Buzz
The Academy Awards are just around the corner, and there's still a little time left to check out the nominated films... though not much. With theater-to-streaming windows shrinking, it's easier than ever to watch the nominees, but the ever-increasing runtimes (this year’s Best Picture nominees average a lengthy 139 minutes) can make it challenging to fit them all in. Why not take a break and enjoy some award-winning animated shorts instead?
I’ve opted for this more time-efficient approach, diving into past Oscar-winning animated shorts to get into the Oscar spirit. It’s just as emotionally rewarding and far more manageable. While this year’s nominees are worth a look, only a few are easily streamable (Affairs of the Art, available on YouTube; Round Robin, on Netflix). Older winners are much more accessible. Here are 15 of the best, showcasing a range of styles and themes.
For the Birds (2000)
Length: 3 minutes
A humorous and charming Pixar short about a group of birds perched on a wire, and the larger bird who shakes things up. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the last laugh is the sweetest...
Where to stream: Disney+
Tin Toy (1988)
Length: 5 minutes
As the first CGI short to win an Oscar, Tin Toy was a groundbreaking milestone for Pixar, laying the foundation for their future animated masterpieces and directly inspiring the Toy Story franchise. The short tells an endearing tale of the titular toy evading its tiny pursuer, though the digital baby’s appearance might seem unsettling by today’s standards.
Where to stream: Disney+
The ChubbChubbs! (2002)
Length: 5 minutes
Sony Pictures Imageworks, the visual effects team behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (arguably the best Spider-Man film) and The Mitchells vs. the Machines, made a stunning debut in animation with this Oscar-winning short. Originally created to test their CGI capabilities, it’s a high-energy adventure filled with sci-fi nods, though it may not be the most emotionally deep of the bunch.
Where to stream: YouTube
Paperman (2012)
Length: 6 minutes
A charming retro love story that masterfully combines modern and traditional animation techniques into a visually stunning masterpiece. The protagonist, George, is a 1940s accountant who tries to reconnect with Meg, a woman he briefly met on a train. The short’s brilliance lies in its seamless fusion of 3D and 2D animation, which enhances rather than overshadows the heartfelt narrative.
Where to stream: Disney+
Feast (2014)
Length: 6 minutes
Building on the style of Paperman but introducing vibrant colors, Feast showcases another technical leap while remaining utterly charming—a balance often achieved more successfully in animation than live-action. Told from the perspective of a food-loving Boston Terrier, it explores themes of love, loss, and joy through the lens of meals, making it deeply relatable for anyone who’s ever owned a dog, been in a relationship, or enjoyed a plate of fries.
Where to stream: Disney+
Hair Love (2019)
Length: 6 minutes
Zuri and her dad navigate the challenges of styling her beautiful, voluminous natural hair, eventually seeking help from a video tutorial narrated by her mother (Issa Rae). The story culminates in a touching and emotional moment that’s sure to bring tears to your eyes. (An animated series based on these characters is in development at HBO Max.)
Where to stream: Sony’s YouTube feed.
The Cat Concerto (1946)
Length: 7 minutes
Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2” has never been performed in such a unique and unforgettable way. This classic short, brimming with the exquisite hand-drawn artistry of animation’s golden age and a touch of over-the-top humor, was directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, years before they became the legendary duo behind Hanna-Barbera.
Where to stream: Dailymotion
Mona Lisa Descending a Staircase (1992)
Length: 7 minutes
Animator Joan C. Gratz’s painstaking craftsmanship results in a mesmerizing flow of 55 modern art masterpieces, each meticulously recreated in clay and seamlessly transitioning into the next. The effortlessness of the animation belies the immense skill behind it.
Where to stream: YouTube, or Digital rental
Three Little Pigs (1933)
Length: 8 minutes
The impact and success of Three Little Pigs cannot be overstated, as it played a pivotal role in shaping the future of commercial animation. This early triumph for Walt Disney and his team grossed approximately $250,000 (a significant sum in 1933) and enjoyed an extended run in theaters. It not only won an Oscar but also popularized the song “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?,” which became an anthem during the Great Depression.
Where to stream: Disney+
The Old Mill (1937)
Length: 8 minutes
Eerie yet beautifully atmospheric, The Old Mill served as a testing ground for groundbreaking animation techniques. With minimal dialogue and a simple narrative, it portrays the lives of animals inhabiting an old mill and the devastating storm that threatens their home.
Where to stream: Disney+
Tango (1981)
Length: 8 minutes
Zbigniew Rybczyński’s avant-garde masterpiece, Tango, is a visually striking exploration of a single room’s lifecycle, showcasing the comings and goings of its inhabitants. The short’s Oscar win is legendary for its chaotic aftermath: Rybczyński’s name was mispronounced, he was cut off during his speech, and security barred him from re-entering the venue despite holding his award.
Where to stream: Vimeo, YouTube
Father and Daughter (2000)
Length: 8 minutes
This touching Dutch short film, Father and Daughter, captures the emotional journey of a daughter parting ways with her father to chase her dreams, delivering a profound impact in just a few minutes.
Where to stream: Kanopy, Vimeo, YouTube
Moonbird (1959)
Length: 10 minutes
Two young boys embark on an imaginative adventure to catch a Moonbird. Animators John Hubley and Faith Hubley secretly recorded their children’s playful storytelling and brought it to life through animation, creating a heartwarming and whimsical tale.
Where to stream: The Criterion Channel
If Anything Happens I Love You (2020)
Length: 12 minutes
This powerful short film dispels any skepticism about animation’s ability to convey deep emotions and complex themes. It portrays a couple torn apart by the tragedy of a school shooting, only to find their way back to each other through their shared love for the one they lost.
Where to stream: Netflix
The Danish Poet (2006)
Length: 14 minutes
Kaspar Jørgensen, the Danish poet, journeys to Norway in search of inspiration from a renowned writer. Through Torill Kove’s enchanting animation and Liv Ullmann’s narration, the story unravels a tapestry of chance encounters and serendipitous events that shape the lives of its characters. It’s a beautiful reflection on how small, seemingly insignificant moments can define our existence.
Where to stream: Kanopy, Ovid
