Photo: Disney / Pixar

I just watched Kung Fu Panda again last night and just received the Blu-ray copy of WALL•E today, which is to say I am going to be watching that flick tonight, which means I am getting a double dose, two nights in a row, of the best animated films of the year just as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveils the list of the 14 features that have been submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 81st Academy Awards.

They are each listed below in alphabetical order, but I can tell you right now I don't think any film stands a chance against WALL•E unless Bolt ends up being cinematic genius. I have seen Waltz with Bashir and while it's tragic and quite impactful, as well as being a very impressive piece of animation, it isn't up to snuff with Pixar's mammoth.

Perhaps the most interesting thing here are the films not included on the list including Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Space Chimps. Under the rules for this category, a maximum of 3 films can be nominated in a year in which the field of eligible entries numbers at least 8 but fewer than 16. So there was still room to at least add them, were they not submitted for consideration?

Here's the list, the 81st Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2009, at 5:30 a.m. PT. You can keep up-to-date on everything Oscar with me in my The Contenders section. I know what's up!

• Bolt
• Delgo
• Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!
• Dragon Hunters
• Fly Me to the Moon
• Igor
• Kung Fu Panda
• Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
• $9.99
• The Sky Crawlers
• Sword of the Stranger
• The Tale of Despereaux
• WALL-E
• Waltz with Bashir

Related post categories: Kudos to You, Oscar Contenders, Oscar News : Bolt, Delgo, Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!, Igor, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, The Tale of Despereaux, WALL-E, Waltz with Bashir

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