As we get inch closer to the Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlist of ten films that remain running in the Visual Effects category for the 90th Academy Awards to be held this March.

• Alien: Covenant
• Blade Runner 2049
• Dunkirk
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
• Kong: Skull Island
• Okja
• The Shape of Water
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi
• Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
• War for the Planet of the Apes

Among the nominated films, The Shape of Water and Star Wars: The Last Jedi are the only films currently playing in theaters.  War for the Planet of the Apes, in all likelihood, will be crowned the winner when the Oscars are announced in March.

The shortlist was determined by the  Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee of the Academy.  Every member of the Visual Effects Branch will now be invited to view 10-minute excerpts of the films on Saturday, January 6, 2018.  Following the screenings, members will nominate their top five films to advance to the Oscars.

Nominations for the 90th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.

The 90th Oscars® will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 6:30 p.m. ET/ 3:30 p.m. PT.