A total of 201 films are officially eligible for Best Picture at the 98th Oscars, while 317 movies across all the other categories can also be considered. And while animated films usually are off the table in the Best Picture category, seven animated and hybrid titles made the long list. Names like Zootopia 2, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, and The Bad Guys 2 might have a shot at winning the most important award of the night.
‘ZOOTOPIA 2’ is eligible to be nominated for Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars.
(via https://t.co/S5V2M6vQn6) pic.twitter.com/d82VSxL8dG
— Cosmic Marvel (@cosmic_marvel) January 9, 2026
Here’s the full list of animated/hybrid movies that could get nominated for Best Picture:
The Bad Guys 2.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle.
Dog Man.
Elio.
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie (live action/CG).
How to Train Your Dragon (live action/CG).
The Legend of Ochi (live action/CG).
Lilo & Stitch (live action/CG).
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain.
A Minecraft Movie (live action/CG).
Paddington in Peru (live action/CG).
Scarlet.
Zootopia 2.
The Bad Guys 2 is eligible to be nominated for Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars!
(via @Variety) pic.twitter.com/yQbXLNFiOl
— The Bad Guys News (@thebadguysnews) January 9, 2026
However, fans quickly noticed the big absences of KPop Demon Hunters and Arco, which are nowhere to be found near the Best Picture lineup. Many fans thought there was a chance KPop Demon Hunters could sneak into the considerations for the category. However, because it only got a limited theatrical release, it did not meet the expanded eligibility rules to fight for the top award. Despite this, both aforementioned films are still in the race for other categories, including Best Animated Feature.
Now the countdown begins. The 98th Academy Award nominations arrive on Thursday, January 22. Meanwhile, the event will take place at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15. Until then, animation fans have seven hopes in the running for the Best Picture category, including Zootopia 2, Bad Guys 2, Demon Slayer, and more.
