The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a record 27 film submissions for the Best Animated Picture Oscar and, as expected, it looks like a very competitive race even for a nomination.
This year “Zootopia,” “Finding Dory” and “Moana” are expected locks for a nomination not just because of quality, but because the strength of the Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar brands are so strong within the animation branch. Beyond those three, “Kubo And The Two Strings,” “The Little Prince,” “Long Walk North,” “The Red Turtle,” “Sing” and “The Secret Life Of Pets” are all duking it out for the final two slots. The adult-positioned “Sausage Party” is a unique wildcard that could be a surprise nominee.
READ MORE: The 50 Best Animated Films Of The 21st Century So Far
It’s worth noting that a number of this year’s submissions have not completed their Oscar-qualifying runs, but only 16 are needed for this category to include five nominees.
Here are this year’s qualifying films.
“The Angry Birds Movie”
“April and the Extraordinary World”
“Bilal”
“Finding Dory”
“Ice Age: Collision Course”
“Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV”
“Kubo and the Two Strings”
“Kung Fu Panda 3”
“The Little Prince”
“Long Way North”
“Miss Hokusai”
“Moana”
“Monkey King: Hero Is Back”
“Mune”
“Mustafa & the Magician”
“My Life as a Zucchini”
“Phantom Boy”
“The Red Turtle”
“Sausage Party”
“The Secret Life of Pets”
“Sing”
“Snowtime!”
“Storks”
“Trolls”
“25 April”
“Your Name”
“Zootopia”
Nominations for the 89th Oscars will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.
The 89th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017, and broadcast on ABC.