Official 2026 Oscar Visual Effects Shortlist: The Top 20 Finalists

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially announced the twenty films remaining in the race for the Best Visual Effects Oscar at the 98th Academy Awards. This year’s shortlist features a diverse collection of contenders ranging from massive superhero blockbusters and sci-fi epics to grounded disaster dramas and period creature features. Major studios such as Disney, Warner Bros., and Universal dominate the field with multiple entries that push the boundaries of digital artistry and practical filmmaking. The Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee selected these finalists based on their artistic merit and technical achievement in creating believable worlds and characters.

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (2025)

James Cameron returns to Pandora to explore new regions and cultures in this third installment of the blockbuster franchise. The visual effects team at Weta FX introduces the Ash People and expands the biodiversity of the alien moon with unprecedented detail. High-frame-rate underwater photography and advanced performance capture technology bring the Na’vi and their environments to life with photorealistic clarity. This film builds upon the groundbreaking water simulations of its predecessor while introducing complex fire and volcanic effects.

‘Captain America: Brave New World’ (2025)

Sam Wilson faces a global crisis that tests his abilities as the new Captain America in this political thriller. The visual effects work centers on high-altitude aerial combat sequences and the realization of new superhuman threats. Digital artists created extensive environments and seamlessly integrated practical stunts with computer-generated imagery to depict the film’s large-scale action set pieces. ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ also features significant character animation work to bring the formidable Red Hulk to the screen.

‘The Electric State’ (2025)

Directed by the Russo Brothers, this retro-futuristic adventure traverses a decaying American landscape populated by colossal battle drones. The visual effects team was tasked with blending 1990s nostalgia with advanced robotics and dystopian scenery. Complex character animation was required for the various robots that accompany the human protagonists on their journey. ‘The Electric State’ utilizes a mix of digital environments and practical locations to establish its unique alternative history aesthetic.

‘F1’ (2025)

This high-speed sports drama stars Brad Pitt as a former driver returning to Formula 1. The production prioritized realism by filming actual races and utilizing specialized camera rigs mounted on real cars. Visual effects were employed to seamlessly blend the actors into live Grand Prix footage and to enhance the visceral sense of speed. ‘F1’ demonstrates how invisible effects can support practical photography to create an authentic immersive experience for the audience.

‘The Fantastic 4: First Steps’ (2025)

Marvel Studios introduces its first family in a film set against a retro-futuristic backdrop inspired by the 1960s. The visual effects department faced the challenge of rendering the distinct powers of each team member including stretching, invisibility, fire, and rock-like strength. Artists created a stylized version of New York City that aligns with the film’s specific period aesthetic. ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ also required massive cosmic environments and character effects to depict the team’s intergalactic adversaries.

‘Frankenstein’ (2025)

Guillermo del Toro offers a dark and atmospheric adaptation of the classic Mary Shelley novel. The visual effects complement the extensive special makeup effects used to create the creature and other grotesque figures. Digital enhancements were used to expand the gothic environments and manipulate weather elements to set the film’s somber tone. ‘Frankenstein’ relies on a seamless marriage of practical craftsmanship and subtle digital artistry to ground its horror in reality.

‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2025)

This live-action reimagining of the beloved animated classic brings the Viking village of Berk and its fire-breathing inhabitants to the real world. Visual effects supervisors worked to translate the stylized designs of the original dragons into photorealistic creatures that interact convincingly with human actors. The flight sequences required extensive wind and atmospheric simulations to sell the physics of dragon riding. ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ aims to capture the charm of the source material while leveraging modern VFX technology for a grounded fantasy aesthetic.

‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ (2025)

The latest entry in the dinosaur saga introduces new prehistoric species and varied global locations. Industrial Light & Magic continues its legacy of creature creation by combining animatronics with cutting-edge computer-generated animals. The film features complex interaction between humans and dinosaurs in diverse environments ranging from humid jungles to urban centers. ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ pushes the boundaries of skin texture rendering and muscle simulation to make its ancient creatures feel heavier and more dangerous than ever.

‘Lilo & Stitch’ (2025)

Disney’s live-action remake brings the destructive yet lovable Experiment 626 to Hawaii. The primary visual effects challenge involved creating a CGI protagonist that could act alongside human performers and convey complex emotions. Artists also crafted the various alien bounty hunters and spaceships that invade the film’s island setting. ‘Lilo and Stitch’ balances the cartoon physics of the original character with the textures and lighting of a live-action world.

