The Visual Effects branch of the Academy announced its shortlist in the Best Visual Effects category at the 2019 Oscars, advancing Marvel’s “Black Panther,” “Avengers: Infinity War” and Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One” in the race.
After announcing its initial field of 20 films earlier this month, the VFX branch whittled that list down to just 10 vying for the final five Oscar nominations announced on Jan. 22.
Here’s the full list via the Academy below:
“Ant-Man and the Wasp”
“Avengers: Infinity War”
“Black Panther”
“Christopher Robin”
“First Man”
“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”
“Mary Poppins Returns”
“Ready Player One”
“Solo: A Star Wars Story”
“Welcome to Marwen”
All three Marvel movies released this year, including “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” made the shortlist, while their rival DC, whose slate includes this weekend’s “Aquaman,” was left out. The sixth “Mission: Impossible” movie, “Fallout,” and the “Fantastic Beasts” sequel “The Crimes of Grindelwald” also failed to make the shortlist, as did the children-friendly “Incredibles 2,” “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” and “Paddington 2.”
All members of the Visual Effects branch of the Academy will now be invited to view 10-minute excerpts from each of the shortlisted films on Saturday, January 5, 2019. Following the screenings, members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar consideration.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. Awards will be handed out on Sunday, Feb. 24.