The 10 Worst CGI Moments in Otherwise Great Movies, Ranked

CGI

By Ryan Irwin

Published Feb 9, 2025

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Image via Lucasfilm

Computer Generated Imagery dates all the way back to Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo where the visionary director utilized abstract graphics and imagery for the title's opening credits sequence. In the nearly 70 years since, CGI, as it has come to be known, has increased in quality and usage, now being found in nearly every major film released and being able to replicate dynamic action sequences, fantasy spectacles, and even entire characters. Generations of filmmakers such as James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, and Peter Jackson have embraced digital effects and created stunning visuals with the technology, using CGI to create truly classic films.

Still, the intent of the first CGI effect in Vertigo was not spectacle but uneasiness. Hitchcock and graphics artist John Whitney recognized the computer's ability to make images that felt instinctively uncanny and alien to the human eye, and nearly seven decades later this very quality of CGI is still discussed every single year. Whether it be a singular moment or an entire film's worth of poor effects, when digital effects are used poorly they not only look horrible to the human eye but are immediately clocked by the audience's subconscious. The effects in Jurassic Park hold up better than Jurassic World for this very reason. Even if a viewer can't explain why they don't like a visual, they can still tell that it is just off. As computer-generated imagery shows no signs of slowing down many films will be cursed to live in the uncanny valley forever, but even worse than those are the great films that stop by for a bit, and nearly derail their entire existence.

10 Final Battle

'Black Panther' (2018) - Directed by Ryan Coogler

Black Panther and Killmonger fight in a subterranean train station in Black Panther — Image via Marvel Studios

Recently the Marvel Cinematic Universe and superhero films as a whole have garnered a reputation for poor quality or rushed CGI. Effects like floating heads in Thor: Love and Thunder, and Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness, obviously fake creature design in The Marvels, and the quantum realms....everything in Antman and the Wasp Quantummania, have become go-to references for some of the worst CGI in film in general. This downturn in visual quality seems to correspond with a general downward trend for the MCU as a whole. Not only are the effects worse looking, but the films are less interesting and less profitable and the two issues feed one another. However, even during the MCU's heyday, and in some of their best-received films, this slippage in CGI was already visible.

Black Panther is one of the MCU's greatest films by nearly any measure. The film grossed over a billion dollars worldwide, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, and is generally regarded as some of the franchise's best in both storytelling and acting. The one blemish that everyone agrees on the film has forever is it's final battle. While Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan have undeniably compelling interplay as T'Challa and Kilmonger this final confrontation is not between them but instead between PS2-era models that resemble them. The look, the movement, and the color of nearly this entire battle is not only off but unfinished. This comical battle is sandwiched between compelling and introspective conversations between the two characters, making its cartoonish movement and pacing all the more painful.

9 Dinosaur Stampede

'King Kong' (2005) - Directed by Peter Jackson

Jack Black runs from dinosaurs in King Kong — Image via Universal Pictures

2005's King Kong is the best remake of the original 1933 epic and served simultaneously a beautiful homage to the original classic and as a much-needed modern upgrade. Helmed by Peter Jackson, the visionary director fresh off the multi-multi-Oscar award-winning The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King, this reimagining of Skull Island and its inhabitants presented the director with a perfect opportunity to continue to flex his prowess in worldbuilding and visual effects. For the most part, King Kong delivers on this premise with gusto. The film is filled with fantastic set-pieces which showcase the untamed and wild nature of Skull Island and suck the viewer into the idea of a land that simultaneously feels distant and mythical yet close enough to touch. Jackson planned on going even further with this world-building, but, luckily, he didn't with the film already stretching at over 3 hours...and the limitations of his prowess beginning to show.

