The film took �9.4m in the UK in its opening weekend

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is among 10 films to make the list, with the final nominations to be announced on 31 January.

Another British-made film, Valiant, which was voiced by Ricky Gervais and Ewan McGregor, is also in the running.

They will compete against the likes of Chicken Little, Robots and Tim Burton's Corpse Bride.

Aardman Animations has previously won best short animated film Oscars for two Wallace and Gromit short films and Creature Comforts.

Fire damage

The other films on the list are Gulliver's Travel, Hoodwinked, Howl's Moving Castle, Madagascar and Steamboy.

The winner will be announced in the full Academy Awards ceremony on 5 March.

Released last month, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit has been a number one film in both the US and the UK, as well as topping the international box office chart outside North America.