Back to Timelines • Back to Homepage
This page contains a list of the winners and nominees for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and
Sciences award (Oscar TM) in the Visual Effects category.
The Academy of Motion Pictures
Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) created the Special Effects category in 1939.
Between 1964 and1971 the category was renamed Special Visual Effects.
Between 1972 and 1976 the category of visual effects was renamed as
Special Achievement Award or not necessarily given in a particular year.
Since then the category has often be called Visual Effects (w = winner). For more information--including the Scientific and Technical Awards--visit the AMPAS website at www.oscars.org (will open in a new window). 1939 The Rains Came (w). E.H. Hansen and Fred Sersen, 20th Century-Fox. Gone With the Wind. John R. Cosgrove, Fred Albin and Arthur Johns. MGM. Only Angeles Have Wings. Roy Advidson and Edwin C. Hahn, Columbia. The Private Lives of Elisabeth and Essex. Byron Haskin and Nathan Levinson, Warner Bros. Topper Takes a Trip. Roy Seawright, UA. Union Pacific. Farciot Edouart, Gordon Jennings and Loren Ryder, Paramount. The Wizard of Oz. A.Arnold Gillespie and Douglas Shearer, MGM. 1940 The Thief of Bagdad (w). Lawrence Butler and Jack Whitney, UA. The Blue Bird. Fred Sersen and E. H. Hansen, 20th Century-Fox Boom Town. A. Arnold Gillespie, and Douglas Shearer, MGM. The Boys From Syracuse. John P. Fulton, Bernard B. Brown and Joeseph Lapis, Universal. Dr. Cyclops. Farciot Edouart and Gordon Jennings, Paramount. Foreign Correspondent. Paul Eagler and Thomas T. Moulton, UA. The Invisible Man Returns. John P. Fulton, Bernard B. Brown and William Hedgecock, Universal. The Long Voyage Home. R.T. Layton, R.O. Binger and Thomas T. Moulton, UA. One Million B.C. Roy Seawright and Elmer Raguse, UA. Rebecca. Jack Cosgrove and Arthur Johns, UA. The Sea Hawk. Byron Haskin and Nathan Levinson, Warner Bros. Swiss Family Robinson. Vernon L. Walker and John O. Aalberg. Typhoon. Farciot Edouart, Gordon Jennings and Loren Ryder, Paramount. Women in War. Howard J. Lydecker, William Bradford, Ellis J. Thackery and Herbert Norsch, Republic. 1941 I Wanted Wings (w). Farciot Edouart, Gordon Jennings and Louis Mesenkop. Paramount. Aloma of The South Seas. Faciot Edouart, Gordon Jennings and Louis Mesenkop, Paramount. Flight Command. A.Arnold Gillespie and Douglas Shearer, MGM. The Invisible Woman. John Fulton, and John Hall, Universal. The Sea Wolf. Byron Haskin and Nathan Levinson, Warner Bros. That Hamilton Woman. Lawrence Butler and William H. Wilmarth, UA. Topper Returns. Roy Seawright and Elmer Raguse, UA. A Yank in the R.A.F. Fred Sersen and E.H. Hansen, 20th Century Fox. 1942 Reap the Wild Wind (w). Farciot Edouart, Gordon Jennings, William L. Pereira and Louis Mesenkop, Paramount. The Black Swan. Fred Sersen, Roger Herman, and George Leverett, 20th Century Fox. Desperate Journey. Byron Haskin and Nathan Levinson, Warner Bros. Flying Tigers. Howard Lydecker and Daniel J. Bloomberg, Republic. Invisible Agent. John Fulton and Bernard B Brown, Universal. Jungle Book. Lawrence Butler and William H. Wilmarth, UA. Mrs. Miniver. A. Arnold Gillespie, Warrn Newcombe and Douglas Shearer, MGM. The Navy Comes Through. Vernon L. Walker and James G. Stewart, RKO Radio. One of Our Aircraft is Missing. Ronald Neame and C.C. Steven, UA. The Pride of The Yankees. Jack Cosgrove, Ray Binger and Thomas T. Moulton, RKO Radio. 