As we reach the halfway point of 2025, the race for Best Animated Feature at the 98th Academy Awards remains wide open. Unlike past years, when clear frontrunners emerged early (Think “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” or “Soul“), this year has yet to deliver a consensus favorite. While some major players have already debuted, no single film has definitively captured both the box office and critical acclaim in a way that screams lock for a nomination (Not in America at least, but China would say otherwise for “Ne Zha 2“).
Several strong contenders from the first half of the year could ultimately shape the lineup, but it’s still anyone’s game. So far in 2025, three animated films have emerged as potential Oscar contenders. Pixar’s “Elio“ is an emotionally resonant sci-fi adventure about identity and connection, featuring vibrant world-building and a strong voice cast led by Zoe Saldaña. “Ne Zha 2,“ the record-breaking Chinese sequel, has become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, showcasing dazzling visuals and mythic storytelling that could prompt the Academy to add more global animation to its nominees this year. Meanwhile, “The Colors Within,“ a visually poetic Japanese film directed by Naoko Yamada, utilizes the lens of synesthesia to explore friendship and emotion with quiet power. All three films bring something unique to the table, but with the biggest awards contenders likely still to come this fall (like “Zootopia 2“ and “In Your Dreams”), the race for Best Animated Feature is anyone’s to win.
The Fantasia International Film Festival is known for showcasing some of the boldest, most original animation from around the world — and this year’s lineup could yield a few surprises come awards season. Here are 12 animated features in the lineup that might show up in the conversation.
“All You Need Is Kill”
A high-octane blend of sci-fi and anime, “All You Need Is Kill” could make waves this awards season as a standout in the Best Animated Feature race. Adapted from Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s influential novel — which also inspired “Edge of Tomorrow” — this latest adaptation flips the script by centering on Rita, a formidable heroine caught in a brutal time loop as she battles an alien menace. Directed with precision by Kenichiro Akimoto and brought to life by the ever-daring STUDIO4°C, the film delivers stunning, kinetic animation and emotionally charged storytelling. With its bold visual style, genre-savvy execution, and fresh narrative perspective, it’s exactly the kind of ambitious animated filmmaking that may catch the Academy’s eye — especially in a year without a Studio Ghibli frontrunner.
“ChaO”
The same thing could be said for “ChaO”. With its vibrant hand-drawn animation and genre-defying charm, this Yasuhiro Aoki-directed and Studio 4ºC-produced psychedelic spin on “The Little Mermaid” unfolds in a futuristic, neon-lit Shanghai where humans and merfolk coexist. The story follows a bewildered ship designer suddenly engaged to a mermaid princess, sparking a romantic comedy as wild as its visual palette. Crafted over seven years and more than 100,000 frames, “ChaO” is a labor of love that, again, could catch the Academy’s eye in a Ghibli-less year, much like“Mirai” did. With its originality, intricate world-building, and emotional depth beneath the chaos, this dazzling feature is more than just eye candy– it might be a serious contender hiding in plain sight.
“Death Does Not Exist”
A hauntingly lyrical meditation on memory, revolution, and grief, “Death Does Not Exist” arrives as a striking hand-drawn contender in this year’s animation awards race. Directed by Félix Dufour-Laperrière (Archipel), this decade-in-the-making feature debuted to acclaim at Cannes and Annecy, standing out for its poetic structure and visual artistry. The film follows a group of young radicals whose violent act against a powerful family spirals into tragedy, with one woman reliving the event through fractured recollection and lingering guilt. Rich with emotion and painted in expressive, ever-shifting color, it echoes the thematic gravitas of “Princess Mononoke” while forging its own distinct path. In a year where voters may look beyond studio heavyweights, this quietly devastating, painterly film could emerge as a surprise Oscar nominee.
“Dog Of God”
Bold, grotesque, and hypnotic, “Dog of God” marks a major statement from the Latvian animation scene, and could follow in the footsteps of “Flow” by capturing Academy attention, especially among voters who appreciate darker fare. Set in a desolate 17th-century Baltic village, the film blends folk horror, black comedy, and religious allegory into a fever dream of rotoscoped surrealism. Co-directed by Raitis and Lauris Ābele, it’s a savage and visually arresting descent into madness, where alchemy, lust, and ecclesiastical power collide– all stirred by the arrival of a devilish outsider with a disturbing “gift.” While its graphic content may polarize, the film’s originality, thematic audacity, and stylistic bravura could resonate with voters seeking something truly transgressive in the animation category.
“Fixed”
From Sony Pictures Animation and Genndy Tartakovsky comes “Fixed,” a boundary-pushing adult comedy that may surprise as an animated feature contender, especially given Sony’s recent Oscar-winning streak with “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and “Across the Spider-Verse.” This raunchy romp follows Bull (Adam Devine), a lovable mutt with a libido as big as his heart, who races against time (and a looming vet appointment) to indulge in one last night of unneutered freedom. Tartakovsky, known for “Samurai Jack” and “Primal,” brings his signature blend of wild energy, slapstick chaos, and emotional sincerity to this R-rated cartoon, pairing outrageous humor with a story about loyalty and self-acceptance. With its fearless tone and the pedigree of a studio that’s already earned Academy gold, “Fixed” could prove hard to dismiss– even with its balls-out approach.
