2026 Oscar Best Visual Effects Predictions

Tracking my evolving predictions for Visual Effects throughout Awards Season.
Academy Awards Oscars statuette on transparent background

Visual Effects

*Updated 01.21.2025

In the Spotlight

1

Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century Studios)

— 👑

2

Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)

— 🔒

3

Frankenstein (Netflix)

— 🔒

4

F1: The Movie (Apple Films | Warner Bros.)

▲ 1 🔒

5

The Lost Bus (Apple Films)

▲ 2

On the Fringe

6

Superman (DC Studios)

▼ 2

7

Sinners (Warner Bros.)

▼ 2

In the Mix

8

Jurassic World Rebirth (Universal Pictures)

▲ 1

9

Tron: Ares (Walt Disney Pictures)

▼ 1

10

The Electric State (Netflix)

Predator: Badlands (20th Century Studios)

🪦

Shortlist scorecard showing 9 out of 10 correct predictions and 90 percent accuracy for Visual Effects

The table updates as the awards season shifts – my ADHD and OCD won’t let it sit still. The leaderboard below stays put; it’s the Top 7 I locked in at the start of the month.

Leaderboard graphic showing the top 7 Visual Effects contenders for the 2026 Oscars (Dec 2025)

Leaderboard graphic showing the top 7 Visual Effects contenders for the 2026 Oscars.