The Academy Has Reveales the Best Visual Effects Contenders Shortlist for the 2026 Oscars

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The competition for the 98th Academy Awards is heating up! The Academy has announced a shortlist of ten films vying for the Best Visual Effects award. This year’s selection includes a wide variety of movies, from small, character-driven stories to large-scale action blockbusters. The films were chosen by the Academy’s Visual Effects branch for their impressive artistry and technical achievements. Now, branch members will watch clips and interviews to decide on the final five nominees.

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (2025)

James Cameron revisits the world of Pandora in the latest Avatar film, introducing a new Na’vi tribe called the Ash People. The film boasts stunning visual effects from Wētā FX, building on their groundbreaking work with performance capture and water simulation – and now adding realistic volcanic landscapes. The visuals showcase diverse environments, contrasting with the ocean settings of the first movie, and explore a more intense side of Na’vi culture with uniquely designed characters reflecting a fire-based aesthetic.

‘The Electric State’ (2025)

The Russo brothers have adapted Simon Stålenhag’s artwork into a visually stunning film with a distinctive retro-futuristic style. The movie follows a road trip through a crumbling American West populated by huge, thinking robots. To make these mechanical giants feel realistic and imposing, the filmmakers combined physical robot models with impressive digital effects. The film’s digital landscapes are key to creating a world that feels both familiar and unsettling.

‘F1’ (2025)

Director Joseph Kosinski, known for his stunning aerial cinematography, brings that same innovative approach to the fast-paced world of Formula 1 racing in this film. The production team used actual race cars equipped with IMAX cameras to capture a truly immersive and realistic sense of speed. While visual effects were used to improve the race tracks and crowds, they were carefully integrated with real-life stunts to maintain a believable experience. The goal was to put the audience inside the driver’s seat, using subtle effects that feel real rather than artificial.

‘Frankenstein’ (2025)

Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel is a visually stunning film, showcasing his distinctive gothic flair. The creature is brought to life through a combination of detailed makeup and digital effects. The film’s atmospheric settings and lighting aren’t just beautiful – they also reflect the characters’ inner struggles. The production team focused on creating a realistic, textured world to make the horror feel more intense and believable.

‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ (2025)

Gareth Edwards directs the latest dinosaur film, aiming for a grander and more immersive experience. The filmmakers focused on creating incredibly realistic dinosaurs that convincingly share the screen with both lush tropical settings and the actors. New technology, especially in areas like muscle movement and skin detail, makes the dinosaurs’ actions feel incredibly lifelike. This installment also features entirely new dinosaur species, demanding a lot of creative work in design and animation to make them unique.

‘The Lost Bus’ (2025)

Paul Greengrass’s film is a gripping story of survival set during the 2018 Camp Fire in California. Creating the realistic wildfires was a major challenge for the filmmakers. They used computer-generated smoke and fire, blending it seamlessly with real footage, to show how dangerous the situation was. These effects are crucial to building tension and highlighting the peril faced by the bus driver and those on board.

‘Sinners’ (2025)

Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan team up again for a spooky thriller inspired by Southern folklore. The movie builds a terrifying mood with clever visual effects, subtly changing the environment and enhancing the creatures within it. The filmmakers created a specific historical feel, seamlessly blending supernatural elements into a realistic setting. They skillfully use darkness and light to keep the film’s monsters hidden until key moments of intense fright.

‘Superman’ (2025)

James Gunn is kicking off the new DC Universe with a fresh take on Superman and his powers. The filmmakers created a visually stunning, modern Metropolis that feels both futuristic and classic, like something out of the comics. Achieving realistic flight scenes demanded cutting-edge digital effects, particularly for creating convincing doubles and backgrounds that showed speed and force. Throughout the movie, each superhero’s unique abilities have their own distinct visual style.

‘Tron: Ares’ (2025)

This new installment in the sci-fi series pushes the boundaries of visual effects, bringing the digital world of the Grid into our own. Artists worked hard to combine the Grid’s signature glowing neon look with realistic cityscapes. The classic light cycles and identity discs have been redesigned to look iconic while behaving realistically. The filmmakers relied heavily on strong lighting and digital editing to seamlessly merge these two very different worlds.

‘Wicked: For Good’ (2025)

The story of Oz reaches its climax as Elphaba and Glinda deal with the results of their decisions in the Emerald City. This second part of the adventure builds on the magical world with impressive digital effects, including incredible spells and environments. The filmmakers brought the story to life with flying monkeys and other fantastic creatures, creating a visually stunning experience. Audiences are fully immersed in the wizard’s world thanks to sweeping camera angles and vibrant special effects.

Share your thoughts on which of these films deserves to take home the Oscar in the comments.

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2025-12-17 19:45