Academy Award given for the best achievement in visual effects
The Academy Award for Best Visual Effects is presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for the best achievement in visual effects . It has been handed to four members of the team directly responsible for creating the film's visual effects since 1980 .
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences first recognized the technical contributions of special effects to movies at its inaugural dinner in 1929, presenting a plaque for "Best Engineering Effects" to the first Best Picture Oscar winner, the World War I flying drama Wings
Producer David O. Selznick , then production head at RKO Studios , petitioned the Academy Board of Governors to recognize the work of animator Willis O'Brien for his groundbreaking work on 1933's King Kong [ 1] [ 2] [ 3]
It was not until 1938 when a film was actually recognized for its effects work, when a "Special Achievement Award for Special Effects " was given to the Paramount film Spawn of the North Best Special Effects " became a recognized category, although on occasion the Academy has chosen to honor a single film outright rather than nominate two or more films. From 1939 to 1963, it was an award for a film's visual effects as well as audio effects, so it was often given to two persons, although some years only one or the other type of effect was recognized. For the 22nd Academy Awards , RKO was nominated for the work done on Mighty Joe Young Willis H. O'Brien who went on stage to accept the statue.[ 4] Best Special Visual Effects ".
Honorees for this award have been bestowed several times as a Special Achievement Academy Award . In 1977, the category was given its current name "Best Visual Effects ." For decades, shortlisted finalists were selected by a steering committee. They are presently chosen by the visual effects branch executive committee.[ 5] Back to the Future Part III Dick Tracy Ghost Total Recall Total Recall received a requisite average and it was given a special achievement Oscar.[ 6]
There have been three wholly animated films nominated in this category: The Nightmare Before Christmas Kubo and the Two Strings The Lion King Mary Poppins Bedknobs and Broomsticks Who Framed Roger Rabbit [ 7] 2024 , Godzilla Minus One [ 8]
In 1979, there were five films nominated. For most of the next three decades, there were three nominees a year, although at some times there were two and at others, a single film was given the award outright.
In 2007, it was decided that a list of no more than 15 eligible films would be chosen, from which a maximum of seven would be shortlisted for further consideration. A vote would then proceed, with a maximum of three nominees. Since 2010, there are ten shortlisted finalists which, using a form of range voting , produce five nominees.[ 9] [ 10]
According to the official Academy Award rules , the criteria are:
(a) consideration of the contribution the visual effects make to the overall production and(b) the artistry, skill and fidelity with which the visual illusions are achieved.
A number of filmmakers have had their movies honored for their achievements in visual effects; i.e., six by director James Cameron (who began his career in Hollywood as an effects technician), five films produced by George Pal , five by director/producer George Lucas , four by directors Richard Fleischer , Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson , three by directors Robert Zemeckis and Christopher Nolan , and two by directors Clarence Brown , Cecil B. DeMille , Mark Robson , Ridley Scott , Robert Stevenson and Denis Villeneuve .
Only two directors have won in the same category: Four time Best Director nominee Stanley Kubrick 's only Oscar win for 1968's 2001: A Space Odyssey Takashi Yamazaki 's first Oscar win for 2023's Godzilla Minus One [ 8] [ 11] 2001 list four effects contributors, including Douglas Trumbull . However, according to the rules of the Academy in effect at the time, only three persons could be nominated for their work on a single film, which would have resulted in the omission of either Trumbull, Tom Howard , Con Pederson or Wally Veevers. Ultimately, it was Kubrick's name that was submitted as a nominee in this category, resulting in his winning the award, which many consider a slight to the four men whose work contributed to the film's success.[ 12]
Engineering Effects Award [ edit ] The table below display the Oscar nominees for Best Engineering Effects.
indicates competitive winner
indicates non-competitive winner
Special Effects Awards [ edit ] The tables below display the Oscar nominees for Best Special Effects including the recipients of the Special Achievement Awards.
