‘Zootopia 2’, ‘The Secret Agent’, and more: Major films already eligible for Oscars

The motion pictures eligible for scoring nominations at next year’s Oscars were announced last week, November 21.

Among the current eligibility criteria are features ranging between the categories of animation, documentary, and international films. The total comes down to 35 animated films, 201 documentaries, and 86 international titles.

While the 98th Academy Awards are set to take place on March 16, 2026, discover some of the major and lesser known credits alike which may become Oscar nominees (and potential winners) in the near future.

Zootopia 2

Category: Animated feature

Despite not releasing until November 26, Disney’s sequel 2016’s Zootopia makes the list due to its debut near the period of eligibility. Zootopia 2 will mark the return of Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman as the movie’s protagonists, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. While Andy Samberg, Ke Huy Quan, Macaulay Culkin, and Brenda Song are among those to join the franchise.

The Secret Agent

Category: International feature

Brazil’s official entry for Oscars 2026, The Secret Agent is a taut ‘70s-set political thriller starring Wagner Moura. The film first premiered at Cannes this year, where it won the festival’s critics prize (Fipresci Award) and gathered huge acclaim, going on to become one of this film and awards season’s critical darlings.

My Mom Jayne

Category: Documentary feature

Directed by actress Mariska Hargitay, My Mom Jayne is a moving tribute to her late mother, herself an actress and popular screen icon, Jayne Mansfield. Released in May, the documentary explores Hargitay’s own relationship with the legacy of her mother, who had unfortunately passed away when the Law & Order alum was only three years old — and part of the car crash which killed Mansfield.

KPop Demon Hunters

Category: Animated feature

Based on the highly sensational world of the Korean Pop industry, KPop Demon Hunters was released on Netflix in August and following a successful theatrical run in the US and the UK, went on to become the most watched film of all time on the streaming platform.

Sirāt

Category: International feature

Sirāt is Spain’s official submission for the 98th Academy Awards and was also part of the films which had its premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Directed by French-born Spanish filmmaker Óliver Laxe, the film first gained prominence when it won Cannes’ Jury Prize and also bagged subsequent accolades at Chicago International Film Festival in October, while having pending nominations from multiple other platforms still.

Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost

Category: Documentary feature

Documentaries dedicated to famous parents, directed by their equally renowned offspring, is a clear theme across the genre this year — Ben Stiller’s legacy exploration of his iconic comedian parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, is also eligible to compete for the Oscars’ nomination round.