1943 Crash Dive (w). Fred Sersen and Roger Herman, 20th Century Fox. Air Force. Hans Koenekamp, Rex Wimpy and Nathan Levinson, Warner Bros. Bombardier. Vernon L. Walker, James G. Stewart and Roy Granville, RKO Radio. The North Star. Clarence Slifer, R.O. Binger and Thomas T. Moulton, RKO Radio. So Proudly We Hail. Farciot Edouart, Gordon Jennings, and George Dutton, Paramount. Stand By for Action. A. Arnold Gillespie, Donald Jahraus and Michael Steinore, MBM. 1944 Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (w). A. Arnold Gillespie, Donald Jahraus, Warren Newcombe and Douglas Shearer, MGM. The Adventures of Mark Twain. Paul Detlefsen, John Crouse and Nathan Levinson, Warner Bros. Days of Glory. Vernon L. Walker, James G. Stewart and Roy Granville, RKO Radio. Secret Command. David Allen, Ray Cory, Robert Wright, Russell Malmgren and Harry Kusnick, Columbia. Since You Went Away. John R. Cosgrove and Arthur Johns, UA. The Story of Dr. Wassell. Farciot Edouart, Gordon Jennings, and George Dutton, Paramount. Wilson. Fred Sersen and Roger Heman, 20th Century Fox. 1945 Wonder Man (w). John Fulton and A.W. Johns, RKO Radio. Captain Eddie. Fred Sersen, Sol Halprin, Roger Heman and Harry Leonard, 20th Century Fox. Spellbound. Jack Cosgrove, UA. They Were Expendable. A. Arnold Gillespie, Donald Jahraus, R.A. MacDonald and Michael Steinore, MGM. A Thousand and One Nights. L.W. Butler and Ray Bomba, Columbia. 1946 Blithe Spirit (w). Thomas Howard, UA. A Stolen Life. William McGann and Nathan Levinson, Warner Bros. 1947 Green Dolphin Street (w). A. Arnold Gillespie, Warren Newcombe, Douglas Shearer and Michael Steinore, MGM. Unconquered. Farciot Edouart, Devereux Jennings, Gordon Jennings, Wallace Kelly, Paul Lerpae and George Dutton, Paramount. 1948 Portrait of Jennie (w). Paul Eagler, J. McMillan Johnson, Russell Shearman, Clarence Slifer, Charles Freeman and James G. Stewart, Selznick Releasing Organization. Deep Waters, Ralph Hammeras, Fred Sersen, Edward Snyder and Roger Heman, 20th Century Fox. 1949 Mighty Joe Young (w). RKO Radio. Tulsa. Eagle-Lion. 1950 Destination Moon (w). Eagle-Lion. Samson and Delilah. Paramount. 1951 When Worlds Collide (w). Paramount. 1952 Plymouth Adventure (w). MGM. 1953 The War of the Worlds (w). Paramount. 1954 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (w). Walt Disney Studios. Hell and High Water. 20th Century Fox. Them! Warner Bros. 1955 The Bridges At Toko-Ri (w). Paramount. The Dam Busters. Warner Bros. The Rains of Ranchipur. 20th Century Fox. 1956 The Ten Commandments (w). John Fulton, Paramount. Forbidden Planet. A. Arnold Gillespie, Irving Ries and Wesley C. Miller, MGM. 1957 The Enemy Below (w). Walter Rossi, 20th Century Fox. The Spirit of St.Louis. Louis Lichtenfield, Warner Bros. 1958 Tom Thumb (w). Tom Howard, MGM. Torpedo Run. A. Arnold Gillespie and Harold Humbrock, MGM. The Academy of Motion Pictures
Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) created the Special Effects category in 1939.
Between 1964 and1971 the category was renamed Special Visual Effects.
Between 1972 and 1976 the category of visual effects was renamed as
Special Achievement Award or not necessarily given in a particular year.
