Golden Globe Musings: Best Animated Film

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced in just a few weeks, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anything important. A reminder that the Globes are wildly unpredictable and that it is still a bit early to gauge the reception or awards potential of a number of the so-called “contenders” at this point.

Last year’s nominees:
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Princess and the Frog
Up

This five-year-old category expanded from three nominees to five last year, and given the fact that the Oscar race is trimming back to three this year, this category might do the same. One film is a lock no matter what, and that’s Toy Story 3. I’ve heard that How to Train Your Dragon is also a sure thing, and then after that things get more crowded with traditional fare like Tangled, Despicable Me, and Megamind. I wouldn’t count on Shrek Forever After, but watch out for French film The Illusionist.

Predicted nominees:
How to Train Your Dragon
Tangled
Toy Story 3
The Illusionist (if 5 nominees)
Despicable Me (if 5 nominees)