Year
Film
Nominees
1940 (13th) The Thief of Bagdad Lawrence Butler (photographic) ; Jack Whitney (sound)
The Blue Bird Fred Sersen (photographic) ; E. H. Hansen (sound)
Boom Town A. Arnold Gillespie (photographic) ; Douglas Shearer (sound)
The Boys from Syracuse John P. Fulton (photographic) ; Bernard B. Brown and Joseph Lapis (sound)
Dr. Cyclops Gordon Jennings and Farciot Edouart (photographic)
Foreign Correspondent Paul Eagler (photographic) ; Thomas T. Moulton (sound)
The Invisible Man Returns John P. Fulton (photographic) ; Bernard B. Brown and William Hedgcock (sound)
The Long Voyage Home R. T. Layton and R. O. Binger (photographic) ; Thomas T. Moulton (sound)
One Million B.C. Roy Seawright (photographic) ; Elmer Raguse (sound)
Rebecca Jack Cosgrove (photographic) ; Arthur Johns (sound)
The Sea Hawk Byron Haskin (photographic) ; Nathan Levinson (sound)
Swiss Family Robinson Vernon L. Walker (photographic) ; John O. Aalberg (sound)
Typhoon Farciot Edouart and Gordon Jennings (photographic) ; Loren Ryder (sound)
Women in War Howard J. Lydecker , William Bradford , and Ellis J. Thackery (photographic) ; Herbert Norsch (sound)
1941 (14th) I Wanted Wings Farciot Edouart and Gordon Jennings (photographic) ; Louis Mesenkop (sound)
Aloma of the South Seas Farciot Edouart and Gordon Jennings (photographic) ; Louis Mesenkop (sound)
Dive Bomber [ note 5] [ 13] Byron Haskin (photographic) ; Nathan Levinson (sound)
Flight Command A. Arnold Gillespie (photographic) ; Douglas Shearer (sound)
The Invisible Woman John Fulton (photographic) ; John Hall (sound)
The Sea Wolf Byron Haskin (photographic) ; Nathan Levinson (sound)
That Hamilton Woman Lawrence Butler (photographic) ; William H. Wilmarth (sound)
Topper Returns Roy Seawright (photographic) ; Elmer Raguse (sound)
A Yank in the R.A.F. Fred Sersen (photographic) ; E. H. Hansen (sound)
1942 (15th) Reap the Wild Wind Gordon Jennings , Farciot Edouart , and William Pereira (photographic) ; Louis Mesenkop (sound)
The Black Swan Fred Sersen (photographic) ; Roger Heman and George Leverett (sound)
Desperate Journey Byron Haskin (photographic) ; Nathan Levinson (sound)
Flying Tigers Howard Lydecker (photographic) ; Daniel J. Bloomberg (sound)
Invisible Agent John Fulton (photographic) ; Bernard B. Brown (sound)
Jungle Book Lawrence Butler (photographic) ; William H. Wilmarth (sound)
Mrs. Miniver A. Arnold Gillespie and Warren Newcombe (photographic) ; Douglas Shearer (sound)
The Navy Comes Through Vernon L. Walker (photographic) ; James G. Stewart (sound)
One of Our Aircraft Is Missing Ronald Neame (photographic) ; C. C. Stevens (sound)
The Pride of the Yankees Jack Cosgrove and Ray Binger (photographic) ; Thomas T. Moulton (sound)
1943 (16th) Crash Dive Fred Sersen (photographic) ; Roger Heman (sound)
Air Force Hans Koenekamp and Rex Wimpy (photographic) ; Nathan Levinson (sound)
Bombardier Vernon L. Walker (photographic) ; James G. Stewart and Roy Granville (sound)
The North Star Clarence Slifer and R. O. Binger (photographic) ; Thomas T. Moulton (sound)
So Proudly We Hail! Gordon Jennings and Farciot Edouart (photographic) ; George Dutton (sound)
Stand By for Action A. Arnold Gillespie and Donald Jahraus (photographic) ; Michael Steinore (sound)
1944 (17th) Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo A. Arnold Gillespie , Donald Jahraus , and Warren Newcombe (photographic) ; Douglas Shearer (sound)
The Adventures of Mark Twain Paul Detlefsen and John Crouse (photographic) ; Nathan Levinson (sound)
Days of Glory Vernon L. Walker (photographic) ; James G. Stewart and Roy Granville (sound)
Secret Command David Allen , Ray Cory , and Robert Wright (photographic) ; Russell Malmgren and Harry Kusnick (sound)
Since You Went Away Jack Cosgrove (photographic) ; Arthur Johns (sound)
The Story of Dr. Wassell Farciot Edouart and Gordon Jennings (photographic) ; George Dutton (sound)
Wilson Fred Sersen (photographic) ; Roger Heman (sound)
1945 (18th) Wonder Man John P. Fulton (photographic) ; Arthur Johns (sound)
Captain Eddie Fred Sersen and Sol Halperin (photographic) ; Roger Heman and Harry Leonard (sound)
Spellbound Jack Cosgrove (photographic)
They Were Expendable A. Arnold Gillespie , Donald Jahraus , and Robert A. MacDonald (photographic) ; Michael Steinore (sound)
A Thousand and One Nights Lawrence W. Butler (photographic) ; Ray Bomba (sound)
1946 (19th) Blithe Spirit Thomas Howard (visual)
A Stolen Life William McGann (visual) ; Nathan Levinson (audible)
1947 (20th) Green Dolphin Street A. Arnold Gillespie and Warren Newcombe (visual) ; Douglas Shearer and Michael Steinore (audible)
Unconquered Farciot Edouart , Devereux Jennings , Gordon Jennings , W. Wallace Kelley , and Paul Lerpae (visual) ; George Dutton (audible)
1948 (21st) Portrait of Jennie Paul Eagler , Joseph McMillan Johnson , Russell Shearman , and Clarence Slifer (visual) ; Charles Freeman , and James G. Stewart (audible)
Deep Waters Ralph Hammeras , Fred Sersen , and Edward Snyder (visual) ; Roger Heman (audible)
1949 (22nd) Mighty Joe Young RKO Productions
Tulsa Walter Wanger Pictures
Visual Effects Awards [ edit ] The tables below display the Oscar nominees for Best Visual Effects including the recipients of the Special Achievement Awards.
Year
Film
Nominees
1970 (43rd) Tora! Tora! Tora! A. D. Flowers and L. B. Abbott
Patton Alex Weldon
1971 (44th) Bedknobs and Broomsticks Alan Maley , Eustace Lycett , and Danny Lee
When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth Jim Danforth and Roger Dicken
1972 (45th) The Poseidon Adventure [ note 3] L. B. Abbott and A. D. Flowers
1974 (47th) Earthquake [ note 3] Frank Brendel , Glen Robinson , and Albert Whitlock
1975 (48th) The Hindenburg [ note 3] Albert Whitlock and Glen Robinson
1976 (49th) King Kong [ note 3] Carlo Rambaldi , Glen Robinson , and Frank Van der Veer
Logan's Run [ note 3] L. B. Abbott , Glen Robinson , and Matthew Yuricich
1977 (50th) Star Wars John Stears , John Dykstra , Richard Edlund , Grant McCune , and Robert Blalack
Close Encounters of the Third Kind Roy Arbogast , Douglas Trumbull , Matthew Yuricich , Greg Jein , and Richard Yuricich
1978 (51st) Superman [ note 3] Les Bowie , Colin Chilvers , Denys Coop , Roy Field , Derek Meddings , and Zoran Perisic
1979 (52nd) Alien H. R. Giger , Carlo Rambaldi , Brian Johnson , Nick Allder , and Dennis Ayling
1941 William A. Fraker , A. D. Flowers , and Greg Jein
The Black Hole Peter Ellenshaw , Art Cruickshank , Eustace Lycett , Danny Lee , Harrison Ellenshaw , and Joe Hale
Moonraker Derek Meddings , Paul Wilson, and John Evans
Star Trek: The Motion Picture Douglas Trumbull , John Dykstra , Richard Yuricich , Robert Swarthe , David K. Stewart , and Grant McCune
Year
Film
Nominees
1980 (53rd) The Empire Strikes Back [ note 3] Brian Johnson , Richard Edlund , Dennis Muren , and Bruce Nicholson
1981 (54th)
Raiders of the Lost Ark Richard Edlund , Kit West , Bruce Nicholson , and Joe Johnston
Dragonslayer Dennis Muren , Phil Tippett , Ken Ralston , and Brian Johnson
1982 (55th)
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Carlo Rambaldi , Dennis Muren , and Kenneth F. Smith
Blade Runner Douglas Trumbull , Richard Yuricich , and David Dryer
Poltergeist Richard Edlund , Michael Wood , and Bruce Nicholson
1983 (56th)
Return of the Jedi [ note 3] Richard Edlund , Dennis Muren , Ken Ralston , and Phil Tippett
1984 (57th)
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Dennis Muren , Michael J. McAlister , Lorne Peterson , and George Gibbs
2010 Richard Edlund , Neil Krepela , George Jenson , and Mark Stetson
Ghostbusters Richard Edlund , John Bruno , Mark Vargo , and Chuck Gaspar
1985 (58th)
Cocoon Ken Ralston , Ralph McQuarrie , Scott Farrar , and David Berry
Return to Oz Will Vinton , Ian Wingrove , Zoran Perisic , and Michael Lloyd
Young Sherlock Holmes Dennis Muren , Kit West , John R. Ellis , and David W. Allen
1986 (59th)
Aliens Robert Skotak , Stan Winston , John Richardson , and Suzanne M. Benson
Little Shop of Horrors Lyle Conway, Bran Ferren , and Martin Gutterridge
Poltergeist II: The Other Side Richard Edlund , John Bruno , Garry Waller , and Bill Neil
1987 (60th)
Innerspace Dennis Muren , William George , Harley Jessup , and Kenneth F. Smith
Predator Joel Hynek , Robert M. Greenberg, Richard Greenberg , and Stan Winston
1988 (61st)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit Ken Ralston , Richard Williams , Edward Jones , and George Gibbs
Die Hard Richard Edlund , Al DiSarro , Brent Boates , and Thaine Morris
Willow Dennis Muren , Michael J. McAlister , Phil Tippett , and Chris Evans
1989 (62nd)
The Abyss John Bruno , Dennis Muren , Hoyt Yeatman , and Dennis Skotak
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen Richard Conway and Kent Houston
Back to the Future Part II Ken Ralston , Michael Lantieri , John Bell , and Steve Gawley
Year
Film
Nominees
1990 (63rd) Total Recall [ note 3] Eric Brevig , Rob Bottin , Tim McGovern , and Alex Funke
1991 (64th)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day Dennis Muren , Stan Winston , Gene Warren Jr. , and Robert Skotak
Backdraft Mikael Salomon , Allen Hall , Clay Pinney , and Scott Farrar
Hook Eric Brevig , Harley Jessup , Mark Sullivan , and Michael Lantieri
1992 (65th)
Death Becomes Her Ken Ralston , Doug Chiang , Douglas Smythe , and Tom Woodruff Jr.
