Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius made its way into the Best Animated Film category with its quirky tale of a young boy forced to battle hostile UFOs. Though the film initially details young Jimmy's propensity towards building inventions that don't work, the plot kicks into rollicking high gear once every parent in Jimmy's town is kidnapped by dastardly aliens. The film proves that computer animated gems aren't the sole reign of Dreamworks (PDI) and Disney (Pixar). But given that it's up against two of the most popular animated films of the year, the film may not have much of a chance. Though you know what they say about the underdog…

Shrek

It comes as no surprise that Shrek is one of the inaugural nominees in this newly formed category. It ended up being one of the biggest hits of last year, thanks to gorgeous animation, insider jokes for adults and a good gross-out factor for the kids. Mike Myers voices Shrek, the misfit ogre everyone's felt themselves to be at one time or another. Combine this with Eddie Murphy's Donkey, Cameron Diaz as the less-than fairy tale princess and an ending that's guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings and you've got an instant animated classic.

Monsters, Inc.

The latest computer animated offering from Pixar (the people who brought you Toy Story) is also one of their most accomplished. Monsters, Inc. matches Toy Story's technical wizardry with a warm-hearted story that holds appeal for all ages. Sully, a blue, furry monster voiced by John Goodman and Mike, a walking eyeball, voiced by Billy Crystal, are on assignment to provide power in the form of children's screams, which is becoming harder to achieve. Things go from bad to worse when a human child does the unthinkable and crosses into the monster world- a world, as every child knows, that exists only at night just behind the closet door.