‘Inside Out 2’ Headed for Oscars Animated Feature and Best Picture?

The ongoing struggle to elevate animated features to the same level of best-picture recognition as live-action films will undoubtedly resurface by year’s end. This time, the spotlight will be on Pixar‘s highly successful sequel, “Inside Out 2,” a film that could bring joy and success amid a dark cloud hovering around Hollywood studios.

With debut director Kelsey Mann taking over from Pete Docter, the second installment follows Riley (Kensington Tallman) during her teenage years. Along with her core emotions — Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale, replacing Bill Hader), and Disgust (Liza Lapira, replacing Mindy Kaling) — she begins encountering new emotions, notably Anxiety (Maya Hawke).

The first film had a budget of $175 million and made $858 million worldwide. It received two Oscar noms for original screenplay and animated feature, winning the latter. However, during the era when the Academy recognized 5-10 movies for best picture, it didn’t land among the eight that included eventual winner “Spotlight” (2015). The Academy returned to having 10 guaranteed slots in the top category in 2021. Still, this change has yet to increase recognition for animated feature nominees or winners outside the category. Although Neon’s “Flee” made history with three noms for animated, documentary and international feature, there’s been little to no recognition anywhere else (except for original…