“The Girl Who Stole Time”
Inspired by personal grief and set in a magical coastal village, this Chinese fantasy blends sci-fi adventure with heartfelt drama. Co-directors Yu Ao and Zhou Tienan tell the story of Qian Xiao, a cheerful village girl who gains the power to control time after a mysterious crash. As she experiments with her new abilities, she becomes the target of a ruthless criminal cabal, leading to a tense and touching clash with an obsessive assassin named Seventeen. With lush digital animation, moments of humor, and a strong emotional core, the film offers a moving experience that could resonate with Oscar voters. If “Ne Zha 2” being a sequel doesn’t appeal to voters, perhaps this could push another Chinese contender to the Oscars.
“I Am Frankelda”
A milestone for Mexican animation, “I Am Frankelda” is the country’s first-ever stop-motion feature. Directed by brothers Rodolfo and Arturo Ambriz, the film expands their acclaimed HBO Max series, “Frankelda’s Book of Spooks,” into a visually stunning and emotionally resonant Gothic fantasy. It follows Francisca Imelda, a rebellious young writer whose eerie tales forge a connection between the real world and a realm of dreams and nightmares, where a lonely owl prince seeks to cross into her world. With its dark fairy-tale tone and handcrafted detail, Frankelda channels the influence of Guillermo del Toro, whose “Pinocchio” won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature just two years ago. That recent win, combined with the Academy’s long-standing appreciation for stop-motion, gives “I Am Frankelda” a real shot at recognition. Blending cultural specificity with universal themes of imagination, loss, and self-discovery, this hauntingly beautiful debut could be one of the year’s breakout animated contenders.
“Juliet & The King”
Iranian director Ashkan Rahgozar returns with “Juliet & the King,” a vibrant musical romantic comedy that brings Shakespearean drama to 19th-century Persia with humor, heart, and a sharply satirical edge. Following his mythic epic “The Last Fiction,” Rahgozar shifts gears with this East-meets-West fantasia, as a struggling actress and playwright find themselves whisked from Belle Époque Paris to the royal courts of Tehran, where the Shah himself insists on playing Romeo. What follows is a whirlwind of theatrical chaos, court intrigue, and cultural clash, all rendered in lush, classical animation. The Academy has recently shown increased interest in non-Western animated storytelling, and this charming, culturally rich production could resonate with voters seeking something fresh, funny, and globally minded.
“Maya, Give Me A Title”
Out of all the films on this list, “Maya, Give Me a Title” is probably the least likely to be nominated by the Academy, but it’s still worth mentioning for its creativity. Directed by Michel Gondry, the visionary behind “The Science of Sleep” and“Be Kind Rewind,” this charming stop-motion feature is a heartfelt, playful tribute to imagination, family, and creativity. Born from nightly storytelling calls between Gondry and his daughter, the film blends hand-crafted paper animation with a whimsical spirit, all narrated by Pierre Niney (“The Count of Monte Cristo“). A joyous celebration of childhood wonder and inventive filmmaking, “Maya, Give Me a Title” offers a delightful and tender experience that’s as inventive as it’stouching.
“Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage”
Kenji Nakamura returns with the second chapter of his visually mesmerizing “Mononoke” saga, and in a year open to bold artistic visions, “The Ashes of Rage” could carve out a path to Oscar recognition. Picking up after the supernatural upheaval at the Imperial Ooku, the Medicine Seller reenters a palace still roiling with secrets, where women remain pawns in a system steeped in ritual and repression. When a lady-in-waiting combusts from within, another haunting mystery unfolds, once again demanding Form, Truth, and Reason. Building on the momentum of celebrated animated sequels like “Ne Zha 2,” this installment deepens the franchise’s thematic bite while doubling down on its breathtaking, Edo-era-inspired animation. Drenched in symbolism and rich with social critique, “The Ashes of Rage” is more than a psychedelic ghost story; it’s an audacious and artful challenger that could catch the Academy’s eye, especially among voters seeking animation that defies convention.
“Tamala 2030: A Punk Cat In Dark”
Nearly two decades after the cult hit “Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space,” the enigmatic duo t.o.L. return with a mind-bending follow-up that plunges even deeper into surrealism, social satire, and kaleidoscopic pop art. Set in a near-future Cat Tokyo, Tamala, the effortlessly charming girl-cat, joins a bizarre missing-person investigation that unravels cosmic conspiracies and occult secrets, blurring lines between innocent mascot and mythic force. With its dazzling blend of cuteness and chaos, Tamala 2030 channels influences from Philip K. Dick to David Lynch, presenting a radical vision far from mainstream animation fare. Following its 2002 predecessor’s Fantasia-winning legacy, this sequel amplifies the mysterious world-building and cryptic storytelling that fans adore, offering Academy voters a unique and provocative alternative that challenges the boundaries of animated storytelling.
“Thelma’s Perfect Birthday”
The second Latvian film on this list, “Thelma’s Perfect Birthday,” follows a young penguin’s quest for a forbidden birthday celebration, unfolding into a whimsical adventure full of heart and surprises. Director Reinis Kalnaellis blends expressive 3D animation with delicate, hand-painted ink-wash visuals, crafting a painterly style that stands out in a CG-heavy field. Echoing past Oscar contenders like “Ernest & Celestine” and “The Red Turtle,” “Thelma’s Perfect Birthday” combines visual poetry with universal themes, making it a sleeper contender for awards season. This imaginative tale offers a unique and heartfelt story that could charm both families and cinephiles alike.
What do you think of the animated films screening at this year’s Fantasia Film Festival? Do any of them jump out at you as potential Best Animated Feature contenders? Which five films are you currently predicting for Best Animated Feature at the 98th Academy Awards? Please let us know in the comments section below or over on our X account and be sure to check out our latest Oscar predictions here. Thank you!
