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
The Angry Birds Movie 3
Animal Farm
Another World
The Cat in the Hat
Cosmic Princess Kaguya!
Fleak
Forgotten Island
GOAT
Hexed
Hoppers
Jesus
LarryBoy
The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender
Mfinda
Minions 3
Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie
Ray Gunn
Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom
Steps
Sunny
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Swapped
Tamala 2030: A Punk Cat in Dark
Toto
Toy Story 5
Wildwood


Notes

• Animal Friends which was released in the U.S. on May 01, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• 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. in 2026 but not an Oscar-qualifying run.

• Jumanji 3 which was released in the U.S. on December 11, 2026 may not be eligible since it is an animated/live-action hybrid.

• The Land of Sometimes received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. in 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.

• 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.

• On the Edge received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. in 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. in 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.

[Sotiris]

Currently, the frontrunners for the 2026 Oscar are:

Forgotten Island
Hexed
Hoppers
The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender
Ray Gunn
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/

[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.