Oscars Unveil Over 300 Eligible Films Across Animated, Documentary & International Feature Categories
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially released its full list of films eligible for the 98th Oscars in the three major categories: Animated Feature, Documentary Feature, and International Feature. In total, more than 300 films are now in contention.
📽️ Breakdown of the Eligible Films
- Animated Feature: 35 films are eligible for consideration.
- Documentary Feature: 201 documentary films made the cut.
- International Feature: 86 films from non-U.S. countries are eligible.
This huge eligibility list underscores just how global and diverse the Oscars filing pool has become — from animated blockbusters and festival favorites, to hard-hitting documentaries and films from around the world.
🗓️ Key Dates to Watch
The Academy has set a few important milestones for the eligible titles:
- Shortlists announcement: A 15-film shortlist for both Documentary and International Feature will be revealed on December 16, 2025.
- Nominations: Oscar nominations will be announced on January 22, 2026
- Award Ceremony: The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 15, 2026.
🌍 Why This Matters
This list is significant for several reasons:
- Diversity & Global Reach: With 86 international films eligible, the Academy continues to embrace stories from around the world, not just Hollywood.
- Documentary Boom: Over 200 documentaries being eligible shows strong interest from filmmakers tackling real-world issues, and it could lead to a very competitive shortlist.
- Animation’s Spotlight: The 35 eligible animated features include a wide range — from kids’ films to serious thematic pieces — signaling growing respect for animation in prestigious awards.
🔍 Notable Eligible Animated Films
The list of eligible animated films is particularly exciting — it includes franchise favorites and several high-profile titles:
- The Bad Guys 2
- Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
- The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
- Zootopia 2
- KPop Demon Hunters
🏆 What Happens Next
After announcing eligibility, the Academy will narrow the field to shortlists. Documentary and International categories will each see a 15-film list announced on December 16, 2025. Then, voting members will pick the final Oscar nominations, with the winners revealed at the Oscars ceremony in March.
