Every year the Oscars honor outstanding achievements in animated filmmaking, and the winner in this category often becomes a widely recognized classic. In 2019 five exceptional animated features competed for Best Animated Feature, representing a range of styles and storytelling approaches: the powerhouse studios Disney and Pixar, the singular vision of Wes Anderson, the elegant traditional animation of Japan’s Mamoru Hosoda, and the innovative collaboration between Sony and Marvel. Below is a clear, engaging guide to the five nominees and what makes each one stand out in the 2019 animation race.
Incredibles 2
Directed by: Brad Bird
Incredibles 2 marked Pixar’s long-awaited return to the Parr family, arriving fourteen years after the original. The sequel picks up where the first film left off, blending high-stakes superhero action with intimate family dynamics. In this chapter, superhero activity has been outlawed, and Elastigirl is recruited by a wealthy entrepreneur to help the public accept “supers” again. That leaves Mr. Incredible at home, navigating the challenges of being a stay-at-home dad while Violet faces teenage struggles, Dash continues to be energetic, and baby Jack-Jack discovers a startling array of powers. The film excels at balancing humor, heart, and spectacle — Jack-Jack in particular steals many scenes — and Pixar’s technical and aesthetic craftsmanship is, as expected, top-tier. Nostalgia plays a big role too, inviting audiences to reconnect with beloved characters while delivering fresh emotional stakes and visual polish.
Isle of Dogs
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs is the director’s second feature-length animated film and a striking example of his distinctive visual and narrative voice translated into stop-motion animation. Set in the fictional Japanese city of Megasaki, the story follows a young boy searching for his dog after the city’s mayor orders all dogs banished to a remote Trash Island during a purported dog flu outbreak. The boy recruits five island dogs, and together they embark on a stylized, often surreal adventure. Anderson’s signature symmetry, meticulous color palettes, dry humor, and richly drawn characters are all on display, while a star-studded voice cast brings the world to life. For viewers seeking an animated film that is deliberately quirky and visually singular, Isle of Dogs offers a unique alternative to mainstream CGI and hand-drawn fare.
Mirai
Directed by: Mamoru Hosoda
Mirai is a tender fantasy-adventure from Japanese director Mamoru Hosoda and his Studio Chizu. Embracing traditional Japanese animation aesthetics, the film centers on family and childhood imagination — themes often associated with esteemed Japanese studios. The story follows a young boy who discovers a magical garden that allows him to travel through time and meet relatives from different eras, guided by his sister from the future. Mirai combines gentle humor, thoughtful character work, and beautiful depictions of nature, creating a warm, accessible entry point for audiences new to contemporary Japanese animation while offering emotional resonance for longtime fans.
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Directed by: Phil Johnston & Rich Moore
The sequel to the underrated 2012 hit Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet sends Ralph and Vanellope into the vast, chaotic world of the online universe. The film’s premise — two arcade characters unfamiliar with the internet — creates plenty of comic opportunities and sharp satire about online culture. Disney’s creative team delivers a vividly imagined digital landscape filled with nostalgic Easter eggs, clever references, and a memorable sequence featuring the Disney princesses voiced by their original actors. While the movie is fun, inventive, and emotionally grounded in the friendship between its leads, some critics viewed it as delivering exactly the kind of polished entertainment expected from Disney rather than breaking entirely new ground.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Directed by: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey & Rodney Rothman
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse emerged as a breakout favorite among the nominees, praised for its bold visual language and heartfelt storytelling. The film follows teenager Miles Morales as he becomes Spider-Man and teams up with Spider-heroes from alternate dimensions to face a threat that endangers all their realities. Beyond its compelling characters and kinetic action, the movie introduced a fresh, comic-book-inspired animation style that blends 2D and 3D techniques, vibrant color, and innovative frame treatment to create a cinematic experience unlike most mainstream animation. The film’s soundtrack, inventive visuals, and strong emotional core combined to make it a standout and a cultural touchstone for contemporary superhero animation.
These five films represent the diversity and creative strength of animated storytelling in 2018 and 2019, showing how animation can range from family-focused superhero tales and internet satires to stop-motion curiosities and lyrical Japanese fantasy. Which of these nominees did you enjoy most, and which animated films do you think deserved recognition? Share your thoughts and favorite moments from the year’s animation offerings.