'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYH/8QAIBAAAQQBBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgEDBBEABQYSExQhQv/EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAED/8QAHBEAAQMFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQhM1Hw/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDMdDhQ9xTFnuNcGo0XyCaQBTtMAulr5vJ8FMwEu9xOSXSekTGMYrMQlW5O2f/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The top 20 Oscar contenders in the visual effects category have been revealed, as reported by Variety.
The list bursts with a number of films across diverse genres, be it action, black comedy, fantasy, sci-fi, horror, or thriller. It features a mix of some incredibly well-rated films as well as the ones that got lukewarm critical responses. However, regardless of the film's performance, this category at the Oscars is solely dedicated to its work in the visual effects department.
In the year 2025, Dune: Part Two swept the Oscar award for Best Visual Effects. This time, the competition looks more nail-biting, as we have a whopping number of 20 contenders for the award.
Keep reading to uncover the full list of the Top 20 Oscar contenders for Best Visual Effects.
1) Wicked: For Good
Jon M. Chu's latest sequel, Wicked: For Good, explores the bond between Elphaba and Glinda while encountering several challenges in the world of Oz. Under the vision of VFX Supervisor Pablo Helman, companies, namely Framestore and Industrial Light & Magic, were involved in the creation of its visual effects.
Its predecessor film in 2024, Wicked, was nominated in the same category of Best Visual Effects at the Oscars.
2) How to Train Your Dragon
The much-loved live-action of the animated film, How to Train Your Dragon, also makes it into the list of Top 20 Oscar contenders. What also makes it even more special is that it is the first live-action film of the animation company DreamWorks. Directed by Dean DeBlois, the film narrates the story of an unexpected friendship between a boy and a dragon that defies tradition and age-old animosity.
The VFX work for the film has been supervised by Christian Manz, with the British VFX company Framestore. Multiple studios of the company across cities of various countries have been involved in the process, including Mumbai, Montreal, London, and Melbourne.
3) Lilo and Stitch
Another live-action film, Lilo and Stitch, has made its way into the Top 20 contenders for the Oscar. This Walt Disney production, directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, explores the world of two sisters. However, things go chaotic when the younger sister Lilo befriends an alien named Stitch.
The VFX of the film was led by Craig Hammack, with the company Industrial Light & Magic being involved in the creation. The rest of the companies involved in the project include Atomic Arts, Moving Picture Company, Crafty Apes, Luma Pictures, Cantina Creative, and Untold Studios.
4) A Minecraft Movie
The movie adaptation of Mojang Studio's iconic game Minecraft is helmed by Jared Hess. It follows the plot of how four wacky people enter the cubic world of the Nether, as they face the wrath of the tyrannical Malgosha.
Dan Lemmon was involved in the project as the VFX supervisor. The companies involved in the visual effects include Wētā FX, Digital Domain, and Sony Pictures Imageworks.
5) F1: The Movie
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, this sports drama follows the plot of a seasoned F1 racer who, after a sabbatical of 30 years, comes back to the sport in order to help a team win a race.
For its work in the visual effects department, we have Ryan Tudhope as the main head, in association with Framestore.
6) Jurassic World: Rebirth
This sci-fi film from Jurassic World is helmed by Gareth Edwards. The film explores the journey of a research team who, in the quest to find specimens for a medical cure, track down the resurrected dinosaurs who are living on earth from whom they can be procured.
The film's visual effects were done by Industrial Light & Magic, with VFX Supervisor David Vickery's lead.
7) Mickey 17
This sci-fi black comedy by Bong Joon Ho explores the plot of how an 'expendable' named Mickey is hired by a company to exert control over a planet named Niflheim. So whenever Mickey dies, a clone of him emerges.
The VFX of the film has been supervised by Dan Glass. The companies involved are Turncoat Pictures, Framestore, DNEG, and Rising Sun Pictures.
8) Predator: Badlands
The latest film from the Predator franchise, directed by Dan Trachtenberg, explores the expedition of a young Predator and an android as they befriend and join forces against the Weyland-Yutani.
The VFX of the film is led by Kathy Siegel and Olivier Dumont, in association with companies including Important Looking Pirates, Industrial Light & Magic, Trixter, The Yard VFX, Rising Sun Pictures, Framestore, and Wētā FX.
9) Thunderbolts*
This MCU film explores the story of a squad of morally grey heroes who are brought together for a high-stakes operation.
The visual effects of the superhero film have been managed by Jake Morrison. The companies associated include Crafty Apes, Framestore, Rising Sun Pictures, Industrial Light & Magic, Mammal Studios, Digital Domain, and Raynault VFX.
10) Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
The last film of the franchise has been directed by Christopher McQuarrie. In this film, we witness Ethan Hunt in a run for safeguarding humanity from the forces of the Entity.
