Which Movie Won the First Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film?

Shrek was the first movie to win an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film in 2001. Shrek beat both Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and Monsters, Inc. in the Animated Feature Film category. 2001 was the first year an Oscar could be given to an animated film. To be considered an animated film, the movie must run more than 40 minutes and have no less than 75% of its characters animated during that run time. Since Shrek, DreamWorks has produced two sequels: Shrek 2, which was nominated for an Oscar in 2004, and Shrek the Third.

More about the Oscars:

  • Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture in 1991.
  • Animation production company Pixar has had nine films nominated for an Oscar, and has had seven winners including The Incredibles (2005) and Ratatouille (2008).
  • DreamWorks Animation holds the record for most nominated films for an Oscar at ten. Only two of their films have won an Oscar: Shrek and Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
More Info: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Discussion Comments

Chmander

While I've always been a big fan of the Oscars, I think it's even more interesting how the article brings up some very interesting facts about what counts as a "movie", and what doesn't.

I guess it really shows that no matter how short a movie is, it still counts if it surpasses the run time of forty minutes, despite what the general public thinks.

Sometimes though, it seems like film animators will use this to their advantage, and not in a good way.

One example is how Winnie the Pooh (2011) has a run time of 53 minutes, despite still being considered a movie. Good movie, but it was way too short.

Also, there's one more thing I want to bring up. Considering how it's mentioned that in order for a film to be considered "animated", no less than seventy five of the characters can be non-animated, then where does the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit fit? As it combines cartoons and live action.

Either way, these tidbits are very interesting, especially if one wants to get into the film industry.

Krunchyman

@RoyalSpyder - You do make a very interesting point about Brave winning over Wreck it Ralph. However, I think one thing that you need to remember is that for the most part, it's not always about the quality of a movie, but sometimes, it's about how much money it makes, and/or about how well known the studio that makes the movie is. Sometimes, it can even be about how well the movie connects with its male or female audience.

For example, even though Wreck it Ralph is a Disney movie, unfortunately, it's one of those films that was just quietly swept under the rug, without much recognition. The main problem is that the movie didn't really appeal to a large audience, probably because it didn't star a female lead.

However, because Brave has a female lead, this is a completely different story, and it actually makes perfect sense. After all, it's not everyday that you see a strong female lead in movies. More than often, they're always being kidnapped in films, or play the role of a damsel in distress.

Another example is how Shrek the Third made even more money than Ratatouille, despite one being much more of a high quality movie. Just remember that it's not always about which is the "better" movie, especially when people will always have different preferences.

RoyalSpyder

Over the past few years, I've been looking at some of the animated movies that have won an Oscar, and is it just me, or are there some animated films that basically seem like they're "robbed" of their prize? So to speak.

For example, in 2012, two of the biggest animated features that were presented, were Pixar's Brave, and Disney's Wreck It Ralph.

While it's true that Wreck it Ralph is a better made movie, Brave somehow won the Oscars instead, which make no sense. When it comes to movies, does anyone know what exactly determines whether a movie will win or not? I'd like to hear some interesting answers.

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