Alien 3 Richard Edlund , Alec Gillis, Tom Woodruff Jr. , and George Gibbs
Batman Returns Michael L. Fink , Craig Barron , John Bruno , and Dennis Skotak
1993 (66th)
Jurassic Park Dennis Muren , Stan Winston , Phil Tippett , and Michael Lantieri
Cliffhanger Neil Krepela , John Richardson , John Bruno , and Pamela Easley
The Nightmare Before Christmas Pete Kozachik, Eric Leighton, Ariel Velasco Shaw, and Gordon Baker
1994 (67th)
Forrest Gump Ken Ralston , George Murphy , Stephen Rosenbaum , and Allen Hall
The Mask Scott Squires , Steve 'Spaz' Williams , Tom Bertino , and Jon Farhat
True Lies John Bruno , Thomas L. Fisher , Jacques Stroweis , and Patrick McClung
1995 (68th)
Babe Scott E. Anderson , Charles Gibson , Neal Scanlan , and John Cox
Apollo 13 Robert Legato , Michael Kanfer , Leslie Ekker , and Matt Sweeney
1996 (69th)
Independence Day Volker Engel , Douglas Smith , Clay Pinney , and Joseph Viskocil
Dragonheart Scott Squires , Phil Tippett , James Straus , and Kit West
Twister Stefen Fangmeier , John Frazier , Habib Zargarpour , and Henry La Bounta
1997 (70th)
Titanic Robert Legato , Mark Lasoff , Thomas L. Fisher , and Michael Kanfer
The Lost World: Jurassic Park Dennis Muren , Stan Winston , Randal M. Dutra , and Michael Lantieri
Starship Troopers Phil Tippett , Scott E. Anderson , Alec Gillis, and John Richardson
1998 (71st)
What Dreams May Come Joel Hynek , Nicholas Brooks , Stuart Robertson , and Kevin Mack
Armageddon Richard R. Hoover , Patrick McClung , and John Frazier
Mighty Joe Young Rick Baker , Hoyt Yeatman , Allen Hall , and Jim Mitchell
1999 (72nd)
The Matrix John Gaeta , Janek Sirrs , Steve Courtley , and Jon Thum
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace John Knoll , Dennis Muren , Scott Squires , and Rob Coleman
Stuart Little John Dykstra , Jerome Chen , Henry F. Anderson III, and Eric Allard
Year
Film
Nominees
2000 (73rd) Gladiator John Nelson , Neil Corbould , Tim Burke , and Rob Harvey
Hollow Man Scott E. Anderson , Craig Hayes , Scott Stokdyk , and Stan Parks
The Perfect Storm Stefen Fangmeier , Habib Zargarpour , John Frazier , and Walt Conti
2001 (74th)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Jim Rygiel , Randall William Cook , Richard Taylor , and Mark Stetson
A.I. Artificial Intelligence Dennis Muren , Scott Farrar , Stan Winston , and Michael Lantieri
Pearl Harbor Eric Brevig , John Frazier , Ed Hirsh , and Ben Snow
2002 (75th)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Jim Rygiel , Joe Letteri , Randall William Cook , and Alex Funke
Spider-Man John Dykstra , Scott Stokdyk , Anthony LaMolinara , and John Frazier
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones Rob Coleman , Pablo Helman , John Knoll , and Ben Snow
2003 (76th)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Jim Rygiel , Joe Letteri , Randall William Cook , and Alex Funke
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Dan Sudick , Stefen Fangmeier , Nathan McGuinness , and Robert Stromberg
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl John Knoll , Hal Hickel , Charles Gibson , and Terry Frazee
2004 (77th)
Spider-Man 2 John Dykstra , Scott Stokdyk , Anthony LaMolinara , and John Frazier
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Roger Guyett , Tim Burke , John Richardson , and William George
I, Robot John Nelson , Andrew R. Jones , Erik Nash , and Joe Letteri
2005 (78th)
King Kong Joe Letteri , Brian Van't Hul , Christian Rivers , and Richard Taylor
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Dean Wright , Bill Westenhofer , Jim Berney , and Scott Farrar
War of the Worlds Dennis Muren , Pablo Helman , Randal M. Dutra , and Dan Sudick
2006 (79th)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest John Knoll , Hal Hickel , Charles Gibson , and Allen Hall
Poseidon Boyd Shermis, Kim Libreri, Chas Jarrett, and John Frazier
Superman Returns Mark Stetson , Neil Corbould , Richard R. Hoover , and Jon Thum
2007 (80th)
