Each year the Oscars honor excellence in animated filmmaking, and the winner of the Animated Feature category often becomes a modern animated classic. In 2020, five exceptional films from the past year competed for that top prize, representing a diverse range of styles and studios.
Longtime awards favorite Pixar appears again, bringing its experience and pedigree to the race. Notably, Disney Animation’s big seasonal hit was absent from the lineup, an omission that drew attention among critics and fans alike.
Netflix also made a strong showing with two entries. Klaus emerged early as a contender, praised for its distinctive visual approach and heartwarming storytelling. Netflix’s other nominee, I Lost My Body, won acclaim on the festival circuit and offered a more experimental, emotionally resonant alternative. Competing against them were stop-motion innovator Laika, DreamWorks’ large-scale franchise entry, and Pixar’s much-anticipated sequel—so the field was unusually competitive and varied.
Below is a closer look at each nominee in the 2020 Animated Feature race, examining what makes each film stand out and why they were nominated.
How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Director: Dean DeBlois
The Hidden World is the final chapter of the How To Train Your Dragon trilogy and closes out an emotionally layered coming-of-age saga. When Hiccup discovers that Toothless is not the only dragon of his kind, he must race to find the mythical Hidden World—a safe haven for dragons—before it falls into hostile hands.
DreamWorks delivers a visually striking and moving conclusion to the beloved series. Over the course of three films the audience has watched the characters mature, and this installment provides a satisfying, bittersweet farewell for Hiccup and Toothless. The trilogy’s emotional growth, combined with detailed world-building and strong character work, showcases DreamWorks’ storytelling and animation strengths.
In a different year The Hidden World might have been the clear frontrunner, but 2020’s nominees presented stiff competition across styles and tones.
Recommended for you: Hair Love – Oscar Nominated Animated Short Review
I Lost My Body
Director: Jeremy Clapin
I Lost My Body is a French animated fantasy-drama that premiered at Cannes in 2019, where it won the Nespresso Grand Prize. The film takes a daring, unconventional approach: it tells a love story and a tale of loss from the surprising perspective of a severed hand making its way across Paris to reunite with its owner.
Its traditional animation style supports an intimate, poetic atmosphere. The film explores grief, memory, and the small acts that allow us to reclaim what we have lost, proving that animated films can tackle mature, philosophical themes without losing emotional clarity. For viewers who expect animation to be light entertainment, I Lost My Body is a striking reminder that the medium can be profoundly adult and inventive.
Klaus
Directors: Sergio Pablos & Carlos Martinez Lopez
Klaus was one of Netflix’s standout holiday releases and marked Sergio Pablos’ directorial debut. The film boasts a strong voice cast, including Jason Schwartzman, Rashida Jones, and J.K. Simmons in the title role, and reimagines the origin of Santa Claus through a warm, witty lens.
The story follows a young, isolated postman who is stationed on a remote northern island and discovers a solitary toymaker named Klaus. Their unlikely friendship ignites a series of events that transform a fractured community. Klaus is notable for its emotional warmth, sharp humor, and a visual style that sets it apart from typical CG animation—an aesthetic achievement that earned it the BAFTA for Best Animated Film.
As Netflix’s first animated feature nominated for the Academy Award, Klaus drew praise for blending classic storytelling with an inventive animation approach that resonated with both critics and audiences.
Missing Link
Director: Chris Butler
Missing Link is a charming stop-motion adventure from Laika, the studio behind Kubo and the Two Strings. The film centers on Mr. Link, a Sasquatch-like creature who teams up with an English explorer to search for the creature’s distant cousins in the Himalayas.
With a heartfelt mix of humor and warmth, Missing Link celebrates friendship and discovery while showcasing Laika’s meticulous craftsmanship in stop-motion animation. The voice cast includes Hugh Jackman, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Thompson, and others, supporting a story that revels in traditional animation techniques at a time when CG dominates the mainstream. The film took home the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature, marking a milestone for non-CG animated films in major awards recognition.
Recommended for you: Laika Animated Movies Ranked
Toy Story 4
Director: Josh Cooley
Toy Story 4 continued Pixar’s most beloved franchise, bringing back familiar voices such as Tom Hanks and Tim Allen while introducing new characters and fresh dilemmas. The film follows Woody and the gang on a road trip with Bonnie, whose handmade toy Forky becomes the catalyst for a new adventure. When Forky goes missing, Woody sets out to find him and confronts questions about his role and purpose now that Andy’s chapter has closed.
Pixar’s trademark visual polish is on full display, and the film offers heartfelt moments and comedic set pieces. While some critics and fans felt this installment didn’t fully reach the emotional summit of its predecessor, Toy Story 4 still delivered thoughtful character work and satisfying resolutions that resonated with longtime viewers.
Recommended for you: Kitbull – Oscar Nominated Animated Short Review
The 2020 Animated Feature field was remarkable for its stylistic variety: franchise spectacle, intimate indie storytelling, inventive holiday fable, meticulous stop-motion craft, and a beloved sequel from an awards powerhouse. Each film brought something distinct to the table, making the race especially exciting and open. Which of these nominees do you think deserved the Oscar? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.