Since then the category has often be called Visual Effects (w = winner). 1960 The Time Machine (w). Gene Warren, Tim Baar, MGM. The Last Voyage. A.J. Lohman, MGM. 1961 The Guns of Navarone (w). Bill Warrington, Vivian C. Greenham, Columbia. The Absent Minded Professor. Robert A. Mattey, Eustace Lycett, Disney. 1962 The Longest Day (w). Robert MacDonald, Jacques Maumont, 20th Century-Fox. Mutiny on the Bounty. A. Arnold Gillespie, Milo Lory, MGM. 1963 (Special Visual Effects) Cleopatra (w). Emil Kosa, Jr., 20th Century-Fox. The Birds. Ub Iwerks, Universal. 1964 (Special Visual Effects) Mary Poppins (w). Peter Ellenshaw, Hamilton Luske, Eustace Lycett, Buena Vista. 7 Faces of Dr. Lao. Jim Danforth, MGM. 1965 (Special Visual Effects) Thunderball (w). John Stears, UA (British). The Greatest Story Ever Told. J. McMillan Johnson, UA. 1966 (Special Visual Effects) Fantastic Voyage (w). Walter Rossi, 20th Century-Fox. Hawaii. Linwood G. Dunn, UA. 1967 (Special Visual Effects) Doctor Doolittle (w). L.B. Abbott, 20th Century-Fox. Tobruk. Howard A. Anderson, Jr., Albert Whitlock, Universal. 1968 (Special Visual Effects) 2001: A Space Odyssey (w). Stanley Kubrick, MGM. Ice Station Zebra. Hal Millar, J. McMillan Johnson, MGM. 1969 (Special Visual Effects) Marooned (w). Robbie Robertson, Columbia. Krakatoa, East of Java. Eugene Lourie, Alex Weldon, Cinerama. 1970 (Special Visual Effects) Tora! Tora! Tora! (w). A.D. Flowers, L.B. Abbott, 20th Century-Fox. Patton. Alex Weldon, 20th Century-Fox. 1971 (Special Visual Effects) Bedknobs and Broomsticks (w). Alan Maley, Eustace Lycett, Danny Lee, Buena Vista. When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth. Jim Danforth, Roger Dicken, Warner Bros. 1972 (Special Achievement Award) The Poseidon Adventure. L.B. Abbott, A.D. Flowers, 20th Century-Fox. 1973 (Special Achievement Award) None. 1974 (Special Achievement Award) Earthquake. Frank Brendel, Glen Robinson, Albert Whitlock, Universal. 1975 (Special Achievement Award) The Hindenburg. Albert Whitlock, Glen Robinson, Universal. 1976 (Special Achievement Award) King Kong. Carlo Rambaldi, Glen Robinson, Frank Van Der Veer, Paramount. Logan's Run. L.B. Abbott, Glen Robinson, Matthew Yuricich, MGM. 1977 (Visual Effects) Star Wars (w). John Stears, John Dykstra, Richard Edlund, Grant McCune, Robert Blalack, 20th Century-Fox. Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Roy Arbogast, Douglas Trumbull, Matthew Yuricich, Gregory Jein, Richard Yuricich, Columbia. 1978 (Special Achievement Award) Superman. Les Bowie, Colin Chilvers, Denys Coop, Roy Field, Derek Meddings, Zoran Perisic, Warner Bros. 1979 (Visual Effects) Alien (w). H.R. Giger, Carlo Rambaldi, Brian Johnson, Nick Allder, Denys Ayling, 20th Century-Fox. The Black Hole. Peter Ellenshaw, Art Cruickshank, Eustace Lycett, Danny Lee, Harrison Ellenshaw, Joe Hale, Disney. Moonraker. Derek Meddings, Paul Wilson, John Evans, UA. William A. Fraker, A.D. Flowers, Gregory Jein, Universal. Star Trek &endash; The Motion Picture. Douglas Trumbull, John Dykstra, Richard Yuricich, Robert Swarthe, Dave Stewart, Grant McCune, Paramount. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) created the Special Effects category in 1939. Between 1964 and 1971 the category was renamed Special Visual Effects. Between 1972 and 1976 the category of visual effects was renamed as Special Achievement Award or not necessarily given in a particular year. Since then the category has been called Visual Effects. (w = winner.) 