The 10 best animations that won the Oscar for best animated film, according to critics

Animations are already an important part of the cultural industry, with prestige and relevance, and the film industry is no different. Previously belittled and downgraded to a minor art, over the decades animation has conquered audiences and critics and currently sees its artistic value recognised, including the most well-known film award in the world, the Oscar.

For a long time, the Oscars resisted regularly awarding animated films due to the scarcity of productions. Instead, it occasionally awarded special prizes, mostly to Walt Disney Pictures. Before the category was created, only one animated film had been nominated for best picture: Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” (1991).

In this article we will explore the 10 best animations that won the Best Animated Film category at the Oscars, according to specialized critics. To do this, we looked at lists of the best films of all time and major ratings aggregators, such as Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, and Letterboxd.

The Boy and the Crane (2024)

The second Japanese animated film to receive the award, this is a film from acclaimed director Miyazaki Hayao and his equally recognized studio Ghibli. The film marks the return of Miyazaki after his announced retirement in 2013.

After his mother’s death, young Mahito tries to adapt to his new routine in an unfamiliar city. However, a talking heron reveals to him that his mother is still alive, prompting him to embark on an emotional journey to find her.

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Wall E (2008)

The first of many films from the Pixar studio to appear on the list, Wall-E is a hit animation directed by Andrew Stanton. The film has an approval rating of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and is included in Sight and Sound’s list of the best films of 2012 (the publication brings together film critics from all over the world and is updated every 10 years), as well as occupying position 29 in the BBC’s list of the 100 best films of the 21st century.

The film tells the story of the lonely robot Wall-E, who in a dystopian future has the task of cleaning up the dirt from the long-abandoned planet Earth. However, at some point, he meets a modern robot, with which he falls in love.

The Incredibles (2004)

A film from the Pixar studio, the superhero family adventure is directed by Brad Bird. Animation is often featured in the best animated films in history, from publications such as The Guardian, Entertainment Weekly, IGN, among others.

After years of living a peaceful routine with his family, the hero Mr. Incredible still misses the times of heroism and action. However, everything changes when he receives a secret mission to return to active duty. This new danger, however, will require the collaboration of his wife and children.

Ratatouille (2007)

Another animation directed by Brad Bird at Pixar. The gripping story of the chef mouse was a success with critics and audiences, and appears at position 93 in the list of the 100 best films of the 21st century, drawn up with international critics by the BBC, published in 2016.

The story is set in Paris and follows Remy, a mouse with a sophisticated palate and a dream of becoming a great chef. However, the situation changes when he meets a young janitor who has just been hired at a nice restaurant.

Up – Altas Aventuras (2009)

Another great success from the Pixar studio. Directed by Pete Docter, Up – Altas Aventuras has a 98% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a truly impressive number. It is also present in other lists of the best films, such as Empire, 2011.

The adventurous plot follows Carl Fredricksen, an elderly man who, after the death of his wife, lives as a recluse in his house. After a moment of confusion, the authorities try to force him to hospitalize. To avoid losing his home, Carl attaches thousands of balloons to it and takes it on a trip to South America, the dream he and his late wife shared.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

The innovative animation of the famous comic book character looks extremely stunning and has already influenced other productions, such as the 2023 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Chaos. Its success has been immense, being considered one of the best films and films of the character. giving rise to a series of films in the already successful Webhead franchise.

Here we follow Miles Morales, a young black and Latino man who is also Spider-Man. One day he meets Peter Parker, who shares the same powers in another dimension, and thus encounters a multiverse full of adventures and dangers.

Finding Nemo (2003)

Another hugely acclaimed animation from Pixar. Finding Nemo is directed by Andrew Stanton. In 2008, the American Film Institute named it the tenth best American animated film and it is also featured on the BBC’s list of the best films of the 21st century, ranking 96th.

In the film we follow the clownfish Nemo who, separated from his father, ends up being captured by a diver and brought to dry land. From there, his father goes on a fun and emotional journey to find his son.

Inside Out (2015)

An imaginative exploration of human emotion, Pete Docter’s Inside Out won over critics with its originality. In the BBC’s list of the best films of the 21st century, it ranked 41st. It was recognized as the best animation of all time by the philosophy magazine “Film and Philosophy”.

In the film we follow the mind and emotions of an 11-year-old girl who needs to get used to a new routine after moving to another city. However, it all escalates after a confusion of emotions, all in the control room of your brain.

Toy Story 3 (2010)

The third installment of the beloved Toy Story series, directed by Lee Unkrich, moved critics and viewers with its touching narrative of friendship and separation. The film achieved an impressive 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was ranked fourth among the best films of 2010 by the acclaimed French film magazine Cahiers du Cinéma.

Young Andy has grown up and is now preparing to go to university. In this way all his toys fear being forgotten by the owner. Due to the confusion, they end up in a nursery. So Woody and his friends look for a way to escape and return to Andy’s house.

Spirited Away (2001)

The first foreign film to win the Oscar for best animated film, Spirited Away is a Japanese animated film directed by master Miyazaki Hayao. The film is a traditional 2D animation set in a world of fantasy and mystery, with high doses of experimentation.

The film is present in several lists of the best films of all time, such as those already mentioned by Sight and Sound, which occupies 77th place, and the BBC, with an impressive 4th place. It also has a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

In the plot we follow the young Chihiro. She and her family are moving to a new city, but during the trip, due to a mistake, her parents are transformed into pigs. Now Chihiro must save them and to do so she will enter a magical world full of dangers.

The Top 10 Animations That Won the Oscar for Best Animation According to Critics appeared first on Olhar Digital.

Source: Olhar Digital

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.