Rank it: 2025 Oscar nominated best Animated Films

When looking at Oscar nominations each year, a category that can be frequently overlooked is the category for best-animated film.

This should not be the case as these five films are some of the best and most creative of the year and deserve as much attention as possible.

Here is a ranking of the five films nominated for best animated film at this year's Oscars:

5. “Inside Out 2”

“Inside Out 2” is a film that does everything it tries to do, it does incredibly well, but it simply does not stand out as much compared to the other films nominated.

For example, while the animation is undeniably great, it is in the classic Pixar style nd does not do anything unique that we have not already seen with the studio.

“Inside Out 2” is a great expansion if the original but other films on this list do a better job of standing on their own.

4. “Flow”

“Flow” is the most unique film on this list because it contains no dialogue. It follows a group of animals and stays true to the fact that they are animals by having not a single word spoken.

Even despite this, the thoughts of each of the animals are clear with expressive animation that portrays their animalistic qualities while also giving them hints of humanity.

This film perhaps has the best animation out of all of them, with a jaw-dropping color palette, there are simply others with more enriching narratives that put them above this one.

3. “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”

A film of pure fun from beginning to end. Each minute is jam packed with charm and energy, making it a blast to watch.

As someone who was introduced to the “Wallace & Gromit” series with this film, it was a wonderful introduction to the series.

The stop motion animation is incredible throughout, it is truly impressive how expressive the characters are and how great the action is, considering the genre.

There is no deep meaning to this one, but not every film needs to have one. The film is looking to be pure fun and it achieves that goal flawlessly.

2. “Memoir of a Snail”

While this film is the most tragic out of all of them, it also ended up being the funniest. As a film labeled as a dark comedy, it excelled in being both incredibly dark but also quite comedic.

It is a stop motion film like the one above, but this one is a lot less cartoony and a lot more gritty, which fits perfectly with the tone of the film.

The film hits you with heartbreak after heartbreak, but never in a way that is off-putting to the viewer as the main character constantly has the hope that things will get better.

It is a wonderful story of continuing to push through each day as you never know what the next day will bring.

1. “The Wild Robot”

“The Wild Robot” is not only the best animated film of the year, but it might also be one of the greatest animated films of all time.

From its gorgeous animation to its engaging characters, to its enriching themes of motherhood and identity, everything this film does it does to perfection.

It is a film almost guaranteed to make you cry, but not because anything particularly depressing happens, but because of the sheer beauty of the film itself.

It is a masterpiece of filmmaking and one that everyone, whether you like animated films or not, should give a watch.

Nikolai Wagner is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To email him, contact njw5648@psu.edu.