No surprises: Why is the Oscar guaranteed to “Encanto”?

“Encanto”, Disney’s animated film based on Colombian culture, was one of the few reasons to return to theaters in 2021. With a gross of 216 million dollars, “Encanto” was a success in the last half of the year. The film has already won a Golden Globe in the category of best-animated film and has many excited about the possibility of winning an Oscar. Well, here we come to tell you a little secret: the Oscar is practically guaranteed for “Encanto”. For what reason? Next, we tell you.

The Disney-Pixar monopoly on animation

The category of best-animated film, in which “Encanto” will undoubtedly compete, is one of the youngest at the Oscars. It has only existed since the year 2000. However, within this category there is a monopoly that perhaps you were not aware of: since the award exists, Disney or Pixar have won it practically every year. Only 6 times have they been defeated. In 2001 (for “Shrek”), in 2002 (for “Spirited Away”), in 2005 (for “Wallace and Gromit: Battle of the Vegetables”), in 2006 (for “Happy Feet”), in 2011 (for “Rango”) and 2018 (for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”).

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This may sound like a lot, but keep in mind, Disney has won this category 12 times in the last 14 years. In addition, the competition in some of these years was poor. “Spirited Away” was only up against “Lilo and Stitch,” “Wallace and Gromit” wasn’t up against any Disney Pixar nominees, and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” was up against “Incredibles 2.”

This year, the competition is much weaker. Of the Disney films, “Charm” could compete against “Luca” (which for a long time was only available on Disney +) and “Raya and the last dragon” a film that did not have much impact. Another possible competitor is “The Mitchell’s vs. the machines”, but this last film only came out on Netflix, a fact that considerably impacts its chances of winning the Oscar.

Best Animated Feature Not Taken Seriously

Many see Disney’s mountain of Oscars as proof of its quality, but the story for Hollywood insiders is a bit different. The best-animated film category is, sadly, one that the academy doesn’t take seriously.

Many see Disney’s mountain of Oscars as proof of its quality, but the story for Hollywood insiders is a bit different. The best-animated film category is, sadly, one that the academy doesn’t take seriously.

Sometimes voters don’t even bother to watch all the movies nominated for the category. For example, in a 2014 special for the Hollywood Reporter, the outlet interviewed 7 anonymous voters about their choices for best-animated film and this is what three of them had to say:

• “I haven’t seen any of them. I have no interest at all. That ended when I was 6 years old. My son dragged me to a few when he was 6; I sat him in the theater while I was out making calls.”
• “I thought Frozen was amazing and my personal favorite was Despicable Me 2, but I didn’t see all the nominees so I didn’t vote.”
• “I didn’t see all the nominees.”

So, considering voters’ track record of low interest in animated films, as well as the fact that “Encanto” has been the most popular among animated films this year, we can safely bet that it will be the winner of the Oscar this year.