In 2024, Inside Out 2 not only became the highest-grossing film of the year but also secured its place as the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Despite this historic achievement, it was overlooked in the Best Picture Oscar race, alongside other critically acclaimed animated films such as The Wild Robot and Flow. This exclusion has reignited a push within the animation industry for broader recognition, as filmmakers seek to break free from the perception that animated films belong solely to a niche category.
Merlin Crossingham, co-director of Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, emphasized the need for animation to be considered alongside live-action films for major awards. Industry veterans like Bonnie Arnold, who has worked with Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks, echoed this sentiment, noting that animated films still face a “glass ceiling” despite their commercial and critical successes.
Historically, only a few animated films have broken through to the Best Picture category, including Beauty and the Beast (1991), Up (2009), and Toy Story 3 (2010). However, in recent years, this recognition has become rare, partly due to the lingering perception that animated films are primarily for children. Arnold argues that family-oriented elements should not diminish the artistic merit of animated films, as they can resonate with audiences of all ages.
Director Peter Docter suggested that for animated films to gain serious Oscar consideration, they need to elevate their storytelling and avoid relying too heavily on lowbrow humor. However, there has been progress, with Memoir of a Snail becoming only the second R-rated animated film to earn an Oscar nomination.
Smaller productions also made significant waves this year. Latvia’s Flow, a dialogue-free film about animals surviving after a flood, defied expectations by securing nominations in both the Best International Film and Best Animated Feature categories, marking a historic first for Latvia.
Meanwhile, The Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders, captivated audiences with its hand-painted aesthetic and emotional narrative, earning a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the challenges animated films face in gaining recognition in major award categories, industry leaders remain optimistic about breaking barriers in the near future.
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