The Academy Awards is chock full of categories whose nominees and winners may not often reflect the actual best of the year. A relatively new category that has delivered in that respect, usually reflecting some of the very best of the year, is the Best Animated Feature category.
It only awarded its first winner in 2002, and since then has consistently awarded some of the most excellent movies of the year the Oscar. A good gauge of how great these movies were, is by looking at how they were received critically, which is visible via Rotten Tomatoes. Here are the ten best winners of the Best Animated Feature Oscar, ranked according to Rotten Tomatoes.
SPIRITED AWAY (2001) - 97%
Directed by the revered Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away is a Japanese movie that follows young Chihiro as her parents are turned to pigs after they stumble into an abandoned amusement park. Chihiro then Haku who explains the supernatural elements of the park and that she must work to free her parents.
With 185 reviews, the movie has a Tomatometer rating of 97%. It beat out competition like Lilo & Stitch and Ice Age for its Oscar, which was earned with dazzling animation, and a fascinating, fantastic story.
THE INCREDIBLES (2004) - 97%
The Incredibles follows a family of superheroes forced to live mundane lives after a government ban on supers. But, Mr. Incredible longs for a super experience, and after being summoned to an island to scratch his super itch, his family must go back into the superhero life to help him.
From 244 reviews, its Tomatometer rating sits at 97%. It easily beat out its competition in Shark Tale and Shrek 2 and is one of the finest Pixar movies ever made. It is acclaimed for how great of a superhero movie it is, animated or not, with fantastic fun, and characters to match.
COCO (2017) - 97%
Coco was yet another smash hit and Oscar for Pixar. It follows Miguel, who, despite a familial ban, dreams of being a musician. This takes him to the Land of the Dead, where he and a new friend Héctor go on a journey to learn about Miguel's family history.
Its 97% rating came from 336 reviews and beat out Ferdinand and The Breadwinner for its Oscar. The usual dazzling Pixar visuals were matched by a narrative that was thought-provoking in a way that was enjoyable for both children and adults.
SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE (2018) - 97%
Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse tells the story of Miles Morales, who has become what he believes is the one and only Spider-Man. He then encounters Peter Parker, though, and there is a slew of others like him from other universes, all pulled into the one by the evil Kingpin.
It sits at 97% on the Tomatometer with 373 reviews and won the Oscar over the fierce competition in Isle Of Dogs and Incredibles 2. It is one of, maybe even the best Spider-Man movie ever made with unique and striking animation, a brilliant story, great humor, as well as heart and action.
TOY STORY 4 (2019) - 97%
Toy Story 4 is the latest installment to the Toy Story franchise and follows the toys', specifically, Woody's, struggle with life with Bonnie, and while trying to protect her new favorite toy, Woody is separated from them all, and meets an old friend.
The movie sits at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes with 427 reviews and is the latest film to win the award, beating out films like Klaus, and I Lost My Body. The necessity of this movie will always come under scrutiny. Nevertheless, it was a stunning effort that packed an emotional punch and earned its place amongst the great franchise, necessary or not.
ZOOTOPIA (2016) - 98%
Zootopia follows Judy Hopps - the first Rabbit to join the city's police force - as she is forced to team up with wily fox Nick Wilde to solve a mystery which is far more of a conspiracy than it seems.
The movie has a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes coming from 282 reviews and in 2017 beat out Moana and Kubo And The Two Strings for the Best Animated Feature Oscar. The movie offers a rich message to its audience, which goes well with the fun adventure, brilliant animation, and work of the cast whose characters keep kids more than entertained.
UP (2009) - 98%
Up is another heartfelt Pixar tale that tells the story of an elderly Carl Fredricksen as he ties a huge amount of balloons to his house and attempts to fulfill a lifelong dream of him and his late wife.
It sits at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, coming from 294 reviews, and while also being nominated for Best Picture, it beat out Fantastic Mr. Fox and Coraline for the Best Animated Feature award. Up offers the most emotional opening to any Pixar movie to date and, from that point on, crafts a beautiful story, with lovely characters, humor, and great animation throughout.
TOY STORY 3 (2010) - 98%
Toy Story 3 seemed to be the end of the series as it follows the toys as they end up in daycare when they were intended for the attic while Andy sets off for College. It sees our heroes stuck in the daycare and planning a grand escape.
The movie sits at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes from 305 reviews, after being at 100% for a long time. This movie was also nominated for Best Picture, and it beat out How To Train Your Dragon and The Illusionist for the animated award. Toy Story 3 has terrific adventure and the always fantastic characters as well as the ever-brilliant animation. On top of that, the film packed an emotional punch that leaves any fan watering up.
INSIDE OUT (2015) - 98%
Inside Out follows a young girl who is having to move home to an entirely new state, and how she deals with it by taking a deep dive into her main emotions, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust.
The movie has 362 reviews taking it to its 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, and in 2016 it beat out Anamolisa and Boy And The World for the animated Oscar. The movie has been heralded as an instant modern classic, another from Pixar, and is exceptionally moving, gorgeous, as well as being a creative new idea from the studio.
FINDING NEMO (2003) - 99%
Finding Nemo follows a father and son who are separated amid a strain in their relationship following the passing of the mother of the trio. This sets Marlin on an adventure where he and his new friend Dory will search for Nemo until he is back safe.
The movie sits at 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, with 265 reviews. It beat out Brother Bear and The Triplets Of Belleville to take home the Oscar, which was a no brainer. The movie has a great voice cast to bring to life the well-written characters who all reside in a beautifully animated ocean - and fish tank - where a genuinely brilliant and sweet story is told.