The Future of VFX Industry: What 2025 Might Look Like
As we approach 2025, the VFX industry is undergoing a major transformation fueled by new technologies and trends.
At Motion Effects, we always look ahead to the next big thing in VFX to improve our projects.
So, we are really excited about what’s coming next.
From AI-powered tools to virtual production, how we create and experience video content can get more efficient, immersive, and mind-blowing.
If you work in video production or animation, you’ll want to learn about these changes as they may impact how you work and your video projects.
So, let’s take a closer look into what the future of VFX might look like in 2025.
The Global Growth of VFX
The VFX industry is booming like never before. According to recent market insights, the global VFX market is about to hit new heights, driven by demand from industries like film, advertising, and gaming. It can reach over $19.28 billion by 2033. This growth shows how essential VFX has become across multiple sectors.
Top Trends That Will Shape the Future of VFX in 2025
1. AI Tools
One of the most significant trends expected in the VFX industry is the integration of AI. While VFX has always required a lot of creative talent and technical expertise, AI tools are beginning to streamline and automate many processes in this industry.
For example, AI-driven upscaling and video editing tools like Topaz AI already enhance footage resolution automatically, and in 2025, you can expect these tools to be much more advanced. They could handle more routine and labor-intensive tasks, such as object tracking, background cleanup, rotoscoping, rendering, and compositing (what once took days can now be done in hours), enabling VFX artists to focus on the creative aspects that require a human touch. This shift could help save time, reduce costs, and open new creative possibilities in video content.
This shift also means quicker turnarounds for anyone in video production or editing while maintaining the highest quality. Imagine producing polished videos in half the time, whether you are making a wedding video, YouTube video, demo video, or an explainer video.
2. Virtual Production
Virtual production is another trend that’s expected to grow in 2025. It isn’t new, but by next year, it will be a standard in the industry. With it, filmmakers can shoot entire scenes in controlled virtual environments. It will also reduce the need for physical sets and location shoots.
This trend, which gained popularity after the release of the television series The Mandalorian, is also expected to make its way into other industries.
As a VFX artist, this shift means you’ll spend more time creating virtual sets and environments that interact seamlessly with live-action footage. This trend also means you will work with massive LED screens instead of green screens.
Check the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at how virtual production was used on The Mandalorian, Season One.
3. Virtual and Augmented Reality
With AR and VR becoming more mainstream in entertainment and gaming, the demand for immersive VFX will skyrocket. VFX artists are already involved in creating immersive 360-degree environments for VR, and by 2025, this will be even more common.
4. Cloud-Based Collaboration Tools
In 2025, VFX production will increasingly be managed on cloud-based platforms, making remote collaboration easier and faster. Tools like Shotgun and Frame.io are already leading the way by enabling teams to upload assets, review and approve shots, and communicate seamlessly.
These tools could significantly reduce the need for physical offices and create more global VFX studios where teams can work together remotely without geographic constraints.
5. Advanced Deepfake and Digital Humans
By 2025, digital humans will become a major tool in VFX, especially with advancements in deepfake technology and digital doubles. Studios like ILM and DNEG are already experimenting with these techniques to create lifelike characters without the need for human actors.
Movies like The Irishman used digital de-aging, and by 2025, this technology will be commonplace in productions and might change videos forever.
Challenges to Watch in 2025
While the emerging trends and technologies in the VFX industry are exciting, they also come with a range of challenges that VFX artists and studios will face as they evolve.
One of the main challenges they will face is adapting to automated and AI-driven VFX workflows. For you as a VFX artist, this could be a tricky line to walk because it can raise concerns over the loss of artistry and creative control.
Plus, with AI capable of generating entire environments, characters, and even scenes, there is a fear that AI might replace human jobs in VFX. This could shift VFX-related roles from hands-on production to high-level creative direction. The challenge will be navigating this shift, where the focus could move towards managing and directing AI rather than crafting every visual detail. For many, this will require a mindset shift from “creating” to “curating and directing AI outputs.”
Another challenge with the new trends in video editing is the ethical implications of AI-generated content on ownership, authenticity, and creative rights. Issues like AI replicating human performances or generating content based on copyrighted materials without proper attribution could lead to potential legal battles and creative disputes.
Additionally, these new trends can widen the gap between large and smaller studios that cannot afford to invest in cutting-edge technologies. This could create a market divide, with larger studios possibly getting ahead, making it harder for smaller players to compete unless they innovate in their own ways.
Tackle These Challenges with Our Team
Adapting to the evolving VFX landscape requires a proactive approach. At Motion Effects, we understand these challenges (and trends!) and offer advanced solutions to help you navigate them effectively. Our goal is to incorporate AI in our projects where it can handle repetitive tasks or enhance the creative process. But we never lose sight of the human creativity that makes our work stand out.
So, if you are ready to navigate these upcoming trends in 2025, contact us today. Whether you’re a filmmaker, a video production company, an independent creator, or a business looking to elevate your content, our expertise ensures your story will leave a lasting impact.
Learn more about how we can bring your ideas to life.