While Pixar has historically dominated the Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, this film studio isn't the only one bringing home Oscars. In fact, since the category's creation in 2001, eight pictures from other studios including DreamWorks Animation, Studio Ghibli, Aardman, Nickelodeon, Sony, and Walt Disney Animation Studios have brought home the award Best Animated Feature Award, and this could happen again soon.
While the 2020 Best Animated Feature nominees include Pixar's Toy Story 4, the lineup also features How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, I Lost My Body, Klaus, and Missing Link. In anticipation of these (and because we already looked at the award-winning Pixar films), we thought it was time to look at every non-Pixar film to have previously won the Best Animated Feature award. Let's get a glimpse at some of animation's greatest right now.
Shrek
DreamWorks' Shrek was the first-ever film to win the Best Animated Feature title in 2001, beating out Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and Monsters, Inc.
The fantasy-comedy tells of the titular ogre, who enjoys living his life away from other fairy tale characters. However, after they all get sent away from their home by Lord Farquaad, it is up to Shrek to kidnap Princess Fiona in exchange for their return. This might be the only way to get the peace he desires.
Shrek's pop culture humor, fast-paced story, and entertaining sequences had viewers wanting more, so DreamWorks made more. The studio released multiple sequels and spin-offs in the years after its release.
Spirited Away
Studio Ghibli's sole Best Animated Picture win came after Spirited Away was released to North American audiences in 2002.
The only hand-drawn film to ever win this title tells of a 10-year-old girl named Chihiro whose parents become pigs after they wander into an old amusement park. She soon learns from a figure name Hak that this location is actually a holding place for spirits who need rest and must work to restore them to their original form.
The beautiful visuals and thoughtful story has allowed this film's legacy to live on.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit
The British stop-motion clay animation series, Wallace and Gromit, received its first feature film in 2005.
In this adventure, scatterbrained inventor Wallace and his beagle, Gromit, are recruited to destroy a huge rabbit that is ravaging the crops in town. With Wallace crushing hard on the woman who asks for help, Lady Tottington, he decides to work even harder than ever to put an end to the shenanigans.
Thanks to the high spirits and charm of Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit, Aardman Animation (in combination with DreamWorks) walked away with its only Best Animated Feature Oscar.
Happy Feet
Though the 2011 sequel failed to attract the same audience, the original Happy Feet dazzled viewers with fun music and a cute narrative.
It followed a penguin named Mumble who is unable to attract a mate because he can't sing a "heartsong." However, he soon learns of his brilliant tapdancing abilities and finds that being different has its benefits.
The 2006 musical comedy won Best Animated Feature, beating out Pixar's Cars.
Rango
This computer-animated western featuring the voice talents of Johnny Depp managed to wrangle in the Best Animated Film award following its 2011 release.
Rango told the story of a pet chameleon who gets lost in the deserts of Nevada and must learn to stand out as the sheriff of Dirt Town, despite having a natural tendency to blend in.
The film's creative story, voice work, and humor helped this one become a winner.
Frozen
For the first time in forever, Disney Animation won a Best Animated Feature Oscar with the release of 2013's Frozen.
The original story told of Elsa, a princess with snow powers who runs away on her coronation day after accidentally unleashing an eternal winter on the kingdom of Arendelle. Though Elsa hopes to remain in solitude, her younger sister Anna tracks her down in an attempt to return the queen to her throne and mend their relationship with one another.
The beautiful visuals, show-stopping musical numbers, and creative twists had Frozen becoming both a commercial and box office hit. It additionally won Best Original Song for "Let It Go" and received a sequel in 2019.
Big Hero 6
Disney Animation kept up its game by bringing Big Hero 6 to the silver screen in 2014.
This superhero film, based loosely on Marvel Comics characters, tells of a young genius named Hiro who must turn to his older brother's invention, a care-providing robot named Baymax, after tragedy strikes. Though Baymax is designed to offer comfort, Hiro decides to also turn him into a superhero sidekick as he uncovers secrets behind a masked villain.
Perfectly blending humor, action, and emotion, Big Hero 6 easily scored Best Animated Feature at the Oscars.
Zootopia
Being that Frozen II wasn't nominated in this year's Best Animated Feature category, Zootopia is going to have to remain Disney Animation's most recent Best Animated Picture winner for a little longer.
Zootopia tells of a bunny who becomes the first police officer of her kind. Though she is excited to start her job, she must first prove herself because the other animals of the city struggle to accept her. This has her taking on a crazy case with help from a sly con-artist Fox.
The thoughtful message and relevant humor had this one beating out films including Kubo and the Two Strings and Moana for Best Animated Feature.
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
The most recent film to take home the Best Animated Feature award was this superhero hit created by Sony Pictures Animation.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse tells of a teenager from Brooklyn named Miles who develops special powers after he gets bitten by a radioactive spider. As if dealing with this weren't enough, he's also forced to find a way to get the other Spider-Men home after they are sent to his world from other dimensions.
The film's unique art style, emotional story, and charming characters earned this one critical acclaim and a sequel that is set to be released in 2022.