'KPop Demon Hunters' & 'Zootopia 2' Top Animated Oscar Contenders, But Can We Expect Another 'Flow'-Like Surprise?

Last year, the animated film Flow unexpectedly won the Best Animated Feature Oscar. It triumphed over major box office hits like Pixars Inside Out 2 and DreamWorks The Wild Robot. The dialogue-free story, following a cat surviving in a post-apocalyptic world, reinforced that animation can appeal to more than just children. Additionally, the Latvian production highlighted that voters appreciate originality and innovation, not solely commercial success.

This years contenders present an intriguing mix, including fresh titles like Netflixs KPop Demon Hunters and anticipated sequels such as Disneys Zootopia 2.

KPop Demon Hunters

KPop Demon Hunters, directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, centers on the K-pop girl group Huntr/x, who secretly fight demons. Their main adversaries are the Saja Boys, a rival boy band hiding a sinister secret. The film blends elements of Korean mythology with contemporary K-pop, captivating audiences with striking visuals and infectious music. Huntr/xs song Golden topped Spotify charts and earned four Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year. After its June release, the film quickly became Netflixs most-streamed original animated feature, cementing its popularity in the awards conversation.

In Your Dreams

Netflix also offers In Your Dreams, a comedic adventure following 12-year-old Stevie and her 8-year-old brother Elliot as they explore a fantastical dream world. Battling eccentric obstacles, including a sarcastic stuffed giraffe and zombie breakfast foods, they seek the Sandman, who can grant their ultimate wisha perfect family. The film, praised for its imaginative storytelling, further strengthens Netflixs presence in the animated category.

French-Language Contenders

Two French-language films are also in contention: Arco and Little Amlie or the Character of Rain. Arco follows a boy from 2932 who accidentally travels back to 2075, where he teams up with a girl named Iris to return home. Produced by Natalie Portman, the hand-drawn animation evokes comparisons to Hayao Miyazakis work. Little Amlie, adapted from Amlie Nothombs novel, tells the story of a Belgian girl in Japan who awakens from a vegetative state, exploring profound themes such as mortality and identity through her perspective.

Japanese Contender: Scarlet

From Japan, director Mamoru Hosoda presents Scarlet, a reimagining of Hamlet where the protagonist is a sword-wielding princess. After a failed quest for vengeance, she encounters a man from the present who shows her an alternative life without anger. Utilizing detailed 3D animation, Hosoda continues the innovative style seen in his previous work Belle.

Disney and Pixar Entries

Disney is represented by Zootopia 2, the follow-up to the 2016 Oscar-winning film, and Pixar offers the sci-fi adventure Elio. In Elio, an 11-year-old boy is mistaken for Earths ambassador after contacting aliens, navigating a visually stunning intergalactic world. While its box office returns were modest, the films technical achievements and storytelling continue Pixars tradition of Oscar-worthy animation.

Zootopia 2 reunites Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde for a new case involving a conspiracy and a snake named Gary DeSnake. The film features a new soundtrack from Shakira and Ed Sheeran, enhancing anticipation. Although sequels rarely replicate previous winsonly Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4 have won multiple Oscarsthe excitement surrounding Zootopia 2 demonstrates that franchises remain strong contenders.

As the race progresses, voters may again favor innovative storytelling over established franchises, keeping the door open for unexpected winners in the spirit of last years Flow.

Author: Connor Blake