Visual Effects Oscar Winners & Nomination History

The AwardWentTo archive contains 275 Academy Award records for Visual Effects, including 79 wins, across 79 film years (1927/28–2025).

Years follow the source film eligibility/dataset year, which may differ from the ceremony calendar year. Counts describe film-linked archive records, including historical and special-award context where supplied.

Popular categories

Best Picture Best Director Best Actor Best Actress Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actress Best Animated Feature Best Documentary Feature

Winner history

79 winning records in the selected film-year range. Follow a year to see its other category results.

Show all nomination and award records

Visual Effects winner history by film year, film and credited nominee or recipient
Film year	Film	Credited nominee / recipient
Film year2025	FilmAvatar: Fire and Ash IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJoe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett
Film year2024	FilmDune: Part Two IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientPaul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe and Gerd Nefzer
Film year2023	FilmGodzilla Minus One IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientTakashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima
Film year2022	FilmAvatar: The Way of Water IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJoe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett
Film year2021	FilmDune IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientPaul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor and Gerd Nefzer
Film year2020	FilmTenet IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientAndrew Jackson, David Lee, Andrew Lockley and Scott Fisher
Film year2019	Film1917 IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientGuillaume Rocheron, Greg Butler and Dominic Tuohy
Film year2018	FilmFirst Man IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientPaul Lambert, Ian Hunter, Tristan Myles and J.D. Schwalm
Film year2017	FilmBlade Runner 2049 IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJohn Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert and Richard R. Hoover
Film year2016	FilmThe Jungle Book IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientRobert Legato, Adam Valdez, Andrew R. Jones and Dan Lemmon
Film year2015	FilmEx Machina IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientAndrew Whitehurst, Paul Norris, Mark Ardington and Sara Bennett
Film year2014	FilmInterstellar IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientPaul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Ian Hunter and Scott Fisher
Film year2013	FilmGravity IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientTim Webber, Chris Lawrence, David Shirk and Neil Corbould
Film year2012	FilmLife of Pi IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientBill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R. Elliott
Film year2011	FilmHugo IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientRob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossmann and Alex Henning
Film year2010	FilmInception IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientPaul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb
Film year2009	FilmAvatar IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJoe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
Film year2008	FilmThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientEric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron
Film year2007	FilmThe Golden Compass IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientMichael Fink, Bill Westenhofer, Ben Morris and Trevor Wood
Film year2006	FilmPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJohn Knoll, Hal Hickel, Charles Gibson and Allen Hall
Film year2005	FilmKing Kong IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJoe Letteri, Brian Van't Hul, Christian Rivers and Richard Taylor
Film year2004	FilmSpider-Man 2 IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJohn Dykstra, Scott Stokdyk, Anthony LaMolinara and John Frazier
Film year2003	FilmThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJim Rygiel, Joe Letteri, Randall William Cook and Alex Funke
Film year2002	FilmThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJim Rygiel, Joe Letteri, Randall William Cook, Alex Funke
Film year2001	FilmThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJim Rygiel, Randall William Cook, Richard Taylor, Mark Stetson
Film year2000	FilmGladiator IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJohn Nelson, Neil Corbould, Tim Burke, Rob Harvey
Film year1999	FilmThe Matrix IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJohn Gaeta, Janek Sirrs, Steve Courtley, Jon Thum
Film year1998	FilmWhat Dreams May Come IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJoel Hynek, Nicholas Brooks, Stuart Robertson, Kevin Mack
Film year1997	FilmTitanic IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientRobert Legato, Mark Lasoff, Thomas L. Fisher, Michael Kanfer
Film year1996	FilmIndependence Day IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientVolker Engel, Douglas Smith, Clay Pinney, Joseph Viskocil
Film year1995	FilmBabe IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientScott E. Anderson, Charles Gibson, Neal Scanlan, John Cox
Film year1994	FilmForrest Gump IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientKen Ralston, George Murphy, Stephen Rosenbaum, Allen Hall
Film year1993	FilmJurassic Park IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientDennis Muren, Stan Winston, Phil Tippett, Michael Lantieri
Film year1992	FilmDeath Becomes Her IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientKen Ralston, Doug Chiang, Doug Smythe, Tom Woodruff, Jr.
Film year1991	FilmTerminator 2: Judgment Day IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientDennis Muren, Stan Winston, Gene Warren, Jr., Robert Skotak
Film year1989	FilmThe Abyss IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJohn Bruno, Dennis Muren, Hoyt Yeatman, Dennis Skotak
Film year1988	FilmWho Framed Roger Rabbit IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientKen Ralston, Richard Williams, Edward Jones, George Gibbs
Film year1987	FilmInnerspace IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientDennis Muren, William George, Harley Jessup, Kenneth Smith
Film year1986	FilmAliens IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientRobert Skotak, Stan Winston, John Richardson, Suzanne Benson
Film year1985	FilmCocoon IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientKen Ralston, Ralph McQuarrie, Scott Farrar, David Berry
Film year1984	FilmIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientDennis Muren, Michael McAlister, Lorne Peterson, George Gibbs
Film year1982	FilmE.T. The Extra-Terrestrial IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientCarlo Rambaldi, Dennis Muren, Kenneth F. Smith
Film year1981	FilmRaiders of the Lost Ark IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientRichard Edlund, Kit West, Bruce Nicholson, Joe Johnston
Film year1979	FilmAlien IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientH.R. Giger, Carlo Rambaldi, Brian Johnson, Nick Allder, Denys Ayling
Film year1977	FilmStar Wars IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJohn Stears, John Dykstra, Richard Edlund, Grant McCune, Robert Blalack
