We’re looking at each individual category for the Oscars and what our thoughts are going into the final stretch. We’ll adjust our thoughts based on the precursor associated with this category, Annie Awards. Below are our predictions in Best Animated Feature.

Best Animated Feature

Winner Predictions

• Arco
• Elio
• KPop Demon Hunters (WL) [New] (PP) (TL)
• Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
• Zootopia 2

Runner-Up Predictions

• Arco (TL) [New]
• Zootopia 2 (WL) [New] (PP)

Wesley Lovell: With the general success of KPop Demon Hunters everywhere, including a clean sweep at the Annie Awards, there’s little doubt that it’s the frontrunner. BAFTA didn’t nominate it and selected Zootopia 2. The fly in the ointment is the rather disappointing win for that film’s predecessor. Zootopia managed to overcome the well regarded (and superior) Kubo and the Two Strings despite that film winning more precursors (though to be fair it was a tight race that year). Still, if it can overcome a critically acclaimed film that was only the second animated film nominated for Best Visual Effects then it could surprise with a victory over KPop. That said, KPop has won 74% of precursors (80% if you only count major groups), which is a far cry more than than near 16-15 lead Kubo had over Zootopia. Zootopia won both Annie and PGA and if KPop also picks up PGA, it’s probably a lock.
Pete Patrick: KPop Demon Hunters has won everything else.  It’s unlikely to falter at the Oscars.
Thomas La Tourrette: KPop Demon Hunters should win this easily. Not only has it been sweeping up the precursors at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice awards, it practically dominated at the Annie Awards which are the guild awards for animation. KPop took best feature, direction, editorial, and writing, so it is well loved within the guild. Last year, Flow won the best independent feature and went on to win the Oscar, but I see no way that this year’s winner Arco pulls off that same feat. KPop seems to have become a global phenomenon and it would be shocking if it does not win for Animated Feature.

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