The race for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects has narrowed to 20 finalists, with multiple sources confirming the lineup to Variety. The list features a mix of anticipated blockbusters and franchise entries, driven by the output of major studios including Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, Paramount, and Netflix. Finalists were notified before Thanksgiving, signaling the start of a heated competition among the top visual effects contenders. Standout titles among the finalists include Avatar, Frankenstein, Predator, Sinners, Wicked, and other high-profile releases from the industry’s leading studios, underscoring a blockbuster-driven field this season. As voters prepare to evaluate groundbreaking CG, motion capture, and practical effects, all eyes are on the teams delivering the most compelling on-screen spectacle.