The Academy Has Revealed the Shortlist for the 2026 Best Visual Effects Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially announced the shortlist for the Visual Effects category at the 98th Academy Awards. This year features a competitive mix of practical-heavy productions and completely immersive digital worlds that push the boundaries of technology. The Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee selected these ten films from a wide array of eligible releases. Members of the branch will now view exclusive excerpts and interviews to determine the final five nominees for the upcoming ceremony.

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (2025)

James Cameron returns to Pandora with a focus on the aggressive Ash People and volcanic biomes that demanded new simulation technologies. Wētā FX once again leads the visual charge by developing advanced fire interaction tools that work seamlessly with their established water systems. The film introduces complex new character designs that require high-fidelity performance capture to convey the intense emotional stakes. Critics have noted that the integration of digital characters into the harsh volcanic environments sets a new benchmark for photorealism in cinema.

‘The Electric State’ (2025)

Directors Anthony and Joe Russo bring Simon Stålenhag’s retro-futuristic graphic novel to life with a blend of practical sets and massive CGI constructs. The visual effects team was tasked with creating colossal battle drones and odd robotic companions that inhabit an alternate 1990s America. Much of the work focuses on the texture and weight of the robots to ensure they feel grounded in the dusty and decaying landscapes. This film balances nostalgic Americana with surreal technological elements to create a unique visual identity.

‘F1’ (2025)

Director Joseph Kosinski utilizes the same commitment to realism seen in his previous work by employing real race cars on actual tracks. The visual effects team worked primarily on invisible touches such as crowd replication and track safety modification to maintain the immersion of the high-speed races. They seamlessly blended the practical footage captured by IMAX cameras inside the cockpits with digital enhancements to amplify the sense of speed. The result is a visceral racing experience that blurs the line between stunt driving and digital augmentation.

‘Frankenstein’ (2025)

Guillermo del Toro offers a gothic interpretation of the classic Mary Shelley tale with his signature visual flair. The film combines elaborate practical makeup effects for the creature with subtle digital enhancements to allow for a broader range of expression. Visual effects artists also extended the period sets to create the grim and atmospheric European landscapes essential to the director’s vision. The collaboration between practical creature designers and digital artists results in a monster that feels both physically imposing and emotionally resonant.

‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ (2025)

Gareth Edwards takes the helm of the franchise and brings his background in grounded creature features to this dinosaur thriller. The visual effects team focused on integrating prehistoric beasts into varied equatorial environments with a documentary-style camera approach. New dinosaur species required fresh animation rigs that prioritize weight and animalistic behavior over stylized action. The film succeeds in making the interactions between humans and dinosaurs feel dangerous and immediate through lighting and composition.

‘The Lost Bus’ (2025)

Paul Greengrass directs this intense survival drama based on the devastating Camp Fire in Paradise, California. The visual effects department faced the challenge of recreating a massive wildfire that interacts realistically with the environment and vehicles. Smoke simulations and fire dynamics were meticulously crafted to mirror the chaotic and suffocating nature of a real inferno. The effects serve the narrative by creating a persistent and terrifying threat that surrounds the characters throughout their escape.

‘Sinners’ (2025)

Ryan Coogler reunites with Michael B. Jordan for this supernatural thriller set in the Jim Crow-era South. The visual effects work is crucial in establishing the period atmosphere while introducing terrifying vampiric elements that haunt the narrative. Artists balanced historical authenticity with stylized horror effects to depict the supernatural entities in a way that feels grounded in folklore. The film uses shadow and digital manipulation to build tension without relying solely on jump scares.

‘Superman’ (2025)

James Gunn launches a new cinematic universe with this bright and optimistic take on the Man of Steel. The visual effects team was responsible for modernizing the flight mechanics to give the hero a sense of weight and velocity absent in previous iterations. Metropolis is realized as a bustling futuristic city that serves as a distinct character alongside the cast. The film blends comic book aesthetics with realistic physics to create a superhero world that feels tangible and lived-in.

‘Tron: Ares’ (2025)

Joachim Rønning brings the digital grid into the real world in this third installment of the sci-fi franchise. The visual effects challenge involved translating the neon-soaked aesthetic of the computer world into the grittier texture of a modern city. Lightcycles and identity discs are rendered with new lighting techniques that allow them to interact with physical light sources and rain. This entry marks a significant visual departure by merging the clean lines of the digital realm with the imperfections of reality.

‘Wicked: For Good’ (2025)

The second chapter of the musical adaptation expands the magical scope with gravity-defying sequences and the grandeur of the Emerald City. Visual effects play a key role in bringing the flying monkeys and the Wizard’s mechanical illusions to the screen with theatrical flair. The team focused on particle effects for the magical spells to ensure they matched the emotional intensity of the musical numbers. This conclusion offers a spectacle of color and light that complements the dramatic resolution of the story.

Please share which of these visual effects contenders you think deserves to win the Oscar in the comments.