1980 (Special Achievement Award) The Empire Strikes Back. Brian Johnson, Richard Edlund, Dennis Muren, Bruce Nicholson, 20th Century-Fox. 1981 (Visual Effects) Raiders of the Lost Ark (w). Richard Edlund, Kit West, Bruce Nicholson, Joe Johnston, Lucasfilm, Paramount. Dragonslayer. Dennis Muren, Phil Tippett, Kan Ralston, Brian Johnson, Paramount. 1982 (Visual Effects) E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (w). Carlo Rambaldi, Dennis Muren, Kenneth F. Smith, Universal. Blade Runner. Douglas Trumbull, Richard Uricich, David Dryer, The Ladd Company/Sir Run Run Shaw. Poltergeist. Stephen Hunter Flick, Richard L. Anderson, MGM/UA. 1983 (Special Achievement Award) Return of the Jedi. Richard Edlund, Dennis Muren, Ken Ralston, Phil Tippett, Lucasfilm, 20th Century-Fox. 1984 (Visual Effects) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (w). Dennis Muren, Michael McAlister, Lorne Peterson, George Gibbs, Lucasfilm, Paramount. Ghostbusters. Richard Edlund, John Bruno, Mark Vargo, Chuck Gaspar, Columbia. 2010. Richard Edlund, Neil Krepela, George Jenson, Mark Steson, MGM/UA. 1985 (Visual Effects) Cocoon (w). Ken Ralston, Ralph McQuarrie, Scott Farrar, David Berry, 20th Century-Fox. Return to Oz. Will Vinton, Ian Wingrove, Zoran Perisic, Michael Lloyd, Disney and Silver Screen Partners II, Buena Vista. Young Sherlock Holmes. Dennis Muren, Kit West, John Ellis, David Allen, Amblin/Winkler/Birnbaum, Paramount. 1986 (Visual Effects) Aliens (w). Robert Skotak, Stan Winston, John Richardson, Suzanne Benson, 20th Century-Fox. Little Shop of Horrors. Lyle Conway, Bran Ferren, Martin Gutterridge, Geffen, through Warner Bros. 1987 (Visual Effects) Innerspace (w). Dennis Muren, William George, Harley Jessup, Kenneth Smith, Warner Bros. Predator. Joel Hynek, Robert M. Greenberg, Richard Greenberg, Stan Winston, 20th Century-Fox. 1988 (Visual Effects) Who Framed Roger Rabbit (w). Ken Ralston, Richard Williams, Edward Jones, George Gibbs, Amblin Entertainment-Touchstone, Buena Vista. Die Hard. Richard Edlund, Al DiSarro, Brent Boates, Thaine Morris, 20th Century-Fox. Willow. Dennis Muren, Michael McAlister, Phil Tippett, Chris Evans, Lucasfilm with Imagine Entertainment, MGM. 1989 (Visual Effects) The Abyss (w). John Bruno, Dennis Muren, Hoyt Yeatman, Dennis Skotak, 20th Century-Fox. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Richard Conway, Kent Houston, Prominent Features & Laura Film, Columbia. Back to the Future Part II. Ken Ralston, Michael Lantieri, John Bell and Steve Gawley, Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment, Universal. 1990 (Special Achievement Award) Total Recall. Eric Brevig, Rob Bottin, Tim McGovern, Alex Funke, Carolco Pictures Production, Tri-Star. 1991 (Visual Effects) Terminator 2: Judgment Day (w). Dennis Muren, Stan Winston, Gene Warren, Jr., Robert Skotak, Carolco, TriStar. Backdraft. Mikael Salomon, Allen Hall, Clay Pinney, Scott Farrar, Trilogy Entertainment Group/Brian Grazer, Universal. Hook. Eric Brevig, Harley Jessup, Mark Sullivan, Michael Lantieri, TriStar. 1992 (Visual Effects) Death Becomes Her (w). Ken Ralston, Doug Chiang, Doug Smythe, Tom Woodruff, Jr., Universal. Alien3. Richard Edlund, Alec Gillis, Tom Woodruff, Jr., George Gibbs, 20th Century-Fox. Batman Returns. Michael Fink, Craig Barron, John Bruno, Dennis Skotak, Warner Bros. 1993 (Visual Effects) Jurassic Park (w). Dennis Muren, Stan Winston, Phil Tippett, Michael Lantieri, Amblin Entertainment Production; Universal. Cliffhanger. Neil Krepela, John Richardson, John Bruno, Pamela Easley, Cliffhanger B.V. Production; TriStar. The Nightmare Before Christmas. Pete Kozachik, Eric Leighton, Ariel Velasco Shaw, Gordon Baker, Touchstone Pictures Production; Buena Vista. 