The 2024 box‑office hit The Wild Robot marked DreamWorks’ final fully in‑house animated feature from its Glendale studio, raking more than $300 million worldwide and earning three Oscar nominations—Best Animated Feature, Best Original Score, and Best Sound. Its sequel, The Wild Robot Escapes, was announced earlier this year, but the studio’s sights are now set on a new contender: Forgotten Island. As the Academy Awards approach, industry insiders wonder whether this film will be remembered—or forgotten—on the Oscar night stage.
A New Era for Animated Oscars
When Spider‑Man: Into the Spider‑Verse captured Best Animated Feature, it signaled a shift away from the Disney/Pixar monopoly toward fresh voices and experimental aesthetics. Since that breakthrough, Sony Pictures Animation’s signature blend of vivid 3‑D and hand‑drawn 2‑D techniques—first showcased in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish—has become a benchmark for modern animated storytelling. Forgotten Island adopts a similar visual language, benefitting from Sony Pictures Imageworks’ contributions on several key sequences.
Reviewer M.N. Miller (InSession Film) describes the movie’s look as “a bold ’90s graphic‑design and street‑art aesthetic, peppered with anime and manga homages, traditional hand‑drawn animation, and stylized CG that perfectly convey each character’s emotions and memories.” This hybrid style has proven award‑friendly: after Into the Spider‑Verse, Sony Pictures Animation secured four nominations and two wins, most recently with K‑Pop Demon Hunters.
Cultural Depth: Filipino Roots in Forgotten Island
Beyond its eye‑catching visuals, Forgotten Island stands out for its heartfelt integration of Filipino culture. Miller notes that the film weaves Philippine mythology—featuring the Manananggal—alongside tight family dynamics and region‑specific imagery. The Academy has increasingly rewarded works with global resonance, from Encanto and The Boy and the Heron to Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. By spotlighting Filipino folklore, Forgotten Island taps into this trend, positioning itself as both a visual innovator and a cultural ambassador. Its strong critical reception (95 % on Rotten Tomatoes) further bolsters its nomination prospects.
The Competition: A Packed Field of Contenders
| Film | Studio | Notable Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Toy Story 5 | Pixar | Proven franchise success; previous wins for the series |
| Wildwood | Laika | Stop‑motion craftsmanship; last nomination in 2019 |
| Hoppers | Pixar | Critical acclaim despite modest box office |
| Ray Gunn | Netflix (Brad Bird) | Veteran director with two prior wins |
| Forgotten Island | DreamWorks | Innovative animation + Filipino mythos |
| Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom | Aardman | Past nomination for predecessor |
| Iron Boy | Sony Pictures Classics | Indie buzz |
| Tangles | IFC | Festival darling |
| Minions & Monsters | Illumination | Franchise love‑letter |
| Coyote vs. Acme | Warner Bros. | Hybrid live‑action/animation debate |
Toy Story 5 – The Franchise Favorite
The Toy Story saga has a storied Oscar history: the third film won Best Animated Feature and earned a Best Picture nod; the fourth reclaimed the statue. While history suggests Toy Story 5 could repeat the pattern, recent years have seen Disney/Pixar’s dominance wane, leaving the field more open than ever.
Wildwood – Laika’s Stop‑Motion Hope
Laika has amassed six nominations without a win, the last being Missing Link (2019). Stop‑motion has rarely triumphed—only Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were‑Rabbit (2005) and del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022) have taken the prize. Yet the growing respect for the medium, combined with Laika’s meticulous marketing of its craft, could finally tip the scales in Wildwood’s favor.
Ray Gunn – Netflix’s Wildcard
Brad Bird’s résumé includes two Best Animated Feature Oscars (The Incredibles, Ratatouille) and multiple nominations. Netflix’s recent success with K‑Pop Demon Hunters adds weight, though the first trailer for Ray Gunn received mixed reactions. Still, Bird’s track record makes this entry a serious contender.
Other Dark Horses
Hoppers enjoys strong critical praise, while Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom could ride the momentum of its predecessor’s nomination. Indie titles like Tangles and Iron Boy might surprise, and Coyote vs. Acme faces eligibility questions due to its hybrid format, but the Academy has previously recognized hybrid works such as Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.
Why Forgotten Island Could Tip the Balance
- Visual Innovation – The blend of 3‑D, 2‑D, and street‑art influences aligns with recent Oscar‑winning aesthetics.
- Cultural Representation – Its authentic portrayal of Filipino myth and family ties adds the international appeal the Academy favors.
- Critical Acclaim – A 95 % Rotten Tomatoes rating signals broad approval from critics and audiences alike.
- Strategic Partnerships – Collaboration with Sony Pictures Imageworks lends the film a proven award‑winning visual pedigree.
Prediction: The Likely Nominees
- Wildwood
- Toy Story 5
- Forgotten Island
- Hoppers
- Ray Gunn
These five capture a mix of studio power, artistic daring, and cultural relevance, setting the stage for a tightly contested race.
Final Outcome
The Oscar battle for Best Animated Feature this year promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. While Toy Story 5 carries franchise momentum and Ray Gunn benefits from veteran direction, Forgotten Island stands out for its daring visual style and heartfelt celebration of Filipino folklore. Whether the Academy crowns a familiar favorite or embraces a fresh voice, the final outcome will reflect the evolving landscape of animated storytelling.
