There are 27 films eligible for this category. Four of the same films were cited by the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Association, and Producers Guild of America. Two of them seem set for an Oscar nomination – Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. The other two, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Turning Red, could also easily get nominated but may be replaced by more independent or international fare. PGA chose another mainstream film, Minions: The Rise of Gru, while the Globes selected Inu-oh and CCA went with Wendell and Wild. It’s strange that a category that has awarded prizes to the last two Toy Story films (it didn’t exist when the first two were released) won’t recognize its terrific spinoff, Lightyear, and Strange World is also a high-profile entry that mysteriously hasn’t showed up in too many places. Apollo 10/12: A Space Age Childhood and Eternal Spring are two creative entries that could merit votes, while The Bad Guys, My Father’s Dragon and The Sea Beast are both easily accessible on Netflix. Mad God has been cited by a handful of critics’ groups, and Little Nicholas may also manage to score a spot.

Predictions: Apollo 10/12: A Space Age Childhood, Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, Little Nicholas, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish