Best Visual Effects Finalists for the 92nd Academy Awards

The Academy announced the list of films under consideration in the Best Visual Effects category yesterday. There are plenty that you would expect to see here including the upcoming Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Avengers: Endgame, and Terminator: Dark Fate. There are a few surprises in the mix too.

Click below to see the full list.

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Ad Astra
The Brad Pitt film arrived at the beginning of awards season back in September, but it quickly got the attention of critics and fans alike. This is a strong contender for a VFX nomination.

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Aladdin
This one arrived in time for Memorial Day last May. I think this is one of Disney's weaker contenders for a nomination in this category.

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Avengers: Endgame
I feel like this is one of the sure things for a nomination. It will either end up being the only nomination this film gets, or one of a half dozen since it was the end of the saga.

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Cats
While this one doesn't hit theaters for another two weeks, it looks stunning based on the trailers. 

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Fast and the Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
Yes, we get it. They can't REALLY blow up all those cars, but I feel like this one is just more of the same. We need something new.

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Gemini Man
While it didn't get the publicity related to de-aging Will Smith like The Irishman did, it's still impressive. That said, making Smith look 20 years younger seems much easier than making De Niro look 40 years younger. Just sayin'.

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Jumanji: The Next Level
Releasing next week and there are sure to be plenty of visual effects moments as there were in the first one. I'm just not sure if it's enough to garner a nomination.

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Men in Black: International
​Not nearly as groundbreaking at the original from 20 years ago, so I doubt there will be a nomination here.

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1917
I REALLY hope this film gets nominated for this category. I have a special soft spot for "continuous shot" films even if they aren't TRULY continuous shots most of the time.

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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Almost every Star Wars film has been nominated in this category and I don't see that changing here. Just like Endgame's epic final battle, I anticipate a stunning display to finish off the Skywalker saga. It may just be the first time since the first Star Wars that the film takes home the prize as well.

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The Aeronauts
Releasing this weekend, this one looks like a bit a long shot for a VFX nomination. The field is too crowded for something like this to shine through.

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Alita: Battle Angel
I remember thinking this one looked stunning when it was released back in February. Look for this one to sneak in a VFX nomination this year.

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Captain Marvel
Unfortunately, I think Endgame will poach any nominations in this category from the other Marvel films. We may have to wait for Black Widow or Captain Marvel 2 before the Marvel girls get a VFX nomination.

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Dumbo
Coming out so early in the year probably hurts this one. The film was fun and the visuals were impressive, especially in giving homage to the original.

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Ford v Ferrari
While I think this is one film that may in fact deserve the nomination, I worry that it will get squeezed out by other films this year.

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The Irishman
It's going to get nominated for just about everything else it's eligible for, so why not a VFX nomination. The de-aging technology has gotten a lot of pub, so we will see if The Academy takes notice.

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The Lion King
This one looks fantastic, but I can't help feel like it truly belongs in the Best Animated Feature category. But then that film already came out 25 years ago.

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Midway
Pearl Harbor it's not, in many ways, but there is a chance that this film could get a VFX nomination. If it does, it may do so at the expense of 1917.

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Spider-Man: Far From Home
Much like Captain Marvel, I don't think this one will be able to sneak past Endgame and Rise of Skywalker, even with some cool visuals on display in the film.

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Terminator: Dark Fate
The film itself was a dud but there are certainly impressive effects. I wonder why they didn't use de-aging on Arnold to keep the terminator looking young.

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Final prediction...for now

Having to narrow this list of 20 films down to five nominees is tough. My list of five nominees as of this writing is:
Ad Astra
Alita: Battle Angel
Avengers: Endgame
The Lion King
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker