Ever wondered what goes into making those animated movies that leave us spellbound? The Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film recognizes films that employ animation to tell compelling stories. This renowned award recognizes the creativity and technical talent that go into animated storytelling. But what exactly makes a film worthy of this honor? It’s all about the complicated process of bringing characters to life via frame-by-frame animation. From timeless masterpieces to modern marvels, these films have captivated audiences across the world.
In this blog, we’ll explore a year-by-year Oscar-winning animated movie list by famous animators, starting from its inception in the year 2022, awarded to films released in 2001.
2002: Shrek
In 2002, the Oscar for best animated film went to “Shrek,” produced by PDI/DreamWorks Production and DreamWorks. Aron Warner accepted the prestigious award on behalf of the team. While the film didn’t clinch any additional Oscars, it gathered recognition with a nomination for adapted screenplay, credited to Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S.H. Schulman.
Notably, “Shrek” earned its place in cinematic history when it was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2020. The movie’s soundtrack also made waves, climbing to No. 28 on the Billboard 200 chart. Featuring hits like Smash Mouth’s “All-Star” and a remake of The Monkees’ “I’m a Believer,” specially recorded for the film, the soundtrack added another layer of magic to this beloved animated classic.
2003: Spirited Away
In 2003, the enchanting masterpiece “Spirited Away” took the world by storm. Crafted by Studio Ghibli Production and Buena Vista [Japan], this captivating film earned Hayao Miyazaki the Best Animated Film Oscar. With its mesmerizing tale and breathtaking animation, “Spirited Away” made history as the first Japanese, hand-drawn, and non-English language film to triumph in the category.
While it didn’t secure any additional Oscars or nominations, Miyazaki’s unmatched storytelling skill was celebrated with an honorary Oscar in 2014. The Academy addressed him as “a master storyteller whose animated artistry has stimulated filmmakers and audiences globally,” solidifying his legacy in the world of animation.
2004: Finding Nemo
In 2004, Finding Nemo was the best-animated movie to win an Oscar. The charming tale of a father’s quest to find his son won over viewers. Produced by Pixar Animation Studios and Buena Vista, the Oscar went to Andrew Stanton.
While the film didn’t win any additional Oscars, it garnered nods for its outstanding original score by Thomas Newman and impressive sound editing. The film’s engaging screenplay, penned by Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, and David Reynolds, also earned recognition. Moreover, the film’s soundtrack, “Finding Nemo: Ocean Favorites,” made waves, reaching No. 156 on the Billboard 200 chart.
2005: The Incredibles
In 2005, the action-packed adventure “The Incredibles” soared to victory, winning the best animated movie Oscar. Hailing from Pixar Animation Studios Production and Buena Vista, this superhero saga was directed by the talented Brad Bird.
While the film secured the Oscar for sound editing by Michael Silvers and Randy Thom, its captivating sound mixing by Randy Thom, Gary A. Rizzo, and Doc Kane and Bird’s skillful original screenplay by Brad Bird also earned well-deserved nominations.
2006: Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
In 2006, “Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” prevailed at the Oscars, securing the award for Best Animated Feature Film. Produced by Aardman Animations Limited and DreamWorks Animation SKG, this delightful film was brought to life by Nick Park and Steve Box. Making history, Park and Box became the first creatives from the U.K. to win in this category.
Park had previously secured three Oscars for short films, further solidifying his animation expertise and marking his name among the Best Oscar-winning short films. “Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” also made waves as the first stop-motion animated film to receive the prestigious award.
2007: Happy Feet
Among the best-animated film nominees in 2007, “Happy Feet” earned the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, which George Miller received for his directorial efforts. Produced by Kingdom Pictures, LLC and Warner Bros. from Australia and the U.S.A., respectively, this film marked a milestone as the first motion-capture-related computer-animated film to secure the prestigious honor before a rule change in 2010.
Miller became the first Australian creative to win in this category. While the film didn’t scoop up additional Oscars or nominations, its soundtrack, featuring iconic tunes like Prince’s “Song of the Heart” and The Beach Boys’ “Do It Again,” made waves, reaching No. 51 on the Billboard 200 chart. Despite Prince’s song winning a Golden Globe for Best Original Song, it was not nominated for an Oscar.
2008: Ratatouille
In 2008, “Ratatouille” made history as one of the award-winning cartoon films. Directed by Brad Bird, the film earned acclaim for its culinary storytelling and was recognized with an Oscar win for Best Animated Feature. Produced by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney, “Ratatouille” stood out as a cinematic masterpiece, with Bird’s directorial skill earning him the distinction of being the first two-time winner in the category.
