LLC and Warner Bros. from Australia and the U.S.A., respectively, this movie was significant as the first computer-animated film utilizing motion capture to achieve the esteemed accolade before a rule alteration in 2010.
Miller was the first Australian to achieve a win in this category. Although the film didn’t win any more Oscars or nominations, its soundtrack, which includes legendary songs such as Prince’s “Song of the Heart” and The Beach Boys’ “Do It Again,” gained popularity, reaching No. 51 on the Billboard 200 chart. Even though Prince’s track secured a Golden Globe for Best Original Song, it did not receive an Oscar nomination.
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Ratatouille
In 2008, “Ratatouille” became a landmark as one of the acclaimed animated movies. Directed by Brad Bird, the movie garnered praise for its culinary narrative and received an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Created by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney, “Ratatouille” emerged as a cinematic gem, with Bird’s directing talent making him the first-ever two-time winner in that category.
In addition to being nominated for Best Picture, “Ratatouille” earned nominations in various other Oscar categories, such as Original Score, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Original Screenplay.
WALL-E
“WALL-E” enchanted viewers and reviewers alike, receiving praise as one of the highlights among Oscar-winning animated films of 2009. Directed by Andrew Stanton and created by Pixar Animation Studios in partnership with Walt Disney, the film earned accolades at the Oscars, with Stanton winning the award for Best Animated Feature.
In addition, “WALL-E” garnered significant nominations in areas like Original Score, Original Song, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Original Screenplay. Andrew Stanton’s directorial skill made him the second person to win the Best Animated Feature award twice, as he had already won for “Finding Nemo” in 2003.
Furthermore, “WALL-E” made a significant impression, securing a spot in the National Film Registry in 2021. The film’s iconic soundtrack gained commercial success as well, peaking at No. 127 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Up
In 2010, “Up” inspired joy and positivity through its captivating story and beautiful animation. Created by Pixar Animation Studios in collaboration with Walt Disney and directed by Pete Docter, the movie won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. The extraordinary score, created by Michael Giacchino, also secured it an Oscar victory.
In addition to its victories, “Up” garnered considerable attention by being nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, making it the only animated film ever, after “Beauty and the Beast,” to receive such an honor. This achievement highlighted the film’s significant influence, demonstrating animation’s ability to convey captivating narratives that deeply connect with viewers.
Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3 enchanted viewers globally with its touching storyline and flawless animation. Created by Pixar Animation Studios in collaboration with Walt Disney and directed by Lee Unkrich, the movie won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2011. Furthermore, it received praise for its unique song, “We Belong Together,” created by Randy Newman, which also gained an Oscar award.
Furthermore, “Toy Story 3” made history as the third animated movie to receive a nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars. This milestone represents the fourth straight year a Pixar film received this prestigious nomination, establishing an impressive record in the chronicles of animation history.
Frozen
Walt Disney Feature Animation showcased the enchanting story of “Frozen” and received the Oscar for best-animated feature in 2014. Co-directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee and produced by Peter Del Vecho, the movie captivated audiences and received considerable acclaim. Buck, Lee, and Del Vecho achieved a milestone as the first trio of creatives to win in this category at the Oscars.
A remarkable highlight of the film was its enchanting original track, “Let It Go,” created by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, which secured an Oscar victory. The influence of “Frozen” went beyond the cinema, as its soundtrack led the Billboard 200 chart for a remarkable 13 weeks. Moreover, Idina Menzel’s performance of “Let It Go” climbed to No. 5 on the Hot 100 chart, reinforcing the movie’s cultural impact.
Zootopia
The 2017 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature went to “Zootopia,” a production by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The film’s directors, Byron Howard, Rich Moore, and Clark Spencer, received the esteemed Oscar award.
Although this animated feature film did not achieve any further victories or nominations, its lively soundtrack was adored by viewers worldwide, peaking at No. 121 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Coco
The animated film “Coco,” a joint effort by Pixar and Disney, won the Oscar in 2018, thanks to the work of Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson. Although the film did not receive any additional nominations, it achieved victory for its original song, “Remember Me,” composed by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.
The film’s triumph signified Unkrich’s second win in this category, after his earlier achievement with “Toy Story 3” in 2010. Moreover, the music from “Coco” garnered notable acclaim, peaking at No. 39 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Source: Posteritati
Alt text: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse poster
In 2019, the Oscar was awarded to “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” a film produced by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation and released by Sony Pictures Releasing. The accolade was granted to Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord, and Christopher Miller. Significantly, this was the initial instance a creative group of five won in this category, with Ramsey also being the first Black filmmaker to secure this honor.
The movie’s soundtrack gained widespread popularity, hitting No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Notably, the song “Sunflower” by Post Malone & Swae Lee made history as it became the first song from an animated movie to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 since Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” from “Trolls” in 2016. “Sunflower” was nominated for a Grammy for Record of the Year as well.
Toy Story 4
In 2020, “Toy Story 4,” produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney, won the Oscar. Josh Cooley, Mark Nielsen, and Jonas Rivera were honored with the esteemed award. Significantly, this victory represented an important milestone since the Toy Story franchise was the first to receive the award twice in this category.
Furthermore, Rivera accomplished another milestone by becoming the fifth two-time animated Oscar recipient in this category, having earlier won for “Inside Out” in 2015. Although the film didn’t achieve any additional Oscar victories, it did earn a nomination for the original song “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” by Randy Newman. The score of Toy Story 4 included Chris Stapleton’s “The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy.”
Soul
In 2021, “Soul,” created by Walt Disney Animation Studios, received the Oscar. Pete Docter and Dana Murray were honored with the esteemed award for their outstanding contribution. This triumph marked a significant occasion as Docter became the inaugural person to achieve three wins in the category.
Before “Soul,” he received recognition for his contributions to “Up” in 2009 and “Inside Out” in 2015. Moreover, “Soul” achieved another Oscar victory for its original score, created by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Jon Batiste. Despite being nominated, the film failed to achieve any victories in the sound category.
Final Words
The evolution of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature reflects the variety and creativity in storytelling throughout the animation sector. From the pioneering success of early champions such as “Spirited Away” and “Shrek” to the latest triumphs of films like “Soul” and “Encanto,” every year introduces fresh milestones and accomplishments.
Filmmakers, producers, and animators globally persist in expanding the limits of creativity, leading to enchanting movies that engage viewers of every age. Eager to make a difference in the future of animation? Get in touch with our specialists at Prolific Studio, one of the best Hollywood animation studios, for 3D animation services!
