Oscar 2014 Best Visual Effects Predictions: 10 Finalists Revealed; 'Gravity' the Front-Runner

The Academy of Motion Picture, Arts, and Sciences has announced the 10 finalists for the Visual Effects category.

The finalists included Best Picture front-runner "Gravity," and Guillermo del Toro's "Pacific Rim." Warner Bros. was also represented by "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug."

Meanwhile, Disney was represented by "The Lone Ranger," which recently made headlines for flopping at the Box Office. The studio also got shortlisted for two Marvel films: "Iron Man 3" and "Thor: The Dark World."

Paramount got shortlisted for two films as well: "Star Trek Into Darkness," and "World War Z."

Universal was represented by the Tom Cruise vehicle "Oblivion" and Sony was represented by Neil Bloomkamp's latest "Elysium."

However, many films were shutout from the short list, most notably "Man of Steel." Oscar contender "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" was also shut out of the category along with "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," "Ender's Game," "Rush," "47 Ronin" and "The Wolverine."

The Visual Effects category recently expanded to five nominees with the last four winners being nominated for Best Picture. These films included "Avatar," "Inception," "Hugo," and "Life of Pi." It is important to note that these four winners also took home the Best Cinematography award.     

It is too early to pick a winner in the category, but "Gravity" has the momentum going as it is the only Best Picture contender and it is the best reviewed film. "The Hobbit" is most likely a lock as the past four films in the franchise have all been nominated for the category.

The last three spots will be difficult to predict as the category is always unpredictable.