Animated films may push Oscar category to 5 nominees for second time ever

It's been a highly animated year in the movie world.

So much so the Oscars ceremony in March could be expanding to accommodate more than the usual number of cartoony big-screen vehicles.

The animated feature race may have five contenders vying for the prize for the first time since 2002, according to Variety.

Under the Academy of Motion Arts & Sciences rules, there must be at least 16 eligible films in a year for there to be five nominees.

Twenty films have been submitted for consideration – including "Up," the high-flying balloon adventure, and "The Princess and the Frog," Disney's amphibian-themed musical.Read more:Here