Alongside its nomination for Best Picture, “Ratatouille” also received nods in several other Oscar categories, including Original Score, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Original Screenplay.
2009: WALL-E
“WALL-E” captivated audiences and critics, earning acclaim as one of the standout Oscar-winning animated movies of the year 2009. Directed by Andrew Stanton and produced by Pixar Animation Studios in collaboration with Walt Disney, the film got recognition at the Oscars, with Stanton taking home the award for Best Animated Feature.
Moreover, “WALL-E” also received notable nominations in categories such as Original Score, Original Song, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Original Screenplay. Andrew Stanton’s directorial talent led him to become the second individual to win the Best Animated Feature award twice, having previously succeeded for “Finding Nemo” in 2003. Additionally, “WALL-E” left a lasting impact, earning a place in the National Film Registry in 2021. The film’s memorable soundtrack also achieved commercial success, reaching No. 127 on the Billboard 200 chart.
2010: Up
In 2010, “Up” lifted hearts and spirits with its enchanting tale and stunning animation. Produced by Pixar Animation Studios in partnership with Walt Disney and directed by Pete Docter, the film secured the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Its remarkable soundtrack, composed by Michael Giacchino, also earned it an Oscar win.
Beyond its wins, “Up” gathered significant attention by receiving animated movies nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, making it the only animated film in history, after “Beauty and the Beast,” to achieve such recognition. This milestone underscored the film’s profound impact, showcasing the power of animation to tell fascinating stories that resonate with audiences on a profound level.
2011: Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3 captivated audiences worldwide with its heartwarming tale and impeccable animation. Produced by Pixar Animation Studios in partnership with Walt Disney and directed by Lee Unkrich, the film earned an Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2011. Additionally, it earned acclaim for its original song, “We Belong Together,” composed by Randy Newman, which also secured an Oscar win.
Additionally, “Toy Story 3” made history by becoming the third animated film ever to obtain a nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars. This achievement marked the fourth consecutive year that a Pixar film secured this honored nomination, setting a remarkable record in the annals of animation history.
2012: Rango
In 2012, the animated feature “Rango” stood out at the Oscars, securing the admired award for Best Animated Feature. Produced by Paramount Pictures, with Paramount handling distribution, the film was a testament to the creative vision of director Gore Verbinski.
While “Rango” didn’t pull off any additional Oscars, its nomination count remained notable, further solidifying its place in the world of animated cinema.
2013: Brave
In 2013, Pixar Animation Studios, in collaboration with Walt Disney, brought forth the captivating animated feature “Brave.” Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, the film captivated audiences and earned critical acclaim. Notably, Chapman’s win marked a historic moment as she became the first woman to triumph in this category.
Despite not securing additional Oscar wins or nominations, “Brave” left an indelible mark, complemented by its enchanting soundtrack, which resonated with audiences, reaching No. 33 on the Billboard 200 chart.
2014: Frozen
Walt Disney Feature Animation presented the magical tale of “Frozen” and won the Oscars best-animated film award in 2014. Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee and produced by Peter Del Vecho, the film swept audiences off their feet and gained significant recognition. Buck, Lee, and Del Vecho made history as the first three-member creative team to succeed in this category at the Oscars.
One of the film’s standout achievements was its captivating original song, “Let It Go,” composed by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, which earned an Oscar win. The impact of “Frozen” extended beyond the silver screen, with its soundtrack dominating the Billboard 200 chart for an impressive 13 weeks. Additionally, Idina Menzel’s rendition of “Let It Go” ascended to No. 5 on the Hot 100 chart, further solidifying the film’s cultural significance.
2015: Big Hero 6
The heartwarming adventure of “Big Hero 6,” a creation of Walt Disney Animation Studios, won the Oscars in 2015. Directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams and produced by Roy Conli, this animated masterpiece captured the imagination of audiences worldwide.
While the film didn’t secure any additional Oscar wins or nominations, its impact resonated deeply with viewers, showcasing the talent and creativity of the team behind it.
2016: Inside Out
2016’s Oscar best-animated film “Inside Out,” a Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney presentation, is a captivating exploration of emotions directed by Pete Docter and produced by Jonas Rivera. While the film didn’t secure any additional Oscar wins, its nomination for original screenplay, crafted by Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, and Josh Cooley, highlighted its compelling storytelling.
Notably, Pete Docter’s involvement marked his second win in the category, following his previous success with “Up” in 2009.
2017: Zootopia
The 2017 Best Animated Feature winner, “Zootopia,” is a Walt Disney Animation Studios presentation. The film’s directors, Byron Howard, Rich Moore, and Clark Spencer, took home the prestigious Oscar.
