The film Flow surprised everyone at the 2025 play-by-play updates on the 2025 Oscars.

One of the first awards announced at the 2025 Oscars was the Best Animated Movie award. This category was an intense competition this year, and everyone expected either Inside Out 2 or The Wild Robot to win, given their unprecedented success at the box office. However, everyone was shocked when Andrew Garfield and Goldie Hawn announced Flow as the winner of the Oscar. The largely unheard-of film follows a cat who has to team up with other species of animals aboard a boat after a massive flood destroys its home. By winning the award, Flow broke an Oscars record in more ways than one.

Flow Is The First Indie Movie To Win Best Animated Movie At The Oscars

The Best Animated Movie Oscar Has Been Around For 24 Years

Though the film was the underdog, Flow set an incredible record after beating both Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot for Best Animated Film at the 2025 Oscars. The film is the first indie film to take the award. The award was only introduced in 2001, and it's only ever gone to Studio Ghibli or a major Hollywood studio. In contrast, the Latvian film Flow was produced by Dream Well Studio, Sacrebleu Productions, and Take Five.

The budget of Flow, 3.5 million euros or $3.65 million, is also significantly lower than its competitors for the Best Animated Movie Oscar. In contrast, Inside Out 2's budget was $200 million, while The Wild Robot cost $78 million. This makes Flow's win even more impressive.

Flow Also Set A Record As The First Movie From Latvia To Win An Oscar

Flow's Win Points To The Latvian Movie Industry As A Strong Competitor For Hollywood

In addition to setting the record as the first indie movie, Flow sets a record as the first movie from Latvia to win an Oscar. When it comes to major global film industries, Latvia is often overlooked, despite existing since 1910. However, Flow gaining the 2025 Oscar for Best Animated Movie provides hope that lesser-appreciated industries outside of Hollywood could have a fighting chance at recognition on a global scale.

Hopefully, international films like Flow will gain a wider global release, allowing more audiences to see the film after its success at the Oscars.

International animated films have found particularly high success in the past few months. In February, Flow became the most-viewed theatrical film in Latvian history. Similarly, Ne Zha 2 beat out Inside Out 2 for the highest-grossing animated movie. Hopefully, international films like Flow will gain a wider global release, allowing more audiences to see the film after its success at the Oscars.