The VFX has been facilitated by Jeff Sutherland. Companies, namely Halon Entertainment, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and Clear Angle Studios, have been engaged in the creation of their visual effects.
11) Sinners
Ryan Coogler's horror film Sinners is set in the 1930s, where a twin brother duo decides to leave their dark past and begin a new chapter of their lives. However, upon the arrival of a vampire, things become chaotic for the brothers.
The visual effects of the film have been led by Nick Marshall. Base FX, Light VFX, Storm Studios, Outpost VFX, Industrial Light & Magic, and Rising Sun Pictures are the companies engaged with the VFX work.
12) The Electric State
This Anthony and Joe Russo-directed directorial explores the plot of how a teen girl joins hands with a robot in pursuit of reuniting with her estranged brother.
Matthew Butler serves as the VFX Supervisor, in association with companies including Storm Studios, D-bond, Industrial Light & Magic, Digital Domain, Lola VFX, and One of Us.
13) Tron: Ares
A part of the Tron franchise, this film is helmed by Joachim Rønning. The film explores the complex interaction between the digital and the real world when a programme named Ares is launched in the human world.
The VFX of the film was managed by David Seager. Lola VFX, Imaginary Forces, Distillery VFX, GMUNK, Image Engine, OPSIS, and Industrial Light & Magic.
14) Superman
Superman by James Gunn explores the journey of the Kryptonian superhero who confronts Lex Luthor as he lives in dual identities.
The VFX for the DC film was facilitated by Stephane Ceretti. The companies involved are Rodeo FX, ILM, Framestore, and Weta FX.
15) The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Matt Shakman's MCU film narrates how the family of Fantastic Four confronts the planet-eating supervillain Galactus.
Scott Stokdyk serves as the VFX Supervisor of the Oscar-contending film, with companies namely Sony Pictures Imageworks, Weta FX, Digital Domain, ILM, RISE, and Framestore.
16) The Running Man
The Edgar Wright film has been added to the Top 20 list for the Oscars. The film is set in a dangerous competition, where participants are chased by Hunters. The winner is promised a huge sum of cash money. The film explores the story of Ben, who, on a quest to save his ailing young daughter, joins the high-stakes game.
The VFX of the film is supervised by Andrew Whitehurst. Untold Studios, ILM, TPO VFX, and Rodeo FX are the companies involved in the process.
17) Captain America: Brave New World
Another Marvel film in the Oscars list includes Captain America: Brave New World. Helmed by Julius Onah, the film explores how Captain America saves humanity from the wrath of Thaddeus Ross as he mutates into the Red Hulk.
The film's VFX is managed by Alessandro Ongaro, along with companies including OPSIS, Luma Pictures, Weta FX, UPP, Outpost VFX, Barnstorm VFX, and Digital Domain.
18) The Lost Bus
Helmed by Paul Greengrass, the film is set against the backdrop of the 2018 Camp Fire in California. It follows the plot of how a resilient bus driver and a committed school teacher protect schoolchildren and help them reach home safely amidst the crisis.
Charlie Noble serves as the VFX Supervisor of the film, in collaboration with companies including RISE, ILM, Cinesite, BeloFX, Mist, Outpost VFX, and Vitality.
19) Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron's upcoming epic sequel Avatar: Fire and Ash explores how Jake and Neytiri's community confronts a new, fierce group of Na'vi clan. The film releases on 19th December 2025.
The VFX of the film is led by Joe Letteri, with companies ILM and Weta FX.
20) Frankenstein
And finally, in the list of Oscar contenders, we have Guillermo del Toro's latest sci-fi gothic film. It explores the story of how a vain scientist's experimental creation causes catastrophic destruction around him.
Dennis Berardi is the VFX Supervisor of the film, with Pacific Rim, ILM, and Herne Hill/Mr. X is involved in the making of the visual effects.
Oscars 2026 Roadmap: All the important dates, revealed
The voting lines for shortlisting in the first round commence on December 8 (9 am PT) and conclude on December 12, 2025 (5 pm PT).
On December 16, 2025, the Oscars shall declare the official shortlist. From the beginning of next year, from January 10 to 11, 2026, the VFX bake-offs will take place. In this event, the selected films shall have a presentation that shall enable the voters to make their ultimate decision.
The last and final phase of the voting process shall take place from January 12 to 16, 2026. Ultimately, the Oscars 2026 are slated to be held next year, on March 15, 2026. It shall mark the 98th year of the prestigious award ceremony.
Trending
Stay tuned for more such stories at Soap Central!
Also read: All 5 Anime Films Eligible for 2026 Oscars, Explained
Love movies? Try our Box Office Game and Movie Grid Game to test your film knowledge and have some fun!
Reply
