Golden Globe Predictions: Best Animated Film

I’ve been predicting the Golden Globe nominations for more than fifteen years, and even if the group doesn’t have the same industry relevance as in the past, it’s still helpful and fun to see what films and performances get honored. Here’s my assessment of the contenders in this category.

Last year’s nominees:
Encanto
Flee
Luca
My Sunny Maad
Raya and the Last Dragon

I feel like I’ve seen more animated fare than in the past at this point of awards season, but I’m still not sure which five films will populate this race. Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On feel like the best bets, and I think that both Pixar entries from this year, Turning Red and Lightyear, can make the cut. Both appear to have their detractors, and I particularly liked the latter, especially more than “Toy Story 4,” which was nominated in this race two years ago before winning the corresponding Oscar. For the fifth slot, I think Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the best bet, though Wendell and Wild, The Bad Guys, My Father’s Dragon, and Strange World could easily show up too. I’d be thrilled to see Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood made the cut too.

Current predictions:
Lightyear
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Pinocchio
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Turning Red