The Academy has revealed 10 films that will compete for five slots for Best Visual Effects at this year’s Academy Awards. There are two glaring omissions here. Both of this year’s biblical epics are absent. Noah and Exodus: Gods and Kings. The latter is most noteworthy since I had thought it had a sure shot of being nominated.

With it out of the competition, it looks like the nomination list is sure to include Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies and Interstellar. The fifth slot could have gone to Exodus, but of the remaining films, Godzilla has the most subtle and far-ranging effects, but never count out the latest Michael Bay joint. The full list of ten is in the press release after the jump.

10 CONTENDERS REMAIN IN VFX OSCAR® RACE

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 films remain in the running in the Visual Effects category for the 87th Oscars®.

The films are listed below in alphabetical order:
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”
“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”
“Godzilla”
“Guardians of the Galaxy”
“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”
“Interstellar”
“Maleficent”
“Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb”
“Transformers: Age of Extinction”
“X-Men: Days of Future Past”

The Academy’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee determined the shortlist. All members of the Visual Effects Branch will now be invited to view 10-minute excerpts from each of the shortlisted films on Saturday, January 10, 2015. Following the screenings, the members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar consideration.

The 87th Academy Awards® nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

The Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.