The next piece of scrap metal Wall-E picks up could be Oscar gold.
The critically acclaimed Disney-Pixar collaboration was one of 14 movies submitted for consideration in the Best Animated Film category at the 81st Annual Academy Awards next year.
With this many films in contention (more than eight and less than 16), at least three will wind up on the final ballot sent to voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences come awards season.
While Wall-E inhabits both the worlds of commercial success ($223 million at the U.S. box office) and artistic accomplishment ("Chaplinesque in its emotional purity," per the New York Times), the films in the running range from kiddie favorites (Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Kung Fu Panda) to more adult-oriented fare (Waltz With Bashir, $9.99).
Also with a chance at a spot on the short list are Bolt, Delgo, Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!, Dragon Hunters, Fly Me to the Moon, Igor, The Sky Crawlers, Sword of the Stranger and The Tale of Despereaux.
Oscar nominations will be announced Jan. 22 and the statues will be handed out Feb. 26 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.