The segment that nearly breaks the amazing illusion of Skull Island is the film's infamous dinosaur stampede. This sequence features Jack Black, Adrien Brody and a host of their fellow adventurers having several nail-biting encounters as they get caught against a tide of oncoming dinos in a narrow crevasse. Or at least the segment is supposed to be nail-biting. A combination of incredibly poor green screen and way more CGI dinosaurs than the VFX team was prepared to handle makes for a sequence filled with laughable images such as dinos which rapidly shift in size, a CGI Adrien Brody kicking a velociraptor, and Jack Black on a backdrop so fake a local weatherman wouldn't use it. King Kong is a masterpiece and undeniably one of the greatest epics of the 21st century, but at over 3 hours long there was some room to trim. This is the scene that should have been trimmed.

8 Doc Ock Grabs M.J.

'Spider-Man 2' (2004) - Directed by Sam Raimi

A CGI Doc Ock Kidnaps M.J. played by Kirsten Dunst in Spider-Man 2 — Sony Pictures

Spider-Man 2 is often regarded as one of the best, if not the best superhero film of all time and it is by all accounts a well-earned title. The film manages to deliver fantastic action, a gripping story and genuine emotions, all without ever feeling the need to downplay or sacrifice its comic book roots. Spider-Man 2 showcased that superhero films could succeed with all audiences and be taken seriously by viewers without needing to deny the campier or goofier elements that make superheroes so interesting in the first place. Director Sam Raimi understood his source material from the outset and combined iconic performances from Tobey Maguire, Alfred Molina, and Kirsten Dunst with his own visual effects prowess to bring the action and magic of Spider-Man to life in a film that far exceeded even the first.

Of course, like any bit of magic, there are rare instances where cracks in the trick begin to show and in Spider-man 2 these cracks arrive in the form of the film's CGI models. During several moments throughout the film including the film's climax and iconic train sequence Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus are entirely CGI, and while the models are far from subtle, the kinetic pace of the action and spot-on editing is usually enough to hide any issues. The same can not be said for the kidnapping of MJ. For a few seconds after Doc Ock picks up MJ both Alfred Molina and Kirsten Dunst are replaced with the film's roughest and shoddiest CGI creations. To compound, the camera lingers on the uncanny motion of these characters for way too long allowing the audience ample time to analyze exactly what is off about the scene.

7 Tentacles

'The Thing' (2011) - Directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

Simultaneously, a reboot and a prequel, 2011's The Thing tells the story of a group of Norweigan researchers who make first contact with a mysterious alien and must attempt to survive the disastrous body horror which follows. As a story that builds upon a beloved cult classic the film does an admirable job, Director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. and the cast led by Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Joel Edgerton, do a great job of conveying the incomprehensible terror that the creature itself and the subsequent suspicion and doubt can provide. Where the film falters in comparison to John Carpenter's original however, is in swapping out innovative and groundbreaking practical effects for crude and unnecessary CGI.

1982's The Thing, is a masterclass of prop design, special effects, and cinematic wizardry that is still influential to this very day. Despite being made with the intention to use modern practical effects and being mostly completed in this manner, the 2011 version of The Thing had nearly all of its creature moments painted over with CGI in post-production. The human brain is exceptionally well-tuned at recognizing tangibility. This means that an audience will nearly always feel more of an emotional reaction to something real in a scene than to something digitally added, even if the real effect is of low quality. This dissonance is particularly noteworthy whenever the alien in the film uses its tentacles to attack. Strings flail around from the beast with no weight or logic to them and when they impact humans they leave perfect round holes and a small smear of digital blood.

6 Sidewalk Beating

'The Irishman' (2019) - Directed by Martin Scorsese

Robert Denior as Frank Sheeran beating a man on the sidewalk in The Irishman (2019) — Netflix

A recent trend in VFX has been that of digital de-aging. Recent films such as The Marvels, Gemini Man, and Logan have made extensive use of this technology, showcasing digitally restored versions of Samuel L. Jackson, Will Smith, and Hugh Jackman, for extended periods of time with varying levels of success. The most ambitious film to tackle this experiment has been Martin Scorsese's The Irishman. Filmed with a trio of actors (Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci) all firmly in their 70s The Irishman uses CGI smoothing and facial reconstruction to portray these men at various ages down to their mid-30s.