Film year1971	FilmBedknobs and Broomsticks IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientAlan Maley, Eustace Lycett, Danny Lee Source context Source category: SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Film year1970	FilmTora! Tora! Tora! IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientA. D. Flowers, L. B. Abbott Source context Source category: SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Film year1969	FilmMarooned IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientRobbie Robertson Source context Source category: SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Film year1968	Film2001: A Space Odyssey IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientStanley Kubrick Source context Source category: SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Film year1967	FilmDoctor Dolittle IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientL. B. Abbott Source context Source category: SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Film year1966	FilmFantastic Voyage IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientArt Cruickshank Source context Source category: SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Film year1965	FilmThunderball IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJohn Stears Source context Source category: SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Film year1964	FilmMary Poppins IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientPeter Ellenshaw, Eustace Lycett, Hamilton Luske Source context Source category: SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Film year1963	FilmCleopatra IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientEmil Kosa, Jr. Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1962	FilmThe Longest Day IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientVisual Effects by Robert MacDonald; Audible Effects by Jacques Maumont Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1961	FilmThe Guns of Navarone IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientVisual Effects by Bill Warrington; Audible Effects by Vivian C. Greenham Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1960	FilmThe Time Machine IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientVisual Effects by Gene Warren, Tim Baar Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1959	FilmBen-Hur IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientVisual Effects by A. Arnold Gillespie, Robert MacDonald; Audible Effects by Milo Lory Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1958	Filmtom thumb IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientVisual Effects by Tom Howard Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1957	FilmThe Enemy Below IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientAudible Effects by Walter Rossi Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1956	FilmThe Ten Commandments IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientJohn Fulton Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1955	FilmThe Bridges at Toko-Ri IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientParamount Studio Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1954	Film20,000 Leagues under the Sea IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientWalt Disney Studios Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1953	FilmThe War of the Worlds IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientParamount Studio Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1952	FilmPlymouth Adventure IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1951	FilmWhen Worlds Collide IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientParamount Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1950	FilmDestination Moon IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientGeorge Pal Productions Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1949	FilmMighty Joe Young IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientARKO Productions Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1948	FilmPortrait of Jennie IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientSpecial Visual Effects by Paul Eagler, J. McMillan Johnson, Russell Shearman, Clarence Slifer; Special Audible Effects by Charles Freeman, James G. Stewart Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1947	FilmGreen Dolphin Street IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientSpecial Visual Effects by A. Arnold Gillespie, Warren Newcombe; Special Audible Effects by Douglas Shearer, Michael Steinore Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1946	FilmBlithe Spirit IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientSpecial Visual Effects by Thomas Howard Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1945	FilmWonder Man IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientPhotographic Effects by John Fulton; Sound Effects by Arthur W. Johns Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1944	FilmThirty Seconds over Tokyo IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientPhotographic Effects by A. Arnold Gillespie, Donald Jahraus, Warren Newcombe; Sound Effects by Douglas Shearer Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1943	FilmCrash Dive IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientPhotographic Effects by Fred Sersen; Sound Effects by Roger Heman Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1942	FilmReap the Wild Wind IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientPhotographic Effects by Gordon Jennings, Farciot Edouart, William L. Pereira; Sound Effects by Louis Mesenkop Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1941	FilmI Wanted Wings IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientPhotographic Effects by Farciot Edouart, Gordon Jennings; Sound Effects by Louis Mesenkop Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1940	FilmThe Thief of Bagdad IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientPhotographic Effects by Lawrence Butler; Sound Effects by Jack Whitney Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1939	FilmThe Rains Came IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientFred Sersen, E. H. Hansen Source context Source category: SPECIAL EFFECTS
Film year1927/28	FilmWings IMDb	Credited nominee / recipientRoy Pomeroy Source context Source category: ENGINEERING EFFECTS

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270 film/year points with available runtime data in the selected range. The chart groups records for the same film and year.

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About these award records

This independent archive groups film-linked award records by film, credited name, category and eligibility year. The film year can differ from the year the ceremony took place. Ceremony numbers are shown where supplied by the records.

Each distinct performance, song or award credit remains a separate record, even when it belongs to the same film. Shared credits stay together. A person's page covers the name shown, without combining aliases or shared credits into a complete career total.

Totals can include honorary, special and historical awards alongside competitive nominations. Awards without a linked film are outside these page totals. Source notes and uncertain records are retained; category comparisons omit groups with unresolved notes, ties or conflicting identities.

For the official record, search the Academy Awards Database (opens in a new tab). Award Went To is an independent exploration tool and is not affiliated with the Academy.