Announcing the Visual Effects Society’s list of most influential special effects films of all time, Executive Director Eric Roth said, “These films have had a significant, lasting impact on the practice and appreciation of visual effects as an integral, artistic element of cinematic expression and the storytelling process.”

Because I'm sure ReelTalkers would like to know which films made this important list, here it is (ties are indicated in bold/italics):

1. Star Wars (1977)               

2. Blade Runner (1982)                                    

3. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)                        

3. The Matrix (1999)                                    

5. Jurassic Park (1993)                                    

6. Tron (1982)                                          

7. King Kong (1933)                                    

8. Close Encounters of the Third Kind  (1997)                  

9. Alien (1979)                                          

10. The Abyss (1989)                                    

11. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)                        

12. Metropolis (1927)                                    

13. A Trip to the Moon (1902)                              

14. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) 

15. The Wizard of Oz (1939)                        

16. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)                        

17. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)                              

18. Titanic (1997)                                          

19. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)            

20. Jason and the Argonauts (1963)                        

20. E.T. the Extraterrestrial (1982)     

22. Toy Story (1995)                                    

23. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)       

24. The Ten Commandments (1956)                        

25. The War of the Worlds (1953)                              

25. Forrest Gump (1994)                                    

25. Citizen Kane (1941)                                    

25 The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1958)                  

25. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)     

30. The Terminator (1984)                                    

31. Aliens (1986)                                          

32. Mary Poppins (1964)                                    

33. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)           

34. Forbidden Planet (1956)                              

35. Babe (1995)                                          

36. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)                      

36. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)                 

38. King Kong (2005)                                    

39. Planet of the Apes (1968)                              

40. Fantastic Voyage (1966)                              

41. Jaws (1975)                                          

41. Ghostbusters (1984)                              

43. Sin City (2005)                                          

44. Superman: The Movie (1978)                        

45. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)                

46. The Lost World (1925)                              

46. Return of the Jedi (1983)                              

48. What Dreams May Come (1998)                        

49. An American Werewolf in London (1981)

50. Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1958)             

50. The Fifth Element (1997) 

I hope some of your favorites are included!  

VES is a professional, honorary society, dedicated to advancing the arts, sciences, and applications of visual effects and to upholding the highest uniform standards and procedures for the visual effects profession. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary year, VES is the entertainment industry's only official trade organization representing the extended community of visual effects practitioners including supervisors, artists, producers, technology developers, educators and studio executives. VES strives to enrich and educate its members and the entertainment community at large through many domestic and international events, screenings and programs. 

(Thanks to W. Jason Grimley of Spelling Communications for sending me this information.)