We now know which films, specifically, are in the running for the Best Visual Effects Oscar this year. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that 20 films will advance in the race for the visual effects trophy, offering up a shortlist that is chock full of blockbusters. Indeed, while the big superhero movies are where you’d most expect to find the Best Visual Effects contenders, the reality is that almost every film released nowadays has some degree of visual effects regardless of genre.Robert Zemeckis’ World War II romanceAllied, for example, was shot mostly on soundstages where Zemeckis utilized visual effects wizardry to bring WWII-era London to life. Alas, flashy is what gets you Oscars, andAlliedfailed to make it to the shortlist stage—although somewhat puzzlingly, the gorgeously colorful work inGhostbustersdidn’t advance either.
All six of this year’s superhero films made the cut, includingBatman v SupermanandDeadpool, as did the upcoming sci-fi romancePassengers. Likely to be a serious player isRogue One: A Star Wars Story, which also made the cut, as well as theHarry PotterprequelFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. And in terms of low-key features or non-blockbusters, theClint EastwooddramaSullymade the shortlist thanks to a pretty thrilling crash sequence, as didDenis Villeneuve’s critically acclaimed sci-fi filmArrivaland thePeter Berg-helmed disaster dramaDeepwater Horizon. An animated feature even made the shortlist—LAIKA’s stop-motionKubo and the Two Stringsis under consideration.
So what’s the frontrunner? Which films are the most likely to be nominated? It’s hard to argue against the visual effects wizardry on display inThe Jungle Book, which I feel could even qualify as an animated feature given how few live-action elements made it into the finished film. That’s the one to beat, but I wouldn’t be surprised to seeRogue One,Fantastic Beasts,Warcraft, and possiblyDoctor Strangemake the full list of Oscar nominees.
The next step in the process will be a “bakeoff” where the VFX artists behind each film present a sizzle reel to members of the Academy’s Visual Effects branch, after which those Academy members will vote to result in the final list of nominees.
Take a look at the shortlist below, and let us know whoyouthink should be nominated in the comments.
Alice Through the Looking Glass
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Captain America: Civil War
Deepwater Horizon
Doctor Strange
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Independence Day: Resurgence
The Jungle Book
Kubo and the Two Strings
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Passengers
Star Trek Beyond
Suicide Squad
X-Men: Apocalypse