In many ways, the film is a triumph of effects, as the heavy use of facial editing is mostly seamless and non-intrusive for much of the film's runtime. In a few moments, however, the limitations of technology begin to heavily show. While Robert De Niro's face is altered into that of a younger man, the rest of his body remains the same, and he still moves like a 70-year-old. Awkward walking, hunched posture, and slow movements are a fixture in The Irishman, and of particular note is an egregious scene in which De Niro's character assaults a local shop owner. In the context of the film, this scene is meant to showcase the character's passion and violent nature, but in actuality, it serves as the moment the film's effects break for the audience. The jerky movements and wavering facial effects firmly push this scene through the uncanny valley and into the realm of outright comedy.

5 Agent Smith Fight

'The Matrix Reloaded' (2003) Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski

While not as instantly iconic and influential as its predecessor The Matrix Reloaded has carved out its own legacy in the history of film. While The Matrix is remembered for its thought-provoking critiques of society, capitalism, and conformity, The Matrix Reloaded has built its identity around being a fantastic action movie. Though they often overextend, Lana and Lily Wachowski have showcased incredible ambition in the world of effects through films like The Matrix, Speed Racer, and Jupiter Ascending. The Matrix Reloaded features some if the duo's most dynamic and successful set-pieces, such as the films iconic highway chase sequence which seamlessly blends digital and practical techniques.

Unfortunately for the sci-fi sequel, not every action sequence is as fondly remembered. While featuring great choreography Neo's battle with multiple agent Smiths near the middle of the film has been mocked for over 20 years for featuring some astonishingly low-quality models. The fight begins fine enough, but as more and more copies of Hugo Weaving enter the fray, the digital rendering on these characters and Keanu Reeves' Neo begin to look worse and worse, leading countless viewers to joke that the matrix itself is running out of processing power. A similar battle in the following Matrix Revolutions would feature worse choreography but overall better lighting, and models, making this battle in part 2 even worse in hindsight.

4 The Plane Crash

'Air Force One' (1997) - Directed by Wolfgang Peterson

A plane narrowly escapes an explosion in Air Force One — Image via Sony Pictures

Animals creatures and especially people are notoriously hard to recreate via CGI. Not only are specific human movements the hardest thing to digitally recreate but they are also the very thing that audience member's brains are best trained to sense. This is the reason that while VFX artists have only recently begun to create well-received digital creatures, CGI has been used to recreate much easier objects, damage, and explosions as far back as the 1970s. The commonality and relative ease of CGI wreckage is what makes the finale of 1997's Air Force One all the more shocking and appalling.

Air Force One is a classic thriller following in the bottle location footsteps of Die Hard. The hook this time being that the location is the titular Air Force One and the hero is none other than the President of the United States, played expertly by the legendary Harrison Ford. The moment 80% of a film is set on a plane the audience locks in and expects a big crash. Air Force One delivers on the action any good thriller promises, and even manages to throw in some genuine emotional beats thanks to Ford, and costars Wendy Crewson, Liesel Matthews and Gary Oldman, where the film massively fails however is in that crash. For 1997, this plane crash was horrible and, by today's standards, it is downright laughable. Air Force One is a stellar thriller, but its worst moment comes right when it should be peaking.

3 There's a Troll in the Dungeons

'Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone' (2001) - Directed by Chris Columbus

The troll from Harry Potter, with Ron's wand stuck in its nose — Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

The original 2 Harry Potter films directed by Chris Columbus brought Hogwarts to life as a world of whimsy, wonder, and genuine magic in a way that captivated the minds of millions and was undeniably crucial to the franchise's monster success. Columbus utilized a mix of practical and digital effects, alongside dedicated and beautiful set design to make the intricate halls, haunting forests, and cozy dormitories of Hogwarts Castle into a place that many still long to visit 24 years later. Unfortunately for Columbus, however, the world of Harry Potter is filled with creatures' actions and locations which simply can't be filmed in reality and have to be molded from scratch, and it is in these fantastical elements that Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, bit off more than it can chew.