While this animated feature film didn’t secure any additional wins or nominations, its vibrant soundtrack was loved by audiences all over the globe, reaching No. 121 on the Billboard 200 chart.
2018: Coco
In 2018, the Pixar-Disney collaboration “Coco” was the award-winning animated movie that took home the Oscar, credited to Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson. While the film didn’t obtain any other nominations, it secured a win for its original song, “Remember Me,” by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.
The film’s victory marked Unkrich’s second win in the category, following his previous success with “Toy Story 3” in 2010. Additionally, the soundtrack of “Coco” achieved significant recognition, reaching No. 39 on the Billboard 200 chart.
2019: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
In 2019, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” a production by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation and distribution by Sony Pictures Releasing, secured the Oscar. The honor was bestowed upon Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord, and Christopher Miller. Notably, this marked the first time a creative team of five members won in this category, with Ramsey also becoming the first Black filmmaker to achieve this award.
The film’s soundtrack became popular, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Particularly, the song “Sunflower” by Post Malone & Swae Lee made history by becoming the first track from an animated film to top the Billboard Hot 100 since Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” from “Trolls” in 2016. “Sunflower” also received a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year.
2020: Toy Story 4
In 2020, “Toy Story 4,” created by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney, secured the Oscar. Josh Cooley, Mark Nielsen, and Jonas Rivera received the prestigious award. Notably, this win marked a significant milestone as the Toy Story franchise became the first to win the award twice in this category.
Additionally, Rivera achieved another feat by becoming the fifth two-time animated Oscar winner in this category, having previously won for “Inside Out” in 2015. While the film didn’t receive any other Oscar wins, it garnered a nomination for the original song “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” by Randy Newman. The soundtrack of Toy Story 4 also featured Chris Stapleton’s “The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy.”
2021: Soul
In 2021, “Soul,” a production of Walt Disney Animation Studios, won the Oscar. Pete Docter and Dana Murray received the prestigious award for their remarkable contribution. This victory marked a historic moment as Docter became the first individual to win three times in the category.
Prior to “Soul,” he had garnered acclaim for his work on “Up” in 2009 and “Inside Out” in 2015. Additionally, “Soul” secured another Oscar win for its original score, composed by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Jon Batiste. Though nominated, the film did not secure any wins in the sound category.
2022: Encanto
In 2022, “Encanto,” produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, took home the prestigious Oscar award. The honor was bestowed upon Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino, and Clark Spencer for their outstanding contribution to the film. Yvett Merino made history as the first creative from Mexico to win in this category.
“Encanto” earned nominations for its original score by Germaine Franco and the original song “Dos Oruguitas” by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Clark Spencer and Byron Howard, who had previously collaborated on “Zootopia,” celebrated another success with “Encanto.” The film’s soundtrack enjoyed immense popularity, claiming the number-one place on the Billboard 200 chart for nine weeks. Moreover, the catchy song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” dominated the Hot 100 chart for five weeks.
2023: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
In 2023, “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” a production of Netflix Animation, earned the esteemed Oscar award. The honor was conferred upon Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson, Gary Ungar, and Alex Bulkley for their remarkable contribution to the film. This victory marked a significant milestone for del Toro, as he became the first individual to secure Oscars for both Best Picture (“The Shape of Water”) and Best Animated Feature Film (“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”).
Del Toro played a multifaceted role in the creation of the film, serving as a co-writer, co-director, and co-producer. During his acceptance speech, del Toro emphasized the importance of distinguishing animation as a form of cinema, underscoring its potential for further evolution.
2024: The Boy and the Heron
Our Oscar award-winning animated movies list ends with “The Boy and the Heron,” a production of GKids/Toho that pulled off the prestigious award in 2024. Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki received this esteemed acknowledgment for their outstanding contribution to the film. Miyazaki’s win marked a significant milestone as he became the first non-American to secure two victories in this category, having previously won in 2002 for “Spirited Away.”
Hailing from Japan, Miyazaki’s achievement also positions him as one of the pioneering Asians to claim two Oscars in any category, joining the ranks of Taiwanese director Ang Lee. Furthermore, “The Boy and the Heron” stands as the second Japanese film to triumph in this category, highlighting the enduring impact of Japanese animation on the global stage.
Final Words
The history of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature is a testimony to the diverse and innovative storytelling within the animation industry. From the groundbreaking success of early winners like “Spirited Away” and “Shrek” to the more recent victories of films like “Soul” and “Encanto,” each year brings new milestones and achievements.
Directors, producers, and animators from around the world continue to push the boundaries of imagination, resulting in captivating films that resonate with audiences of all ages. Looking forward to contributing to the future of animation? Connect with our experts at Anideos for 3d animation services!
