Timeline of CGI in movies Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Pioneering uses of computer-generated imagery in film and television:
| Film | Year | Notes | Sample image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westworld | 1973 | First use of 2D computer digitized images as part of a feature film (infrared point of view of Gunslinger robot in Westworld). | |
| Futureworld | 1976 | Used 2D digital compositing to materialize characters over a background. | |
| 1977 | First use of 3D CGI for the trench run briefing sequence. | ||
| Superman | 1978 | First CGI film titles. | |
| Alien | 1979 | Used 3D wireframe rendering for navigation monitors in the landing sequence. | |
| The Black Hole | 1979 | Disney uses CGI for the opening titles. | |
| Looker | 1981 | First CGI human character, Cindy. First use of shaded 3D CGI as we think of it today. | |
| 1982 | ILM computer graphics division develops "Genesis effect". | ||
| Tron | 1982 | Extensive use of 3D CGI including the famous Light Cycle sequence. | |
| 1984 | CGI was used to create thousands of monoliths for the end sequence. | ||
| The Last Starfighter | 1984 | Uses CGI for all spaceship shots, replacing traditional models. First use of 'integrated CGI' where the effects are supposed to represent real world objects. | |
| The Adventures of Andre and Wally B | 1984 | Lucasfilm's computer animation division creates an all-CGI animated short. The first CGI animation with motion blur effects. | |
| Lensman (SF Shinseiki Lensman) | 1984 | First anime to use CGI. | |
| Young Sherlock Holmes | 1985 | Lucasfilm creates the first photorealistic CGI character, 'stained glass knight'. | |
| The Great Mouse Detective | 1986 | First major use of computer animation in an animated film, the depiction of Big Ben's gears. | |
| Luxo Jr | 1986 | Pixar's first fully 3D animated short film. First use of shadows in CGI. First CGI film to be nominated for an Academy award. | |
| Max Headroom | 1987 | Computer-mediated live action figure. | |
| Willow | 1988 | Uses morphing in a feature film. | |
| The Abyss | 1989 | First digital water. | |
| Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade | 1989 | First all-digital composite. | |
| Total Recall | 1990 | Use of motion capture for CGI characters. | |
| 1990 | First digitally-manipulated matte painting. | ||
| Terminator 2 | 1991 | First realistic human movements on a CG character. | |
| Lawnmower Man | 1992 | ||
| Death Becomes Her | 1992 | First human skin CG software. | |
| Jurassic Park | 1993 | First realistic CG characters that did not look like CG. | |
| Babylon 5 | 1993 | First television series to use CGI as the primary method for its visual effects. | |
| The Flintstones | 1994 | First digital hair. | |
| ReBoot | 1994 | First computer animated television series. | |
| Waterworld | 1995 | First realistic CG water. | |
| Toy Story | 1995 | First CGI feature-length animation. | |
| 1999 | First CGI character ever to interact realistically with live actors. | ||
| 2001 | First realistic feature-length CGI movie. | ||
| 2002 | First use of AI for digital actors. | ||
| The Matrix Revolutions | 2003 | First realistic CGI punch in the face. | |
| Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow | 2004 | First movie with all-CGI backgrounds and live actors. | |
| The Polar Express | 2004 | First CGI movie that used performance capture for all actors. |
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