‘The Lost Bus’ (2025)

Paul Greengrass directs this harrowing drama based on the true story of the Camp Fire in Paradise, California. The visual effects team was responsible for recreating the terrifying scale and behavior of the massive wildfire. Smoke simulations, ember storms, and encroaching flames were meticulously crafted to surround the characters and the bus they utilize for escape. ‘The Lost Bus’ uses these invisible effects to heighten the tension and realism of a disaster that is too dangerous to film practically.

‘Mickey 17’ (2025)

Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi film follows an expendable employee sent to colonize an ice world. The visual effects work encompasses the creation of the frozen alien landscape and the cloning technology central to the plot. Digital doubles and seamless transitions were essential for sequences involving multiple iterations of the protagonist. ‘Mickey 17’ combines a gritty industrial aesthetic with the surreal elements of its high-concept premise.

‘A Minecraft Movie’ (2025)

Adapting the world’s best-selling video game required a unique visual approach to translate blocky voxels into a cinematic format. The filmmakers chose to blend live-action actors with a fully digital world constructed from cubes. Visual effects artists focused on lighting and texture to give the block-based environments a sense of physical tangibility. ‘A Minecraft Movie’ also features square-shaped creatures that had to move and emote in a way that felt true to the game’s mechanics.

‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ (2025)

Tom Cruise returns for another globe-trotting mission filled with death-defying stunts. While the franchise is known for its practical action, visual effects play a crucial role in safety rig removal and environment extension. The team enhanced key set pieces involving aerial and underwater sequences to increase the scope and danger. ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ utilizes digital tools to polish and augment the practical footage without breaking the illusion of reality.

‘Predator: Badlands’ (2025)

Dan Trachtenberg expands the lore of the alien hunter in this standalone sci-fi thriller. The film required advanced creature effects to depict the Predator’s cloaking technology and its arsenal of futuristic weaponry. Visual effects artists collaborated with suit performers to enhance the alien’s movement and facial articulation. ‘Predator: Badlands’ also utilizes digital environments to create a distinct and isolating setting for the hunt.

‘The Running Man’ (2025)

Edgar Wright’s adaptation of the Stephen King novel presents a dystopian future where reality TV has turned deadly. The visual effects team built a high-tech futuristic city and the elaborate arenas used for the deadly game show. Holographic interfaces and energy weapons were designed to reflect the film’s satirical yet dark tone. ‘The Running Man’ relies on VFX to create the spectacle of the chase while maintaining the gritty atmosphere of a society in collapse.

‘Sinners’ (2025)

Ryan Coogler reunites with Michael B. Jordan for this supernatural period thriller set in the Jim Crow South. The visual effects work involves the creation of terrifying vampire creatures and the manifestation of their supernatural powers. Atmospheric effects such as fog and shadow were digitally enhanced to build suspense and dread. ‘Sinners’ uses visual effects to ground its folklore-inspired horror in a historically authentic setting.

‘Superman’ (2025)

James Gunn launches the new DC Universe with this fresh take on the Man of Steel. The film required extensive visual effects to depict Superman’s flight, heat vision, and super strength with a modern sense of physics. Digital artists created the sprawling metropolis of Metropolis and the alien landscapes of Krypton. ‘Superman’ aims to balance bright, comic-book-accurate aesthetics with the weight and texture of a live-action blockbuster.

‘Thunderbolts*’ (2025)

A team of anti-heroes and reformed villains takes center stage in this Marvel Studios production. The visual effects range from the Ghost’s phasing abilities to the chaotic energy projection of the Sentry. Massive destruction simulations were necessary for the film’s climactic battles and action sequences. ‘Thunderbolts*’ blends diverse power sets and visual styles into a cohesive action-adventure experience.

‘Tron: Ares’ (2025)

The franchise returns to the Grid with a visual style that evolves the iconic neon aesthetic established in previous films. Visual effects artists were tasked with designing new light cycles, identifiers, and digital landscapes that push the boundaries of computer graphics. The film explores the intrusion of the digital world into the real world, requiring a seamless blend of the two realities. ‘Tron: Ares’ continues the series’ legacy of pioneering new visual effects techniques and distinct art direction.

‘Wicked: For Good’ (2025)

The second part of the musical adaptation concludes the story of Elphaba and Glinda in the land of Oz. Visual effects are used extensively to create the magical creatures, flying monkeys, and the Emerald City itself. The film features complex magical particle effects and environment extensions to bring the fantasy world to the screen. ‘Wicked: For Good’ relies on digital artistry to match the grandeur of the musical numbers and the emotional stakes of the finale.

Share your predictions for which films will make the final five nominations in the comments.