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Licensing at the Oscars: The Category That Actually Matters
Born to License
Why do some Oscar-winning films generate huge licensing businesses while others create almost none?
In this episode of Born to License, David looks at Hollywood’s biggest night through a licensing lens. While the world focuses on Best Picture, the licensing industry should be paying attention to a very different category: Best Animated Feature.
From Shrek to Frozen, animated films have consistently created billion-dollar licensing ecosystems that shape retail for years after their release. Meanwhile, many Best Picture winners - despite their cultural impact - generate little to no consumer products business.
David breaks down why animation continues to dominate licensing, what this year’s nominees tell us about the future of consumer products, and which upcoming franchises could become the next major licensing opportunities.
In this episode:
- Why Best Picture rarely translates into a major licensing program
- The licensing power of animated franchises like Shrek, Frozen, and Toy Story
- Why Best Animated Feature is the category that really matters for licensing
- The growing momentum behind K-Pop Demon Hunters
- Why upcoming releases like Toy Story 5 could become major licensing moments
- The importance of original IP in building long-term consumer products businesses
If you work in licensing, retail, or brand strategy, this is the Oscars category you should be watching.
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