The Golden Compass Michael L. Fink , Bill Westenhofer , Ben Morris , and Trevor Wood
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End John Knoll , Hal Hickel , Charles Gibson , and John Frazier
Transformers Scott Farrar , Scott Benza , Russell Earl , and John Frazier
2008 (81st)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Eric Barba , Steve Preeg , Burt Dalton , and Craig Barron
The Dark Knight Nick Davis , Chris Corbould , Tim Webber , and Paul Franklin
Iron Man John Nelson , Ben Snow , Dan Sudick , and Shane Mahan
2009 (82nd)
Avatar Joe Letteri , Stephen Rosenbaum , Richard Baneham , and Andrew R. Jones
District 9 Dan Kaufman , Peter Muyzers , Robert Habros , and Matt Aitken
Star Trek Roger Guyett , Russell Earl , Paul Kavanagh , and Burt Dalton
Year
Film
Nominees
2010 (83rd) Inception Paul Franklin , Chris Corbould , Andrew Lockley , and Peter Bebb
Alice in Wonderland Ken Ralston , David Schaub , Carey Villegas , and Sean Phillips
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Tim Burke , John Richardson , Christian Manz , and Nicolas Aithadi
Hereafter Michael Owens , Bryan Grill , Stephan Trojansky , and Joe Farrell
Iron Man 2 Janek Sirrs , Ben Snow , Ged Wright , and Dan Sudick
2011 (84th)
Hugo Robert Legato , Joss Williams , Ben Grossmann , and Alex Henning
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Tim Burke , David Vickery , Greg Butler , and John Richardson
Real Steel Erik Nash , John Rosengrant , Dan Taylor , and Swen Gillberg
Rise of the Planet of the Apes Joe Letteri , Dan Lemmon , R. Christopher White , and Daniel Barrett
Transformers: Dark of the Moon Scott Farrar , Scott Benza , Matthew E. Butler , and John Frazier
2012 (85th)
Life of Pi Bill Westenhofer , Guillaume Rocheron , Erik-Jan de Boer , and Donald R. Elliott
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Joe Letteri , Eric Saindon , David Clayton , and R. Christopher White
Marvel's The Avengers Janek Sirrs , Jeff White , Guy Williams , and Dan Sudick
Prometheus Richard Stammers , Trevor Wood , Charley Henley , and Martin Hill
Snow White and the Huntsman Cedric Nicolas-Troyan , Philip Brennan, Neil Corbould , and Michael Dawson
2013 (86th)
Gravity Tim Webber , Chris Lawrence , Dave Shirk , and Neil Corbould
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Joe Letteri , Eric Saindon , David Clayton , and Eric Reynolds
Iron Man 3 Christopher Townsend , Guy Williams , Erik Nash , and Dan Sudick
The Lone Ranger Tim Alexander , Gary Brozenich , Edson Williams , and John Frazier
Star Trek Into Darkness Roger Guyett , Patrick Tubach , Ben Grossmann , and Burt Dalton
2014 (87th)
Interstellar Paul Franklin , Andrew Lockley , Ian Hunter , and Scott R. Fisher
Captain America: The Winter Soldier Dan DeLeeuw , Russell Earl , Bryan Grill , and Dan Sudick
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Joe Letteri , Dan Lemmon , Daniel Barrett , and Erik Winquist
Guardians of the Galaxy Stéphane Ceretti , Nicolas Aithadi , Jonathan Fawkner , and Paul Corbould
X-Men: Days of Future Past Richard Stammers , Lou Pecora , Tim Crosbie , and Cameron Waldbauer
2015 (88th)
Ex Machina Mark Williams Ardington , Sara Bennett , Paul Norris , and Andrew Whitehurst
Mad Max: Fury Road Andrew Jackson , Dan Oliver , Andy Williams , and Tom Wood
The Martian Anders Langlands , Chris Lawrence , Richard Stammers , and Steven Warner
The Revenant Richard McBride , Matt Shumway , Jason Smith , and Cameron Waldbauer
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Chris Corbould , Roger Guyett , Patrick Tubach , and Neal Scanlan
2016 (89th) [ 14]
The Jungle Book Robert Legato , Adam Valdez , Andrew R. Jones , and Dan Lemmon
Deepwater Horizon Craig Hammack , Jason Snell , Jason Billington , and Burt Dalton
Doctor Strange Stéphane Ceretti , Richard Bluff , Vincent Cirelli , and Paul Corbould
Kubo and the Two Strings Steve Emerson , Oliver Jones , Brian McLean , and Brad Schiff
