Which 1990s film was the first animated movie nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture?

Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast received the nomination for the 64th Academy Awards, honoring films released in 1991. It did not win Best Picture, but its nomination marked a major recognition of feature animation by the Academy.

The film was directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise and features songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. Its story follows Belle, who becomes connected to a prince transformed into a beast. The film won Oscars for Best Original Song and Best Original Score.

The Best Animated Feature category did not exist until the 74th Academy Awards, honoring 2001 releases. Beauty and the Beast therefore competed in the general Best Picture field, rather than in a dedicated animation category.