WHAT ABOUT THE HYBRIDS?

Since its inception in 2001, the Best Animated Feature category has not recognized animation/live-action mixes — and things are unlikely to change this year, despite their box-office dominance. Still, some 2021 hybrids could attract Oscar attention in other categories.

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Director: Walt Becker

Released by: Paramount Pictures

Production Studio: Scholastic Entertainment, New Republic Pictures, The Kerner Entertainment Co.

Live-Action Cast: Darby Camp, Jack Whitehall

Voice Cast: David Alan Grier

Synopsis: A young girl and her gigantic dog go on the lam in New York, fleeing from representatives of a genetics company wanting to know the secret of Clifford’s super size.

Release Date:

November 10 (U.S.)

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway

Director: Will Gluck

Released by: Sony Pictures Releasing

Production Studios: Columbia Pictures, Animal Logic

Live-Action Cast: Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleason, David Oyewolo

Voice Cast: James Corden, Margot Robbie, Colin Moody

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66%

Synopsis: When books about Peter portray him as a bad little bunny begin to appear, he runs away from the garden and stumbles into dangers and adventures in the big city.

Release Date: June 11

Space Jam: A New Legacy

Director: Malcolm D. Lee

Released by: Warner Bros. Pictures

Production Studios: Warner Animation Group

Live Action Cast: LeBron James, Don Cheadle

Voice Cast: Jeff Bergman, Eric Bauza, Zendaya

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 26%

Synopsis: NBA superstar LeBron James is sucked into the Warner Bros. computer server trying to rescue his son and forced to play-off against a team of monsters with the Looney Tunes.

Release Date: July 16

Tom & Jerry

Director: Tim Story

Released by: Warner Bros. Pictures

Production Studios: Warner Animation Group

Live Action Cast: Chlöe Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Colin Jost

Voice Cast: Bobby Cannavale, Nicky Jam

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 31%

ynopsis: Tom and Jerry take over a posh Manhattan hotel during a posh celebrity wedding, wrecking everything but their reputation.

Release Date: February 26 (U.S.)