Best Animated Feature Showdown: Can Stop Motion Beat 3D at the Oscars?
Every year, the Academy Awards provide a snapshot of the state of filmmaking, and the 2025 Best Animated Feature nominations tell a fascinating story about where animation stands today. On one side, we have films crafted with meticulous stop motion techniques, where each frame is carefully arranged to create movement. On the other, we see the sleek, expressive 3D animation that has come to define modern blockbusters. With such distinct approaches competing for the industry’s top honor, this year’s Oscars reflect an ongoing debate: Is stop motion a fading art form, or does it still have the power to compete with 3D animation in today’s industry?
A tale of two animation styles
This year’s Best Animated Feature nominees highlight two animation styles that dominate this year’s race — 3D animation and stop motion.
3D animation leads the pack with the digital powerhouses Inside Out 2 (Pixar) and The Wild Robot (DreamWorks), both showcasing advanced computer-generated animation. Pixar continues its legacy of pushing the boundaries of emotional storytelling through expressive, high-detail character animation, while DreamWorks’ adaptation of The Wild Robot brings an organic, painterly touch to its digitally crafted world. These films highlight how far 3D animation has come in capturing human emotion and environmental realism.
Stop motion animation, on the other hand, has a charm all its own. Adam Elliot’s Memoir of a Snail stays true to his signature handmade style, much like his earlier film Mary and Max.
With its carefully crafted models and unique textures, it brings a warmth that 3D animation often can’t replicate. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl continues Aardman’s tradition of stop motion mastery, proving that even in a world dominated by digital effects, there’s still a place for the tactile, hands-on artistry of physical animation. While stop motion relies more on digital tools today for effects and cleanup, its appeal comes from the real-world materials, giving it a distinct and timeless feel.
Sitting between these two approaches is Flow, a film that blends digital tools with a handcrafted aesthetic, representing a potential future where stop motion and digital enhancements coexist to create something new.
A very brief history of Oscars and animation trends
The Best Animated Feature category has been part of the Oscars since 2001, and throughout its history, 3D animation has dominated. The very first winner was Shrek (2001), a film that marked a turning point for digital storytelling. Since then, studios like Pixar, DreamWorks, and Disney have used ever-advancing computer animation techniques to craft immersive worlds and lifelike characters, dominating the Academy Awards.
However, stop motion has made notable breakthroughs. Most recently, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022) took home the Oscar, proving that the Academy still values handcrafted artistry. Before that, Aardman and Laika Studios had received multiple nominations, with films like Kubo and the Two Strings and Coraline gaining critical acclaim but often falling short of winning the big prize.
The strengths and challenges of each style
Each animation technique has its own advantages and limitations. Stop motion animation, though painstaking and time-intensive, offers a unique aesthetic that cannot be fully replicated by digital tools. The physicality of stop motion brings a charm that resonates deeply with audiences. However, modern stop motion films, including Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Memoir of a Snail, increasingly incorporate digital elements for effects, cleanup and compositing, blending handcrafted artistry with digital enhancements.
On the other hand, 3D animation is celebrated for its efficiency and limitless possibilities. Filmmakers can create expansive worlds and achieve precise character expressions without the constraints of physical sets. This is why the highest-grossing animated films in history, including Frozen, Toy Story, and The Lion King remake, are all digitally animated. With constant advancements in rendering, motion capture, and AI-assisted animation, 3D remains the industry’s dominant force.
What will the Academy choose?
This year’s Best Animated Feature Oscar race seems to have a frontrunner. Many expect Inside Out 2 to take home the prize, with its emotional storytelling and Pixar’s track record of success. However, with stop motion films like Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Memoir of a Snail in the mix, could the Academy throw a curveball? While 3D animation has long been the dominant force, past surprises — like Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio winning Best Animated Feature in 2022 — show that the Oscars don’t always follow expectations. That film blended classic stop motion with digital techniques, proving that handcrafted animation still has a place in modern filmmaking.
Bringing animation styles to your own videos
At Videobolt, we understand the power of motion. Whether you’re drawn to the realism of 3D animation or the handcrafted appeal of stop motion, we offer tools to bring these styles into your own video projects.
If you love the nostalgic feel of stop motion, you can explore our stop-motion-inspired templates, designed to mimic the handcrafted movement and charm of classic animation.
For those who prefer sleek, dynamic visuals, our 3D animation templates provide professional-grade motion graphics that capture attention.
With thousands of motion graphics templates, Videobolt makes it easy to incorporate both 3D animation and stop motion aesthetics — without needing a Hollywood budget.
Final thoughts
The 2025 Oscars prove that both 3D animation and stop motion are thriving, each offering unique advantages. Whether you’re captivated by the hyper-realism of 3D animation or the tactile magic of stop motion, there’s no wrong choice — only the best tool for the story you want to tell. What’s your favorite animation style? Let us know, and explore how Videobolt can help bring your ideas to life. Happy creating!