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story John Knoll , Mohen Leo , Hal Hickel , and Neil Corbould
2017 (90th) [ 15]
Blade Runner 2049 John Nelson , Gerd Nefzer , Paul Lambert , and Richard R. Hoover
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Christopher Townsend , Guy Williams , Jonathan Fawkner , and Dan Sudick
Kong: Skull Island Stephen Rosenbaum , Jeff White , Scott Benza , and Mike Meinardus
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Ben Morris , Mike Mulholland , Neal Scanlan , and Chris Corbould
War for the Planet of the Apes Joe Letteri , Daniel Barrett , Dan Lemmon , and Joel Whist
2018 (91st)
First Man Paul Lambert , Ian Hunter , Tristan Myles , and J. D. Schwalm
Avengers: Infinity War Dan DeLeeuw , Kelly Port , Russell Earl , and Dan Sudick
Christopher Robin Chris Lawrence , Mike Eames , Theo Jones, and Chris Corbould
Ready Player One Roger Guyett , Grady Cofer , Matthew E. Butler , and David Shirk
Solo: A Star Wars Story Rob Bredow , Patrick Tubach , Neal Scanlan , and Dominic Tuohy
2019 (92nd)
1917 Guillaume Rocheron , Greg Butler , and Dominic Tuohy
Avengers: Endgame Dan DeLeeuw , Russell Earl , Matt Aitken , and Dan Sudick
The Irishman Pablo Helman , Leandro Estebecorena , Nelson Sepulveda-Fauser, and Stephane Grabli
The Lion King Robert Legato , Adam Valdez , Andrew R. Jones , and Elliot Newman
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Roger Guyett , Neal Scanlan , Patrick Tubach , and Dominic Tuohy
Year
Film
Nominees
2020 (93rd)
Tenet Andrew Jackson , David Lee , Andrew Lockley , and Scott Fisher
Love and Monsters Matt Sloan , Genevieve Camilleri , Matt Everitt , and Brian Cox
The Midnight Sky Matt Kasmir , Chris Lawrence , Max Solomon , and David Watkins
Mulan Sean Andrew Faden , Anders Langlands , Seth Maury , and Steve Ingram
The One and Only Ivan Nick Davis , Greg Fisher, Ben Jones, and Santiago Colomo Martínez
2021 (94th)
Dune Paul Lambert , Tristan Myles , Brian Connor , and Gerd Nefzer
Free Guy Swen Gillberg , Bryan Grill , Nikos Kalaitzidis , and Dan Sudick
No Time to Die Charlie Noble , Joel Green , Jonathan Fawkner , and Chris Corbould
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Christopher Townsend , Joe Farrell , Sean Noel Walker , and Dan Oliver
Spider-Man: No Way Home Kelly Port , Chris Waegner , Scott Edelstein , and Dan Sudick
2022 (95th)
Avatar: The Way of Water Joe Letteri , Richard Baneham , Eric Saindon , and Daniel Barrett
All Quiet on the Western Front Frank Petzold , Viktor Müller , Markus Frank, and Kamil Jafar
The Batman Dan Lemmon , Russell Earl , Anders Langlands , and Dominic Tuohy
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Geoffrey Baumann , Craig Hammack , R. Christopher White , and Dan Sudick
Top Gun: Maverick Ryan Tudhope , Seth Hill , Bryan Litson , and Scott R. Fisher
2023 (96th)
Godzilla Minus One Takashi Yamazaki , Kiyoko Shibuya , Masaki Takahashi , and Tatsuji Nojima
The Creator Jay Cooper , Ian Comley , Andrew Roberts and Neil Corbould
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Stéphane Ceretti , Alexis Wajsbrot , Guy Williams and Theo Bialek
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Alex Wuttke , Simone Coco , Jeff Sutherland and Neil Corbould
Napoleon Charley Henley , Luc-Ewen Martin-Fenouillet , Simone Coco and Neil Corbould
Shortlisted finalists [ edit ] Finalists for Best Visual Effects are selected by the Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee. Beginning with a long list of up to 20 titles, the committee then advances ten films to the shortlist.[ 16] 83rd Academy Awards , only fifteen films were long-listed, and only seven films were shortlisted.[ 17]
Year
Finalists
Ref
1984
Dune Gremlins The Last Starfighter Star Trek III: The Search for Spock [ 18]
1993
Addams Family Values Alive Hocus Pocus Super Mario Bros. [ 19]
1994
The Hudsucker Proxy Interview with the Vampire The Lion King Speed [ 20]
1995
Batman Forever Casper Jumanji The Indian in the Cupboard Waterworld [ 21]
