Why You Might Be Calling 'Sausage Party' A History-Making Oscar-Winning Film Next Year

You've probably seen, if not familiar with, Seth Rogen's latest comedy — adult-animated film Sausage Party — and after it smashed the box office following its release this past August, Sony Pictures are now pushing for it to be included in next year's Oscars ceremony. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, after the film grossed $US135 million worldwide on a $US19 million budget (making it the highest grossing R-rated animated film of all time), Sony are looking for it to make the cut for Best Animated Feature, which has never been achieved by an R-rated film before. 

It will be a tough ask if it is to score a nomination in that category, as it will likely contend against Pixar blockbuster and the biggest animated film of all time in the US, Finding Dory.

"We've never been this passionate about a film and we're thrilled to enter uncharted territory," Rogen said, who co-wrote the film with Evan Goldberg.

"It's rare you really get to break new ground, and we hope that people view it as a good thing for the medium."

"Academy members are way smarter and more forward-thinking than people realise," Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman added.

"They want to recognise bold, original, risky breakthroughs, and that’s what Sausage Party is, however subversive. Plus, it's just plain cool."

Sony's campaign kicks off next month when Sausage Party will screen in LA for a guest list that includes members of the Academy's short films and feature animation branch and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

It is also hoped that the film will be recognised in the Best Original Song category for The Great Beyond (music by eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Rogen, Goldberg, Kyle Hunter, Ariel Shaffir and Glenn Slater).

The previous record-holder for the highest grossing R-rated animated feature of all time, South Park Bigger, Longer & Uncut, released in 1999, picked up a nomination in the same category at the 2000 Oscars for Blame Canada, though it lost to Phil Collins' You'll Be In My Heart.