Oscar for Best Animated Feature 2026

[Sotiris]

Previously: Oscar for Best Animated Feature 2025

The eligible features for the 2026 Academy Awards are the following.

Allah Is Not Obliged
All You Need Is Kill
The Angry Birds Movie 3
Animal Farm
Another World
Bebefinn Sing-Along Movie: Into the Pinkfong World
The Cat in the Hat
Cosmic Princess Kaguya!
Decorado
Fleak
Forgotten Island
GOAT
Hexed
Hoppers
I Am Frankelda
Jinsei
Julián
The Land of Sometimes
The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender
Mfinda
Minions & Monsters
Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie
Ray Gunn
The Ribbon Hero
Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom
Steps
Sunny
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Swapped
Tamala 2030: A Punk Cat in Dark
Toy Story 5
Wildwood


Notes

• The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on June 04, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War — The Calamity received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on June 25, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Buffalo Kids received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on February 06, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Charlie the Wonderdog received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on January 16, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Coyote vs. Acme which was released in the U.S. on August 28, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• The Dangers in My Heart: The Movie received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on February 16, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Disclosure Day which was released in the U.S. on June 12, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• Dune: Part Three which was released in the U.S. on December 18, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• Godzilla Minus Zero which was released in the U.S. on November 06, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle — Interactive Movie received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on February 27, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Jumanji: Open World which was released in the U.S. on December 25, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• Kingdom Games received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on July 24, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Klara and the Sun which was released in the U.S. on October 23, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• Labyrinth received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on May 10, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• The Last Whale Singer received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on June 05, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Lupin the IIIrd: The Movie — The Immortal Bloodline received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on January 04, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Mars received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on February 20, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Masters of the Universe which was released in the U.S. on June 05, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• Moana which was released in the U.S. on July 10, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway — The Sorcery of Nymph Circe received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on May 15, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Mortal Kombat II which was released in the U.S. on May 15, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• The Odyssey which was released in the U.S. on July 17, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• Out of the Nest received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on January 09, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• The Pout-Pout Fish received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on March 20, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Practical Magic 2 which was released in the U.S. on September 11, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• Project Hail Mary which was released in the U.S. on March 20, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• The Quran which was released in the U.S. on March 19, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• Ramayana: Part I which was released in the U.S. on November 08, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• The Sheep Detectives which was released in the U.S. on May 08, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu which was released in the U.S. on May 22, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• Stranger Things: Tales From '85 received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on April 18, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Street Fighter which was released in the U.S. on October 16, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• Tafiti: Across the Desert received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on January 30, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Takeover which was released in the U.S. on May 08, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on May 01, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Time Hoppers: The Silk Road received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on February 07, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on September 09, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Umamusume: Pretty Derby — Beginning of a New Era received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on February 27, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Whoever Steals This Book received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. in 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on January 19, 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

[Sotiris]

Currently, the frontrunners for the 2026 Oscar are:

Forgotten Island
Hexed
Hoppers
The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender
Ray Gunn
Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom
Toy Story 5
Wildwood

[Farerb]

2026 is going to be more competitive than 2025.

[Sotiris]

Coming Attractions: 26 Pics in the Mix in ’26
https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/ ... mix-in-26/

Upcoming Animated Movies Calendar: A Look At 2026 Feature Animation Releases
https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-fil ... 57835.html

A Too Early Look at the 2026 Best Animated Feature Oscars Race
https://www.indiewire.com/features/comm ... 235185341/

Why 2026 Is a High Stakes Year for Original Animated Films
https://www.thewrap.com/creative-conten ... originals/

[Sotiris]

The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender is going straight to streaming. It's unknown whether it will still receive a limited theatrical run to qualify for awards.

‘Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender’ Will Skip Theaters and Debut on Paramount+ Alongside New ‘Seven Havens’ Series
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ ... 236457907/

[PatchofBlue]

Rather selfish on their part, since that's the exact kind of movie that might just get kids back to the theaters.

And I'm not even sure it's that financially sound. I might be curious enough to voyage to the theaters to check it out. But I aint adding another streaming service to my catalogue just for one movie.

[Sotiris]

Looks good so far. I think it may have a real chance of winning.

Set Your Sights on Brad Bird’s Animated Detective Noir Ray Gunn
https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/ ... first-look

[PatchofBlue]

It looks really neat. I'll be keeping my eyes on this one for sure.

My valid concern remains whether it'll gain any lasting traction as a streaming exclusive. Even the interesting movies that land there never seem to hold anyone's attention for very long.

I know I'm writing this in the wake of "K-POP: Demon Hunters," but that was a bit of a rarity. Very few movies that skip theaters find that kind of stride. Until streaming services start radically reshaping how they exhibit their content, I fear they're just throwing everything into the blender and pressing puree.

[Sotiris]

Annecy Festival Reveals Feature Film Selections, Program Highlights & More
https://www.animationmagazine.net/2026/ ... ghts-more/