Tag: Animated Movies

Oscar Predictions: The Cat in the Hat

Based on the Dr. Seuss 1957 children’s book, Warner Bros is hoping family audiences turn out for The Cat in the Hat this weekend. The animated adaptation arrives 23 years after Mike Myers starred in the critically ballyhooed live-action take. This time around, Bill Hader voices the title character. Other cast members include Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, Xochitl Gomez, Giancarlo Esposito, and America Ferrera. Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja direct.

There are plenty of titles vying for attention in Best Animated Feature including Wildwood, Toy Story 5, Ray Gunn, Forgotten Island, Iron Boy, Tangles, Hoppers, and Coyote vs. Acme. Sporting a subpar 47 on Metacritic, any thought of including Cat among those contenders should give you serious pause. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

The Cat in the Hat Box Office Prediction

Arriving in theaters nearly 70 years after its source material hit bookshelves, The Cat in the Hat opens November 6th. The animated take on the Dr. Seuss classic has Bill Hader voicing the title character. Other behind the mic talent includes Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, Xochitl Gomez, Giancarlo Esposito, and America Ferrera. Erica Rivinoja and Alessandro Carloni direct.

The Warner Bros animation project comes at a time when the studio could use a solid performer after a year filled with duds. Eight years ago, Illumination Entertainment put out an animated version of The Grinch which made off with $67 million out of the gate. In 2003, a live-action version of Cat with Mike Myers did not meet expectations with poor reviews and middling box office. The $38 million debut was front-loaded with a $101 million eventual domestic take. This version may earn right around that figure with hopes that its word-of-mouth and eventual staying power is stronger. I’m going to put it quite a bit lower. That could mean decent subsequent weekends as the holidays approach though it’s unlikely to post anywhere near Grinch level numbers.

The Cat in the Hat opening weekend prediction: $22.5 million

For my Godzilla Minus Zero prediction, click here:

Godzilla Minus Zero Box Office Prediction

For my Ramayana: Part 1 prediction, click here:

Ramayana: Part 1 Box Office Prediction

For my Wild Horse Nine prediction, click here:

Wild Horse Nine Box Office Prediction

Wildwood Box Office Prediction

Stop-motion animated fantasy Wildwood is the latest effort for distributor Laika and their first this decade. Directed by Travis Knight, the voice cast includes Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant. Following its premiere at the London Film Festival, it hits domestic screens on October 23rd.

Critics are on it side and it could be a frontrunner for Best Animated Feature prize at the Oscars. Rotten Tomatoes is at 100% with 86 on Metacritic. Laika’s projects are typically acclaimed and all five previous features have been Academy nominated in its genre category. That hasn’t always translated to box office dollars stateside.

In 2016, Kubo and the Two Strings (also directed by Knight) debuted with $12.6 million and that’s under what predecessors Coraline, ParaNorman, and The Boxtrolls started off with. That trio all premiered between $14-17 million. The last Laika tale, 2019’s Missing Link, was a major commercial failure with $5.9 million out of the gate.

I’m expecting Wildwood to do better, but not much better.

Wildwood opening weekend prediction: $7.2 million

For my Clayface prediction, click here:

Clayface Box Office Prediction

For my Klara and the Sun prediction, click here:

Klara and the Sun Box Office Prediction

Oscar Predictions: Wildwood

Stop-motion indie animation studio Laika is 5 for 5 when it comes to nominations for Best Animated Feature and 0 for 5 in podium trips. Each time they have lost to Disney. In 2009, Laika’s inaugural project Coraline went down to Up. Three years later, ParaNorman fell short to Brave while 2014’s The Boxtrolls couldn’t beat out Big Hero 6. In 2016, Kubo and the Two Strings didn’t catch Zootopia. Missing Link in 2019 was an honorable mention to Toy Story 4.

That dynamic may finally change in 2026. Travis Knight, who directed Kubo, is back with the studio (months after the live-action Masters of the Universe debacle) via Wildwood. The dark fantasy, based on a 2011 novel, has premiered at the London Film Festival and arrives theatrically on October 23rd. Voiceover artists include Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant.

For the last several weeks on the blog, I’ve had Wildwood listed at #1 in Animated Feature based mostly on hunch. There’s also the matter of Disney’s Toy Story 5 and Hoppers not seeming like win contenders. Early WOM from London encourages my notion. Rotten Tomatoes is at 100% with several reviews calling it Laika’s strongest entry thus far. I would be surprised if it didn’t remain my frontrunner in the animated field moving forward.

Can Wildwood branch out elsewhere? The short answer is yes. A solid campaign could open up Adapted Screenplay or Visual Effects. The score is being complimented and the Decemberists have an original song titled “The Better Part of Bravery”. I also could see this being a lone Animated Feature player and the first that gets past the Mouse House. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Ray Gunn

Since Best Animated Feature became a category at the Oscars in 2001, Brad Bird is 3 for 3 in terms of nominations and 2 for 3 in terms of wins. His tenure with Disney/Pixar led to victories for 2004’s The Incredibles and 2007’s Ratatouille while 2018’s Incredibles 2 was in contention but fell short to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. His debut, 1999’s The Iron Giant, would have certainly been up had the competition existed.

