Barbara Robertson

Images courtesy of Pixar Animation Studios. Though the WiFi-connected Buzz Lightyears appear to operate with a hive mind, they are not background characters. These Buzz Lightyears come in and out of the foreground constantly. Toy Story, Pixar Animation Studios’ first feature film, revolutionized the animated film industry. This tale of toys that come alive when humans aren’t around launched one of the highest-earning franchises in film history, with a worldwide gross now exceeding $3.3 billion.

April 14 2026 PIVOTAL TECHNOLOGY: HOW THE DYKSTRAFLEX TRANFORMED THE VFX INDUSTRY – AND MOVIES Images courtesy of Industrial Light & Magic. Gene Kozicki, pictured here, and Brooke Breton worked in partnership with the Science and Technology Council at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to mount a working model of the Dykstraflex system for the popular exhibition at the Academy Museum in 2024.

Director James Gunn wanted to create a new version of Superman, not a sequel or prequel, one that was closer to the spirit of the comic books. (Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures) This year’s Best Visual Effects Oscar contenders display a full range of visual effects from invisible effects supporting dramatic stunts and action to full-blown fantasies with a few superheroes and anti-superheroes in between.