Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars from Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis. Following Academy Awards history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Oscar predictions are updated regularly with the current year's contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. Eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and will be displayed next to revision date.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit THE COLLECTIVE.
2021 OSCARS PREDICTIONS:
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
UPDATED: Sept. 24, 2020 (PRE-SEASON)
The race for animated feature has typically been tied to a huge box office but in this age of the pandemic, many have opted for VOD and/or streaming for their launches. Pixar will look to be on top again one year after “Toy Story 4” but Netflix, Apple TV and others are looking to spoil the party. Per the Academy rules, there also may not be enough eligibilities to warrant five nominees in the category.
† = no release date scheduled / could be delayed / may not be eligible
†† = could be campaigned in lead or supporting categories / original or adapted screenplay categories
Photo courtesy of Apple TV+
AND THE PREDICTED NOMINEES ARE:
"Soul"(Pixar)Pete Docter, Dana Murray
"Over the Moon"(Netflix)Glen Keane, Peilin Chou, Gennie Rim
"Onward"(Pixar)Dan Scanlon, Kori Rae
"Wolfwalkers"(Apple TV Plus/GKIDS)Stéphan Roelants, Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart, Paul Young, Nora Twomey
"The Croods: A New Age"(Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Animation)Mark Swift, Joel Crawford
Photo courtesy of Netflix
NEXT IN LINE CONTENDERS:
"Connected"(Sony Pictures Animation)Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Mike Rianda
"Lupin III: The First"(GKIDS)†Takashi Yamazaki, Takeshi Ito, Naoaki Kitajima, Koji Nozaki
"Trolls: World Tour"(Universal Pictures)Walt Dohm, Gina Shay
"Rumble"(Paramount Pictures)Hamish Grieve, Mark Bakshi, Brad Booker
"The Willoughbys"(Netflix)Kris Pearn, Brenda Gilbert, Luke Carroll
Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures
TOP-TIER AWARDS CONTENDERS:
"Wish Dragon"(Sony Pictures)Chris Appelhans, Chris Bremble, Aron Warner, Jackie Chan, Qi Jianhong
"On-Gaku: Our Sound"(GKIDS)†Kenji Iwaisawa
"Ride Your Wave"(GKIDS)†Masaaki Yuasa
"Brightheart"(TriCoast Worldwide)†Weifeng Deng, Astrid Wang, Yunfei Wang, Brett Zharig
"Scoob!"(Warner Bros.)Tony Cervone, Pam Coats, Allison Abbate
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
UNRANKED AWARDS CONTENDERS:
"Tom and Jerry"(Warner Bros.) – Tim Story, Christopher DeFaria†
† = no release date scheduled / could be delayed / may not be eligible
†† = could be campaigned in lead or supporting categories / original or adapted screenplay categories
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars is Hollywood’s most prestigious artistic award in the film industry. Since 1927, nominees and winners are selected by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). 17 branches are represented within the near 10,000 person membership. The branches are actors, associates, casting directors, cinematographers, costume designers, directors, documentary, executives, film editors, makeup and hairstylists, marketing and public relations, members-at-large, members-at-large (artists’ representatives), music, producers, production design, short films and feature animation, sound, visual effects and writers.