1996
Mars Attacks! Mission: Impossible The Nutty Professor Star Trek: First Contact [ 22]
1997
Batman & Robin Contact The Fifth Element Men in Black [ 23]
1998
Babe: Pig in the City Godzilla Small Soldiers The Truman Show [ 24]
1999
The Mummy Sleepy Hollow Wild Wild West The World Is Not Enough [ 25]
2000
Cast Away Dinosaur How the Grinch Stole Christmas X-Men [ 26]
2001
Black Hawk Down Cats & Dogs The Fast and the Furious Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Jurassic Park III [ note 7] [ 27]
2002
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Minority Report Men in Black II xXx [ 28]
2003
Hulk Peter Pan Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines X2: X-Men United [ 29]
2004
The Aviator The Day After Tomorrow Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow [ 30]
2005
Batman Begins Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith [ 31]
2006
Casino Royale Eragon Night at the Museum X-Men: The Last Stand [ 32]
2007
The Bourne Ultimatum Evan Almighty I Am Legend 300 [ 33]
2008
Australia Hellboy II: The Golden Army Journey to the Center of the Earth The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor [ 34]
2009
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Terminator Salvation Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen 2012 [ 35]
2010
[ 17]
2011
[ 36] [ 37]
2012
The Amazing Spider-Man Cloud Atlas The Dark Knight Rises John Carter Skyfall [ 38]
2013
Elysium Oblivion Pacific Rim Thor: The Dark World World War Z [ 39]
2014
Godzilla The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Maleficent Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Transformers: Age of Extinction [ 40]
2015
[ 41] [ 42]
2016
[ 43] [ 44]
2017
[ 45] [ 46]
2018
[ 47] [ 48]
2019
[ 49] [ 50]
2020
Birds of Prey Bloodshot Mank Soul Welcome to Chechnya [ 51]
2021
Black Widow Eternals Ghostbusters: Afterlife Godzilla vs. Kong The Matrix Resurrections [ 52]
2022
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness , Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore Jurassic World Dominion Nope Thirteen Lives [ 53]
2023
First Round: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Barbie The Boys in the Boat Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Killers of the Flower Moon The Marvels Nyad Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Wonka Second Round: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Poor Things Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire Society of the Snow Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
[ 54] [ 55]
Artists with multiple awards [ edit ]
9 awards 5 awards 4 awards 3 awards
2 awards
Artists with multiple nominations [ edit ]
15 nominations 13 nominations 12 nominations 11 nominations 10 nominations 8 nominations 7 nominations 6 nominations
5 nominations 4 nominations
3 nominations
2 nominations
Multiple nominations [ edit ]
14 Nominations 10 Nominations 5 Nominations 4 Nominations
3 Nominations
2 Nominations
For this Academy Award category, the following superlatives emerge:[ 56]
^ The nomination for Ralph Hammeras was not associated with any individual film.
^ According to the Academy's in-house records, the nomination for Nugent Slaughter was most often connected with The Jazz Singer
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m This was presented as a Special Achievement Award , not as a competitive Academy Award of Merit .
^ From 1939 until 1962, visual effects and sound effects artists competed in a combined Best Special Effects category.
^ When nominations were announced on February 9, 1942, Dive Bomber The Sea Wolf Warner Bros. productions with photographic effects by Byron Haskin and sound effects by Nathan Levinson . By February 19, the Dive Bomber nomination was replaced with The Sea Wolf . The reason for the substitution is unknown.
^ In 1957, The Enemy Below Walter Rossi . It was not cited for its visual effects.
^ A tie resulted in eight finalists.