The CGI on several creatures seems rough by today's standards, and the green screen for segments such as Harry's quidditch match is shockingly bad upon a rewatch, however, the film's roughest visual moment comes when Harry and Ron rescue Hermione from the Troll in the bathroom. Filmed in bright lighting and constantly physically interacting with actors this troll looks clearly out of place and incredibly rough. The effect looks particularly bad when Harry climbs upon the creature's back, necessitating a fully CGI Daniel Radcliffe who whips around uncontrollably in movements that are far outside the realm of actual physics. While the childlike wonder and instant chemistry between Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, still makes the scene enjoyable, it's recommended not to look directly at the troll.

2 The Cave Troll

'Lord of The Rings The Fellowship of The Ring' (2001)- Directed by Peter Jackson

Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins faces off against a cave troll in The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring — New Line Cinema

Over 20 years after their release Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films remain reference-quality technical marvels. The director utilized a seemingly perfect blend of cinematography, hand-built sets and props, and digital enhancement to make the world of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle Earth come to life in a way that had previously been thought impossible by even the book's most ardent fans. The Lord of The Rings Trilogy dominated the technical categories at the Oscars during the years of their release and not only the clear skill and prowess but the love and care put into these elements is still visible 2 decades later....that is except for the Cave Troll.

Midway through the trilogy's inaugural film The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the titular alliance finds itself in battle with a cave troll, and unlike later CGI creations like Gollum or the Ents depicted in The Two Towers, this beast is decidedly less impressive. Not only do the visual effects take a sudden dip during this sequence, but the masterful cinematography that minimizes similar errors throughout the rest of the trilogy also drops off the map. The fully CGI troll awkwardly pokes its head forward, looks directly into the camera, and lunges at the lens as if it is part of 3D video attached to an amusement park ride. The Lord of the Rings was thought too fantastical and imaginative to be properly filmed without looking like it is purely for the youngest of children, and for one sequence, and only one sequence, this fear was perhaps proven right.

1 Jabba The Hut

'Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope' (1977) - Directed by George Lucas

Jabba the Hutt intimidates Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope — Image via Lucasfilm

When George Lucas' classic film was released in 1977 it was lauded for using incredibly detailed model work and inventive cinematography to make the fantastical galaxy far far away feel viscerally real and tangible. Seeing the scuff marks on ships, and the damage done to weathered sets provided Star Wars with a lived-in feeling that contrasted the overly sleek and obviously fake look of other sci-fi films. George Lucas remained an innovator of effects however, and as CGI progressed he saw the opportunity not only to use the technology for new projects like the upcoming Phantom Menace but also to tinker with and "fix" the original Star Wars films themselves. Once dupped the 'special editions', Lucas' updated versions have in actuality become the default for release on Blu-ray, streaming, or even DVD, If you have seen Star Wars over the past 25 years it was likely this version.

These reissues are notorious for their use of additional CGI which stands out like a sore thumb. These changes include the extended musical at Jabba's Palace in Return of the Jedi, and the addition of Hayden Christianson as a Force Ghost. The most clunky and obvious is the addition of Jabba the Hut meeting with Han Solo in A New Hope. This was an original-deleted scene shot long before Jabba was designed as an alien slug which has had a human actor cgi'd over with an extremely rough model of the Huttese crimelord. This fact becomes painfully obvious as Harrison Ford interacts with the model. Han's hand clips through Jabba multiple times, and when he walks around him, Harrison Ford's entire body must be digitally jerked up to make it appear he has stepped on the hut's tail. Overall the scene is not only terrible in appearance but, much like Boba Fett who is also poorly added via green screen, adds absolutely nothing to the story.