We had one film release this past weekend with the potential for Oscar nominations.

The Jungle Book

Disney’s animated features are among the most recognized and celebrated films in cinema history. After years of success, Disney seems to have stumbled on their latest opportunity to wrest money out of the control of the public. By investing heavily in these products, the end results are so spectacular that the Academy Awards have already taken notice.

In 2010, the first big screen adaptation gave Tim Burton an outsized hit and brought in three Oscar nominations, for Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design and Best Visual Effects. Burton’s films were always technically gifted, especially in the production design and costuming arenas. As such, it should come as no surprise that it took home both Oscars that year. It took 4 years to ramp up that division, so 2014’s Maleficent was the next benefactor. It was a hit as well, but only secured one Oscar nomination: Best Costume Design.

The same thing happened last year to Cinderella, big box office and a single Oscar nomination in Best Costume Design. Until the envelope was opened, everyone thought Cinderella was a shoo-in for the award, but ultimately lost to a mini-sweep of the techs by Mad Max: Fury Road.

This year, Disney has three live-action adaptations to go with their prior efforts. Alice Through the Looking Glass follows Burton’s 2010 original; Pete’s Dragon reworks the legendary part-animation, part-live-action feature that entranced audiences in 1977; and the live-action re-adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s celebrated anthropomorphic novel The Jungle Book.

It’s another box office hit and based on everything I’ve heard, it’s certain to be one of this year’s five Best Visual Effects nominees. Will they hedge their bets and put it in for Best Animated Feature (it would be a strange gamble that wouldn’t likely pay off). Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing are also possible, as is Best Production Design. Beyond that, I can’t see too many other opportunities for the film. It will also be one of the key players for the win in Best Visual Effects, but could face stiff competition from the likes of Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, which has already received bounteous praise for its high framerate 3D effects at a sneak preview.