Can ‘Godzilla’ crush Best Visual Effects Oscar 2 years in a row?

“Godzilla” may be 70 years old, but it’s showing no signs of slowing down.

At the 96th Academy Awards last month, “Godzilla Minus One” became the first “Godzilla” movie to ever win an Oscar. The 37th entry in the franchise, the Japanese “Minus One” took home the trophy for Best Visual Effects. In fact, it was the first “Godzilla” film ever nominated by the academy in any category.

Talk about being overdue. The question now becomes … can “Godzilla” strike again next year?

As you’re reading this, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” continues to destroy at the box office for Warner Bros. Its domestic receipts have passed $150 million. Worldwide, its grosses are well over $430 million and counting. The sequel to 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong,” its reviews have been somewhat mixed. Many critics have compared it negatively to last year’s acclaimed “Godzilla Minus One,” which scored an impressive 98% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

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But despite the tepid critical reaction, there’s no question that “The New Empire,” directed by Adam Wingard, boasts some of the most extravagant and ingenious visual effects of any motion picture that we’re likely to see this year. While “Godzilla vs. Kong” missed out on an Oscar nomination for Visual Effects two years ago, it did make the branch’s shortlist. Had it not faced stiff competition from the likes of “A Free Guy,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and eventual winner “Dune,” it might have made the cut. So “The New Empire” could strike back next year.

And bear in mind that lackluster reviews are unlikely to deter the Oscar nomination chances of “Godzilla x Kong.” The Visual Effects members judge solely on the merits of the effects; the quality of the film as a whole is irrelevant. That explains Visual Effects noms for some otherwise underwhelming pictures in recent years, like 2020’s “The Midnight Sky” and “The One and Only Ivan.” It also sheds light as to why strong Best Picture contenders like “Oppenheimer” and “Poor Things” were excluded this year.

“Godzilla” can also count on a little help from its friend (or in this case, foe) — the mighty Kong. Indeed, cinema’s most glorious gargantuan gorilla has enjoyed considerable success at the Academy Awards. The 1976 “King Kong” starring Oscar nominee (and future winner) Jeff Bridges and future Oscar winner Jessica Lange  received a Special Achievement prize for Visual Effects. Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson’s 2005 blockbuster “King Kong” starring Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts and Academy Award winner Adrien Brody stomped its way to three statuettes, for Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects. Even 2017’s “Kong: Skull Island” (which spawned “Godzilla vs. Kong”) featuring Academy Award nominee Samuel L. Jackson and Academy Award winner Brie Larsen made its way into Oscar’s Visual Effects lineup. In other words, “King Kong” is a force to be reckoned with.

So don’t count out “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” in next year’s race for Best Visual Effects. “Godzilla Minus One” already crushed its way to Oscar victory. “Godzilla x Kong” could make it an Oscar plus one.

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