1994 (Visual Effects) Forrest Gump (w). Ken Ralston, George Murphy, Stephen Rosenbaum, Allen Hall, Steve Tisch/Wendy Finerman Productions; Paramount. Mask. Scott Squires, Steve Williams, Tom Bertino, Jon Farhat, Katja Motion Picture Production; New Line. True Lies. John Bruno, Thomas L. Fisher, Jacques Strowis, Patrick McClung, Lightstorm Entertainment Production; 20th Century-Fox. 1995 (Visual Effects) Babe (w). Scott E. Anderson, Charles Gibson, Neal Scanlon, John Cox, Kennedy Miller Pictures; Universal. Apollo 13. Robert Legato, Michael Kanfer, Leslie Ekker, Matt Sweeney, Imagine; Universal. 1996 (Visual Effects) Independence Day (w). Volker Engel, Douglas Smith, Clay Pinney, Joseph Viskocil, 20th Century-Fox. Dragonheart. Scott Squires, Phil Tippett, James Straus, Kit West, Raffaella De Laurentiis, Universal. Twister. Stefen Fangmeier, John Frazier, Habib Zargarpour, Henry La Bounta, Warner Bros./Universal. 1997 (Visual Effects) Titanic (w). Robert Legato, Mark Lasoff, Thomas L. Fisher, Michael Kanfer, Lightstorm Entertainment, 20th Century-Fox, Paramount. The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Dennis Muren, Stan Winston, Randal M. Dutra, Michael Lantieri, Universal/Amblin Entertainment, Universal. Starship Troopers. Phil Tippett, Scott E. Anderson, Alec Gillis, John Richardson, TriStar Pictures/Touchstone Pictures, TriStar. 1998 (Visual Effects) What Dreams May Come (w). Joel Hynek, Nicholas Brooks, Stuart Robertson, Kevin Mack. Armageddon. Richard R. Hoover, Pat McClung, John Frazier. Mighty Joe Young. Rick Baker, Hoyt Yeatman, Allen Hall, Jim Mitchell. 1999 (Visual Effects) The Matrix (w). John Gaeta, Janek Sirrs, Steve Courtley and Jon Thum. Warner Bros. Stuart Little. John Dykstra, Jerome Chen, Henry F. Anderson III and Eric Allard. Columbia. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. John Knoll, Dennis Muren, Scott Squires and Rob Coleman. 20th Century Fox 2000 (Visual Effects) Gladiator (w). John Nelson, Neil Corbould, Tim Burke, Rob Harvey Hollow Man. Scott E. Anderson, Craig Hayes, Scott Stokdyk, Stan Parks The Perfect Storm. Stefen Fangmeier, Habib Zargarpour, John Frazier, Walt Conti 2001 (Visual Effects) The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (w). Jim Rygiel, Randall William Cook, Richard Taylor, Mark Stetson A.I. Artificial Intelligence. Dennis Muren, Scott Farrar, Stan Winston, Michael Lantieri Pearl Harbor. Eric Brevig, John Frazier, Ed Hirsh, Ben Snow 2002 (Visual Effects) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (w). Jim Rygiel, Joe Letteri, Randall William Cook, Alex Funke Spiderman. John Dykstra, Scott Stokdyk, Anthony LaMolinara, John Frazier Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones. Rob Coleman, Pablo Helman, John Knoll, Ben Snow 2003 (Visual Effects) The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (w). 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
AMPAS Awards
for Visual Effects (1939-1959)
AMPAS
Awards for Visual Effects (1960-1979)
AMPAS Awards
for Visual Effects (1980-2003)
-
| The Book | Review & Practice | Special Feature | Web Links | Readings | Timelines | Other |