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1963–1980
Emil Kosa Jr. – Cleopatra Peter Ellenshaw , Eustace Lycett , and Hamilton Luske – Mary Poppins John Stears – Thunderball Art Cruickshank – Fantastic Voyage L. B. Abbott – Doctor Dolittle Stanley Kubrick – 2001: A Space Odyssey Robie Robertson – Marooned A. D. Flowers and L. B. Abbott – Tora! Tora! Tora! Alan Maley , Eustace Lycett , and Danny Lee – Bedknobs and Broomsticks L. B. Abbott and A. D. Flowers – The Poseidon Adventure Frank Brendel , Glen Robinson , and Albert Whitlock – Earthquake Albert Whitlock and Glen Robinson – The Hindenburg Carlo Rambaldi , Glen Robinson , and Frank Van der Veer – King Kong John Stears , John Dykstra , Richard Edlund , Grant McCune , and Robert Blalack – Star Wars Les Bowie , Colin Chilvers , Denys Coop , Roy Field , Derek Meddings , and Zoran Perisic – Superman H. R. Giger , Carlo Rambaldi , Brian Johnson , Nick Allder , and Dennis Ayling – Alien Brian Johnson , Richard Edlund , Dennis Muren , and Bruce Nicholson – The Empire Strikes Back 1981–2000
Richard Edlund , Kit West , Bruce Nicholson , and Joe Johnston – Raiders of the Lost Ark Carlo Rambaldi , Dennis Muren , and Kenneth F. Smith – E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Richard Edlund , Dennis Muren , Ken Ralston , and Phil Tippett – Return of the Jedi Dennis Muren , Michael J. McAlister , Lorne Peterson , and George Gibbs – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Ken Ralston , Ralph McQuarrie , Scott Farrar , and David Berry – Cocoon Robert Skotak , Stan Winston , John Richardson , and Suzanne M. Benson – Aliens Dennis Muren , Bill George , Harley Jessup , and Kenneth F. Smith - Innerspace Ken Ralston , Richard Williams , Edward Jones , and George Gibbs – Who Framed Roger Rabbit John Bruno , Dennis Muren , Hoyt Yeatman , and Dennis Skotak – The Abyss Eric Brevig , Rob Bottin , Tim McGovern , and Alex Funke – Total Recall Dennis Muren , Stan Winston , Gene Warren Jr. , and Robert Skotak – Terminator 2: Judgment Day Ken Ralston , Doug Chiang , Douglas Smythe , and Tom Woodruff Jr. – Death Becomes Her Dennis Muren , Stan Winston , Phil Tippett , and Michael Lantieri – Jurassic Park Ken Ralston , George Murphy , Stephen Rosenbaum , and Allen Hall – Forrest Gump Scott E. Anderson , Charles Gibson , Neal Scanlan , and John Cox – Babe Volker Engel , Douglas Smith , Clay Pinney , and Joe Viskocil – Independence Day Robert Legato , Mark Lasoff , Thomas L. Fisher , and Michael Kanfer – Titanic Joel Hynek , Nicholas Brooks , Stuart Robertson , and Kevin Mack – What Dreams May Come John Gaeta , Janek Sirrs , Steve Courtley , and Jon Thum – The Matrix John Nelson , Neil Corbould , Tim Burke , and Rob Harvey – Gladiator 2001–2020
Jim Rygiel , Randall William Cook , Richard Taylor , and Mark Stetson – The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Jim Rygiel , Joe Letteri , Randall William Cook , and Alex Funke – The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Jim Rygiel , Joe Letteri , Randall William Cook , and Alex Funke – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King John Dykstra , Scott Stokdyk , Anthony LaMolinara , and John Frazier – Spider-Man 2 Joe Letteri , Brian Van't Hul , Christian Rivers , and Richard Taylor – King Kong John Knoll , Hal Hickel , Charles Gibson , and Allen Hall – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Michael L. Fink , Bill Westenhofer , Ben Morris , and Trevor Wood – The Golden Compass Eric Barba , Steve Preeg , Burt Dalton , and Craig Barron – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Joe Letteri , Stephen Rosenbaum , Richard Baneham , and Andrew R. Jones – Avatar Paul Franklin , Chris Corbould , Andrew Lockley , and Peter Bebb – Inception Robert Legato , Joss Williams , Ben Grossmann , and Alex Henning – Hugo Bill Westenhofer , Guillaume Rocheron , Erik-Jan de Boer , and Donald R. Elliott – Life of Pi Tim Webber , Chris Lawrence , Dave Shirk , and Neil Corbould – Gravity Paul Franklin , Andrew Lockley , Ian Hunter , and Scott R. Fisher – Interstellar Mark Williams Ardington , Sara Bennett , Paul Norris , and Andrew Whitehurst – Ex Machina Robert Legato , Adam Valdez , Andrew R. Jones , and Dan Lemmon – The Jungle Book John Nelson , Gerd Nefzer , Paul Lambert , and Richard R. Hoover – Blade Runner 2049 Paul Lambert , Ian Hunter , Tristan Myles , and J. D. Schwalm – First Man Guillaume Rocheron , Greg Butler , and Dominic Tuohy – 1917 Andrew Jackson , David Lee , Andrew Lockley , and Scott R. Fisher – Tenet 2021–present
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