Selena Gomez (L) and Kylie Mar

Selena Gomez (L) and Kylie Mar

I was lucky enough to be one of the first few people to screen "The Peanuts Movie." I thought it was great! The adorable 3D animated film brought back feelings of nostalgia that no big kid could deny. I found the film to have many underlying positive messages for both kids and adults. It was cute, sweet and funny.

The movie proves that the Peanuts franchise -- its characters, art and storylines -- remains timeless and loved through every generation.

The reason why I liked this animated film so much was because it’s simple, classic, and unexpected. I didn’t know I was going to like it as much as I did. This got me thinking … What were the best animated films of 2015?

"The Peanuts Movie"

"The Peanuts Movie"

Last year, I could have bet my life on the fact that "Big Hero 6" was going to win the Oscar. I knew immediately after I screened the film, that it was the "Best Animated Film of the Year.” I felt the same way one year prior for the mega-successful phenomenon that is "Frozen," which was the preceding winner.

But WHO will take home this year’s Academy Award for Best Animated Feature? Let’s break it down.

The top 2015 animated films worth mentioning are (in no particular rank):

  • "Inside Out" (IMDB rating: 8.5)
  • "Home" (IMDB rating: 6.7)
  • "Minions" (IMDB rating: 6.6)
  • "The Good Dinosaur"
  • "The Peanuts Movie"
  • "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" (IMDB rating: 6.1)
  • "Hotel Transylvania 2" (IMDB rating: 7.1)
  • "Shaun the Sheep Movie" (IMDB rating: 7.4)

It seems like the obvious winner is Disney-Pixar’s "Inside Out." I think the film has a really good chance. “Pixar” basically translates to “Oscar” in Hollywood -- the studio has the most animated film nods, with nine total nominations and seven victories since the Academy created the Best Animated Feature category in 2001. I thought "Inside Out's" story concept was brilliant and the animation was beautiful, but I didn’t have immediate love and passion for it as I did for the past two Oscar winners.

WATCH: Exclusive Career Advice from Director of 'Inside Out' and Other Filmmakers

 

Although I have yet to see "The Good Dinosaur," which opens Thanksgiving Day, I have a feeling it might be the underdog this year. We haven’t heard too much about it yet, but the same could have been said about Disney’s "Frozen" and "Big Hero 6." The film is an upcoming 3D comedy adventure animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. There are no huge pop culture names as the voices, but the story is about, obviously, dinosaurs!

ALSO READ: How Stop-Motion Animation Brings 'Shaun the Sheep' to Life

 

Here is the reason why I have strong curiosity about this film. Who remembers the "Land Before Time" films? They were a huge part of my childhood. Thirteen films have been created in the franchise! Also, with the massive success of "Jurassic World" earlier in the year, I’d say it’s the year of the dinosaurs!!

So, at this point, I guess we can say only time will tell? Check back in in a month after I’ve seen "The Good Dinosaur" and I will have a more accurate prediction for this year’s winner!

Watch my interviews below with Selena Gomez and the creative team from "Hotel Transylvania 2":

https://youtu.be/5Uw4XxgAOs4