Up In a move to reflect the large number of animated films released in 2009, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has revealed that it, too, will increase its best animated feature category from three to five movies when the Golden Globes nominations are announced on Dec. 15.

This move comes shortly after the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences' similar announcement that it will expand this year's Oscar animated movies nominees from three to five as well. Up In a move to reflect the large number of animated films released in 2009, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has revealed that it, too, will increase its best animated feature category from three to five movies when the Golden Globes nominations are announced on Dec. 15.

This move comes shortly after the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences' similar announcement that it will expand this year's Oscar animated movies nominees from three to five as well.

According to an HFPA press statement, the new rule reads: "If less than eight animated films qualify, the award will not be given, in which case the films would be eligible for Best Picture. If less than twelve animated films qualify, the category will be limited to three nominations per year."

The expansion of the category widens the race that in the past has been dominated by Pixar (the last three category winners were 'Cars,' 'Ratatouille' and 'WALL-E' -- all Pixar films). Will the expanded category burst the chances of the company's latest contender, 'Up'? The balloon adventure favorite faces heavy competition from other 2009 critically-acclaimed animated films like 'Coraline,' 'Fantastic Mr. Fox,' 'Ponyo' and 'Disney's A Christmas Carol.'

The 67th Annual Golden Globes, hosted by Ricky Gervais, will air live on Jan. 17 on NBC.