97th Academy Awards Best Animated Features Ranked

As awards season comes to an end, there is much anticipation around who is going to win at the Oscars. Here, I will be reviewing the nominees for Best Animated Feature! I have been very excited to review these films as I am an animation major, however each year I love seeing the craft and all the work that is put into these stories. 2024 was a fantastic year for animation, and there was a ton of competition. Unfortunately, some films didn’t make the cut, but grew a huge audience online and via social media (ex. Transformers ONE, Ultraman Rising). Nevertheless, I spent the last 2 weeks reviewing and going over the nominees for the 2025 ceremony, as well ranked them based on my personal critique of them.

Inside Out 2

A coming of age story inside the mind of Riley, who has aged since we saw her in the first film, and is developing new emotions such as Anxiety and Envy. I was pleasantly surprised by this! I appreciate Pixar’s depiction of a very real problem with the minds of growing youth, as someone who struggles with anxiety myself.

My issues with this film lie in what it is trying to depict, as it has many unnecessary moments. While I do think the comedic timing of characters works, there are an excessive amount of scenes where it plays no relevance to the film itself, or could have been solved in a less time consuming way. However, the humor does balance this out, as they end up being charming moments. Overall, the film is a fun watch. It may not hit emotionally as the first film, but it is a good watch.

Flow

Flow is a beautifully crafted film about a cat and its experiences in a world flooded by water. The entire film is without dialogue, and is only viewed through the perspective of animals. You never really know what’s going on in the world of the film, yet, while some questions remain unanswered, you can help but get emotional whenever the animals are stuck in a dangerous situation, or feel for the characters when they use teamwork to help each other.

Another note; my first reaction to this film was “this was made in Blender?”, which is such a huge deal for those with limited access to resources like Autodesk and other paid programs. Having a film like this being recognized by the Academy as well as other organizations and festivals this awards season has truly been a huge inspiration to witness as an animation major. I highly recommend it.

Memoir of a Snail

Memoir of a Snail is a story about Grace, a young woman retelling stories and events of her life, leading up to the present day. The film doesn’t exactly follow one specific plot, but I think that’s the beauty of this film is that it is showcasing life in such a raw and shameless way. It’s grotesque yet beautiful.

This film hit on a very personal level, and I could relate it to my life even if our lives are not the same. Subjects regarding family, anxiety, and societal pressure always get me in a way that feels so real, including through the metaphor of a snail. I really loved that despite the hardships Grace goes through, she overcomes them and embraces who she is eventually, and it’s just so wonderful to watch, even if the events leading up to it are tragic. This film is my personal favorite on this list, and I absolutely recommend it.

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

British icons Wallace and Gromit are in another adventure and this time, they are up against their worst enemy: Feathers McGraw. After hacking into Wallace’s new invention, Feathers McGraw uses his skills to frame Wallace and Gromit for his crimes. The film is a lighthearted, action packed adventure that’s enjoyable to everyone.

The film sprinkles a little bit of conversation about the ongoing trend of technology and AI. It’s kind of ironic since this was released in a year where AI has been so prominent and the discussion of robots has been widely talked about. I think it is a great film that critiques technology in a way that is fun, but also brings up important subjects that are vital to today’s culture.

The Wild Robot

The final film on this list takes place in a futuristic world, where a robot, Roz, adapts to its environment and adopts a gosling. You watch as Roz and the gosling learn together, and how a community comes together despite their differences.

As a robot enjoyer myself, and someone who has been anticipating this film for years, I was not disappointed. The visuals, story, and character development throughout the film hit every single beat, and leaves you wanting more from Roz and Brightbill’s relationship by the end. It is a tale about connection, and how love transcends what you’re made of and who you are. A brilliant, and beautiful film overall.

Nominees Ranked

I highly recommend all the films that were nominated this year. They’re all visually stunning, have strong stories, and are able to connect to the audience. While I prefer some over others, I do believe that it’s worth checking all of these out, and I encourage you all to watch the ceremony this Sunday!

The HoneyDripper is the Savannah College of Art and Design’s juried comics and illustration blog, dedicated to publishing, promoting, and showcasing the finest in student work.​