Animation contenders so far:
1. Toy Story 3
2. How to Train Your Dragon
3. Tangled
4. The Illusionist
5. Despicable Me
Who are we kidding? Toy Story 3 has this thing in the bag. It is the highest grossing film of 2010. It is Pixar. It is the end of a beautiful trilogy. Hopefully it’s the end. One never knows. How to Train Your Dragon is also a great animated film. If it wasn’t up against Toy Story 3 it would have a chance.
Further Reading on Animated Feature:
- Craig Kennedy talks with Carlos Saldanha about Rio
- Pixar's first female lead in Brave, trailer
- Pixar's first female lead in Brave, trailer
- Tintin Hits Big at AFI Fest Closing Night
- 18 Animated Films to Compete for Oscar
- ParaNorman, teaser
- New Clip from Spielberg's TinTin
- TINTIN: "Exclusivity, Right?" A Few Get the Golden Ticket, Most Don't
- Arrietty, UK trailer
- TIME counts down the 25 best animated films





Is The Illusionist not a contender?
I found Toy Story 3 to be uninspired and self-indulgent.
How To Train Your Dragon was a superior animated film in that its story encompassed a true coming of age story. The animation held a perfect balance of fantasy and realism. Paired with a killer soundtrack and a campaign that was artist-driven (rather than pretentious like Toy Story 3).