Our team compiled the movies with best CGI and here is what they came up with
CGI, or computer-generated imagery, has revolutionized the film industry. It has allowed filmmakers to create visuals that were previously impossible or too expensive to produce. From incredibly detailed worlds, to characters that look and move like real people, CGI has allowed filmmakers to bring their stories to life in ways that were never before possible.
Here is a list of 30 movies that demonstrate the best use of CGI to date, along with a brief movie summary, MPAA rating, box office collections, and year of release.
Here are the 30 movies with best CGI to check out on the streaming service.
1. Avatar (2009)
Avatar (2009): Directed by James Cameron, Avatar tells the story of a paraplegic Marine who is sent to the distant world of Pandora to battle an alien race. The movie was praised for its groundbreaking use of performance capture and its stunning visual effects, earning it an Academy Award for Best Cinematography. MPAA rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $2.78 billion, Year of Release: 2009.
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003): The third installment of Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy, The Return of the King follows the journey of Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring as they attempt to destroy the One Ring and defeat the dark lord Sauron. The movie was praised for its stunning visuals, earning it 11 Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $1.12 billion, Year of Release: 2003.
3. The Lion King (1994)
The Lion King (1994): This classic Disney animated feature tells the story of young Simba, who must come to terms with his destiny as the future king of the Pride Lands. The movie was praised for its groundbreaking use of computer animation and its stunning visuals, earning it two Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: G, Box Office Collection: $968.5 million, Year of Release: 1994.
4. Jurassic Park (1993)
Jurassic Park (1993): Directed by Steven Spielberg, Jurassic Park follows a group of scientists and visitors as they explore a wildlife park populated by cloned dinosaurs. The movie was praised for its revolutionary use of computer-generated imagery, earning it three Academy Awards for its visuals. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $914.7 million, Year of Release: 1993.
5. The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix (1999): The Matrix follows the story of Neo, who learns the truth about the world he lives in and must fight to save humanity from the machines that enslave it. The movie was praised for its groundbreaking use of bullet-time, as well as its stunning visual effects, earning it four Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: R, Box Office Collection: $463.5 million, Year of Release: 1999.
6. Inception (2010)
Inception (2010): Directed by Christopher Nolan, Inception follows a team of elite criminals as they attempt to pull off the ultimate heist. The movie was praised for its innovative use of special effects, earning it four Academy Award nominations. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $828.3 million, Year of Release: 2010.
7. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012): The first installment in Peter Jackson’s epic prequel trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows Bilbo Baggins as he embarks on a quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. The movie was praised for its stunning visuals, earning it an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $1.02 billion, Year of Release: 2012.
8. Toy Story (1995)
Toy Story (1995): The first fully computer-animated feature film, Toy Story follows the adventures of a group of toys that come to life when their owner is not around. The movie was praised for its groundbreaking use of computer animation, earning it three Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: G, Box Office Collection: $373.6 million, Year of Release: 1995.
9. The Avengers (2012)
The Avengers (2012): The Avengers brings together a team of superheroes to save the world from destruction. The movie was praised for its stunning visual effects, earning it an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $1.52 billion, Year of Release: 2012.
10. Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005)
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005): This Nickelodeon animated series follows the adventures of a young Avatar as he attempts to master the elements and restore balance to the world. The series was praised for its stunning visuals and use of animation, earning it an Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program. MPAA Rating: TV-Y7, Box Office Collection: N/A, Year of Release: 2005.
11. Frozen (2013)
Frozen (2013): This Disney animated feature follows the story of Anna and Elsa, two sisters who must work together to save their kingdom from eternal winter. The movie was praised for its stunning visuals, as well as its innovative use of computer animation, earning it two Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: PG, Box Office Collection: $1.27 billion, Year of Release: 2013.
12. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977): The first installment of George Lucas’ iconic space opera, A New Hope follows the journey of Luke Skywalker as he attempts to save the galaxy from the evil Empire. The movie was praised for its revolutionary use of special effects and its stunning visuals, earning it six Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: PG, Box Office Collection: $775.4 million, Year of Release: 1977.
13. The Jungle Book (2016)
The Jungle Book (2016): Directed by Jon Favreau, The Jungle Book follows the story of Mowgli, an orphaned boy who must learn the lessons of the jungle and find his place in the world. The movie was praised for its incredibly detailed use of CGI and its stunning visuals, earning it an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: PG, Box Office Collection: $966.6 million, Year of Release: 2016.
14. Gravity (2013)
Gravity (2013): Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity follows the story of two astronauts as they attempt to survive in the hostile environment of space. The movie was praised for its revolutionary use of computer-generated imagery, earning it seven Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $723.2 million, Year of Release: 2013.
15. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015): Directed by George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road follows the story of a group of post-apocalyptic survivors as they attempt to escape the tyrannical rule of Immortan Joe. The movie was praised for its groundbreaking use of practical effects, as well as its stunning visuals, earning it six Academy Award nominations. MPAA Rating: R, Box Office Collection: $378.9 million, Year of Release: 2015.
16. District 9 (2009)
District 9 (2009): Directed by Neill Blomkamp, District 9 follows a bureaucrat as he is forced to relocate an alien race in a South African slum. The movie was praised for its innovative use of special effects, earning it an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: R, Box Office Collection: $210.8 million, Year of Release: 2009.
17. The Incredibles (2004)
The Incredibles (2004): This Pixar animated feature follows the adventures of a family of superheroes as they attempt to save the world from evil. The movie was praised for its groundbreaking use of computer animation, earning it two Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: PG, Box Office Collection: $633.4 million, Year of Release: 2004.
18. Star Trek (2009)
Star Trek (2009): Directed by J.J. Abrams, Star Trek follows the crew of the USS Enterprise as they explore the galaxy and battle a vengeful Romulan from the future. The movie was praised for its innovative use of special effects, earning it an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $385.7 million, Year of Release: 2009.
19. The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight (2008): Directed by Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight follows Batman as he attempts to save Gotham City from the Joker’s terror. The movie was praised for its groundbreaking use of special effects, earning it two Academy Award nominations. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $1.005 billion, Year of Release: 2008.
20. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Spider-Man 2 (2004): The second installment of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, Spider-Man 2 follows the web-slinging superhero as he battles Doctor Octopus and attempts to balance his life as a hero and a civilian. The movie was praised for its groundbreaking use of computer-generated imagery, earning it an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $783.8 million, Year of Release: 2004.
21. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Directed by David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button follows a man who is born in the twilight years of his life and must live his life in reverse. The movie was praised for its innovative use of visual effects, earning it three Academy Awards. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $333.6 million, Year of Release: 2008.
22. Transformers (2007)
Transformers (2007): Directed by Michael Bay, Transformers follows a group of robotic aliens as they battle to save the world from destruction. The movie was praised for its groundbreaking use of CGI, earning it three Academy Award nominations. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $708.2 million, Year of Release: 2007.
23. I, Robot (2004)
I, Robot (2004): Directed by Alex Proyas, I, Robot follows a detective as he investigates a murder involving a robot and battles a powerful artificial intelligence. The movie was praised for its revolutionary use of CGI, earning it an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $347.2 million, Year of Release: 2004.
24. Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man (2008): Directed by Jon Favreau, Iron Man follows the story of Tony Stark as he must protect the world from a powerful terrorist organization. The movie was praised for its groundbreaking use of CGI, earning it an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $585.2 million, Year of Release: 2008.
25. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002): The second installment of Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy, The Two Towers follows the journey of Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring as they continue their quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat Sauron. The movie was praised for its groundbreaking use of computer-generated imagery, earning it six Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $926.5 million, Year of Release: 2002.
26. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): Directed by James Gunn, Guardians of the Galaxy follows a group of misfits as they attempt to save the galaxy from a powerful villain. The movie was praised for its innovative use of visual effects, earning it an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $773.3 million, Year of Release: 2014.
27. The Terminator (1984)
The Terminator (1984): Directed by James Cameron, The Terminator follows a cyborg assassin as he attempts to kill a woman whose unborn son will become humanity’s savior. The movie was praised for its groundbreaking use of special effects, earning it an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: R, Box Office Collection: $78.3 million, Year of Release: 1984.
28. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003): Directed by Gore Verbinski, The Curse of the Black Pearl follows a group of pirates as they attempt to break an ancient curse. The movie was praised for its innovative use of CGI, earning it an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $654.3 million, Year of Release: 2003.
29. Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014): The fourth installment of Michael Bay’s Transformers series, Age of Extinction follows the Autobots as they battle a new enemy and attempt to save the world from destruction. The movie was praised for its groundbreaking use of CGI, earning it two Academy Award nominations. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $1.104 billion, Year of Release: 2014.
30. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013): The second installment in Peter Jackson’s epic prequel trilogy, The Desolation of Smaug follows Bilbo Baggins as he continues his quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. The movie was praised for its stunning visuals, earning it an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. MPAA Rating: PG-13, Box Office Collection: $960.4 million, Year of Release: 2013.
CGI has allowed filmmakers to tell their stories in ways that were never before possible, and these 30 movies showcase some of the best examples of CGI to date. From revolutionary uses of performance capture and computer animation, to stunning visuals and groundbreaking special effects, these movies demonstrate why CGI is such an important tool in the filmmaking process.