Season 8 begins with three returning champions joining the competition as coaches.

Oscar winner Rick Baker is the guest judge for the first Spotlight Challenge, which finds the artists working in teams to create two original alien characters, plus a primate leader.

The remaining 14 artists take part in a deadly predator challenge featuring guest judge Josh Hutcherson ("The Hunger Games").

The thirteen remaining artists must make playing cards come to life in the whimsical style of Tim Burton for their first individual Spotlight Challenge of the competition.

The artists compose a unique character inspired by the original sounds of two-time Oscar nominee Erik Aadahl (Godzilla, World War Z).

The artists create their own unique troll inspired by a real-world bridge with guest judge Doug Jones.

Spotlight Challenge: The contestants must take inspiration from the planets in the solar system to create alien queens who compete in a intergalactic beauty pageant.

The artists create their own stylish horror villain inspired by the work of Clive Barker (Hellraiser, Nightbreed).

The contestants must take inspiration from the planets in the solar system to create alien queens who compete in a intergalactic beauty pageant.

Seven artists remain for the daunting challenge of having to create and apply superhero makeups to themselves.

The artists bring a whimsical creature to life based on a child's description of their imaginary companion.

The artists select from several different dolls at Bob Baker Marionette Theater to concoct the next Chucky or Annabelle.

The artists must create western steampunk cyborgs in order to make it into the finals.

The final three artists must each create four original characters worthy of starring in their own film franchise, with help from the eliminated contestants. The characters will then be displayed at Universal Studios with audience members voting for their favorites.