Bird’s latest is Ray Gunn and it has premiered at the London Film Festival prior to its December 4th limited theatrical release and December 18th Netflix bow. Said to be the filmmaker’s dream project, the sci-fi noir mystery features the voices of Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Waits, Matt Berry, Bobby Cannavale, Michelle Rodriguez, Matt Jones, Aasif Mandvi, Alan Tudyk, and Kathryn Hunter.

Word-of-mouth across the pond gives Gunn a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score. A closer look at the write-ups reveal plenty of recommendations with reservations. Bird’s first effort in nearly a decade should have enough goodwill to get in the Animated Feature quintet, but I’m skeptical that a win narrative exists. There’s another London premiere that does have that narrative and its Oscar Prediction post is imminent.

Netflix will campaign the song “Too Muck to Ask” (performed by Johansson in the pic) in Original Song and Michael Giacchino is behind the score. Both are worth considering if they manage to make their respective shortlists though I’ve yet to seriously consider either for inclusion. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Forgotten Island

In a year with animated pics that appear to be Oscar players in that category already (Toy Story 5, Hoppers, Iron Boy, Tangles, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, Minions & Monsters) and upcoming contenders that have yet to screen (Ray Gunn, Wildwood), it sounds like Forgotten Island can be included among the hopefuls. The DreamWorks Animation release is an original story set in the Philippines during the 1990s. Out Friday, the comedic fantasy adventure is directed by Joel Crawford (a DreamWorks vet with The Croods: A New Age and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish to his credit) and Januel Mercado. Voiceover work comes from H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Lea Salonga.

With 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and and a 79 Metacritic, the reviews are impressive enough that Academy voters may remember it in their Animated Feature quintet. That said, the aforementioned competition is strong. I don’t think this is a threat to win and it’s not a given that it makes the cut. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions – Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom hopes to become the third feature in a row in the franchise to nab an Animated Feature mention at the Oscars. Based on the TV series spun off from Wallace & Gromit, Steve Cox and Matthew Walker take over directorial duties for the stop-motion hijinks. The voiceover cast includes Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Kate Harbour, Dani Dyer, and Nina Sosanya. GKIDS is handling domestic distribution with a limited release this weekend.

Previous Sheep sagas have lost to Pixar pics. 2015’s Shaun the Sheep Movie fell short to Inside Out while 2020’s Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon couldn’t catch Soul. Reviews for third tale are favorable with 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic.

I have yet to put Bottom in my top five in the animated race. I’m questioning whether I’m underestimating it. I kind of figured voters may glaze over it. However, if titles like Ray Gunn and Wildwood don’t meet their potential this fall, this could definitely nab a spot in the quintet and it might anyway. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Forgotten Island Box Office Prediction

Forgotten Island from DreamWorks Animation is the fairly rare wholly original feature from a genre often reliant on sequels and other known IP. Joel Crawford (who last helmed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish) and Januel Mercado direct with a voice cast including H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Lea Salonga.

The fantastical comedy hopes to bring in kids (particular young girls) and their parents in a market devoid of much family programming. However, general lack of awareness and minimal buzz for the 1990s Philippines set tale could limit its potential.

Animated flicks can always exceed expectations and the ceiling could be an opening in the $25 million neighborhood. I’m more skeptical and projecting high teens.

Forgotten Island opening weekend prediction: $17.2 million

For my Avengers Endgame: Encore prediction, click here:

Avengers: Endgame Encore Box Office Prediction

For my Heart of the Beast prediction, click here:

Heart of the Beast Box Office Prediction

For my Primetime prediction, click here:

Primetime Box Office Prediction

Oscar Predictions: Tangles

Based on Sarah Leavitt’s graphic novel about her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s, the animated drama Tangles premiered at Cannes and has now played Toronto to fresh reviews. Said to be a major tearjerker, Leah Nelson directs with a voice cast including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Abbi Jacobson, Bryan Cranston, Samira Wiley, Beanie Feldstein, Seth Rogen, Pamela Adlon, Sarah Silverman, Bowen Yang, and Wanda Sykes. Among the film’s producers are its cast mates Louis-Dreyfus and Rogen.

IFC has acquired distribution rights with a planned Oscar qualifying release by year’s end. It might pan out. The Rotten Tomatoes score is 100%. If this gets enough exposure with the animation branch, I could see it nabbing one of the five slots and I’ve had it doing so in my projections for some time. Competition in the coming weeks will be key to see whether it stays there. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Coyote vs. Acme Box Office Prediction

Despite drawing winning critical reactions, Coyote vs. Acme may face an uphill battle at the box office when it debuts August 28th. The comedic live-action/animation hybrid was famously shelved by Warner Bros. (think Batgirl) but was rescued by Ketchup Entertainment. Shot in 2022 with an initial planned release in 2023, Dave Green directs with a cast including Will Forte, Lana Condor, Tone Bell, Luis Guzmán, Martha Kelly, P.J. Byrne, and John Cena.

In March 2025, Ketchup also tried to squeeze some money out of The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. It premiered to just $3.2 million with a final domestic take under $10 million. Coyote has 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 75 Metacritic, but I’m skeptical family audiences will show up in huge numbers in this back to school time frame. While industry followers may be familiar with its struggles to reach the big screen, a large portion of its target audience is likely oblivious.

This still could open with more than what Earth made in total.

Coyote vs. Acme opening weekend prediction: $13.8 million

For my The Dog Stars prediction, click here:

The Dog Stars Box Office Prediction