Buzz
Special effects continue to evolve at an incredible pace, and they represent just one of the many obstacles filmmakers face in bringing their visions to life. When it comes to creating monstrous creatures, filmmakers have relied on various techniques. In earlier years, suits, puppets, and miniatures were essential tools for bringing these larger-than-life creatures into existence. While these methods had their limitations, they offered tangible elements on screen, making the creatures feel more believable. However, with technological advancements, a major transformation began.
Increasingly, filmmakers are turning to computer-generated imagery (CGI) to create monsters in a fully digital environment. This new approach unlocks exciting possibilities, allowing filmmakers to conjure any creature they desire and integrate it seamlessly into real-world footage. It also gives classic monsters a fluidity they never had in the past. Yet, the transition to digital isn't always perfect. Some CGI updates fall short, with low-quality textures, awkward movements, or lackluster presentations. Just like with practical effects, CGI creatures require meticulous care and craftsmanship. Without it, the audience may reject the fake creatures and yearn for the more immersive originals.
10. King Kong
It’s striking how a massive creature like King Kong was once merely a small action figure. Towering over the other creatures of Skull Island, this colossal ape dominates the island, fiercely battling the prehistoric inhabitants that roam it. In the original 1933 film, the epic battles were brought to life using stop-motion animation, where tiny models were photographed frame by frame and then pieced together. Subsequent films in the 1960s and ’70s experimented with animatronics and actors donning gorilla suits. It wasn’t until the 2000s that a dramatic shift occurred, with CGI bringing Kong to life in a new and astonishing way.
Kong made a powerful return in the 2000s, leading to a number of notable projects. The most iconic among them was the 2005 remake of the 1933 classic, but his later appearances were part of epic crossovers with other legendary monsters. What tied these depictions together was the heavy use of CGI. Specifically, Kong’s movements were captured through motion capture technology, allowing actors’ actions to be translated onto the digital ape. While he lost some of the raw, tangible presence he once had, this new Kong displayed a depth of emotion previously unseen, enabling viewers to empathize with him in unprecedented ways. Ultimately, this was the true essence of the character.
9. Godzilla
Godzilla, the king of all monsters, has a rich and tumultuous history. Born from nuclear radiation, this enormous reptilian creature can devastate cities with ease and withstand most conventional weapons. His most iconic attack is his atomic breath, which reduces everything in its path to smoldering ruins. To properly capture such apocalyptic destruction, filmmakers had to come up with a new, creative way of filming.
With limited resources and time, the filmmakers of the original Godzilla movie couldn’t use stop-motion techniques, so they created a man-sized rubber suit to embody the massive creature, placing the actor in front of miniature cityscapes. This innovative approach became the hallmark of kaiju films and set the tone for the franchise for many years. It wasn’t until more recent films that the method was adapted.
By the time the 2000 Godzilla film came around, CGI was used to bring the radioactive monster to life on-screen. Initially, the technology was only used sparingly, but over time, the creators fully embraced it, moving away from the rubber suits. Despite this shift, the spirit of Godzilla remained intact, with the creature’s size and movements still echoing the design of an upright human. In movies like Shin Godzilla, motion capture was used to replicate the lumbering, imposing movements of the original monster, blending the new technologies with the old-school menace of the creature.
8. Xenomorphs
In the vastness of space, there are no visible seams in the terrifying xenomorph suit. This alien creature is often referred to as a ‘perfect species.’ It lays eggs in its victims, which hatch and burst from their chest, growing at a terrifying rate before slaughtering anything in their path. Beyond its deadly intelligence, the xenomorph is also infamous for its acidic blood, which ensures that anyone attempting to kill it will be injured in the process. In the first two Alien films, these deadly beings were brought to life through a combination of puppets and suits, with shadows and close-up shots cleverly obscuring any potential flaws in the design. However, they couldn't remain in the shadows forever.
As the Alien franchise continued, the xenomorphs multiplied into full-fledged armies. Over time, practical effects were replaced with CGI, which varied in quality throughout the films. Unfortunately, the brightly lit scenes and over-the-top set pieces often diminished the terrifying atmosphere, making the xenomorphs lose some of their once-feared physical presence. The shift away from practical effects never allowed the creatures to regain the palpable dread they once evoked.
7. The Thing
Sometimes, the true horrors are those lurking in our own backyard. The Thing is an alien lifeform lying dormant beneath the icy surface of the Arctic, waiting for the right moment to awaken. Once it does, it possesses and absorbs any living organism it encounters. As a defense mechanism, it can grotesquely morph its host into disturbing new forms, though it prefers to remain hidden, assuming the guise of a perfect doppelganger. This strategy meant that much of the 1982 film featured normal-looking actors, with the creature’s horrific transformations only becoming visible in rare moments. These transformations were made using groundbreaking animatronics, and before the audience could fully comprehend what they were seeing, the creature would retreat back into the shadows. Interestingly, this restrained approach to horror was a relatively new development in film.
The 2011 prequel largely followed the same formula as its predecessor, with one notable difference: the Thing was far more prominently displayed. It was no longer lurking in the shadows but instead was fully visible in well-lit settings, constantly emerging in all its grotesque tentacled form. Now a digital monstrosity, it looked horribly unconvincing. It was hard to believe that this creature could even come close to threatening the characters, let alone take their lives.
6. Dracula
Dracula, one of the most ancient movie monsters, required minimal special effects to be terrifying. He remains the archetypal vampire, his magnetic charm luring victims close enough for him to drain their blood and preserve his youth. When seduction fails, Dracula's superior strength and command over creatures make him nearly unstoppable. Early portrayals relied on simple tricks such as fake fangs or bats on strings to convey these powers, but such methods were not enough to truly capture his menace.
Modern filmmakers, eager to showcase Dracula's full range of abilities, have taken a more extravagant approach. Recent adaptations, like Dracula Untold, have depicted him transforming into swarms of bats and single-handedly annihilating entire armies. While these sequences appear impressive and the chaotic visuals often obscure the CGI, they ultimately overshadow the subtle horror that once defined the character.
5. The Mummy
Despite its horrifying origins, the mummy should be one of the easiest horror icons to bring to life. An Egyptian priest returns from the dead through an ancient curse. His decayed body remains tightly wrapped in ceremonial bandages, but he is impervious to almost any attack as he slowly advances toward his victims. This sense of unavoidable doom was enough for early films, where actors shuffled around in bandaged suits. Essentially, they were Egyptian zombies. However, later films sought to enhance this image.
The Mummy remakes from 1999 and 2017 both endowed their undead antagonists with devastating powers. Gone were the bandages, replaced by ghastly flesh stretched to grotesque lengths. On top of that, these villains could summon swarms of scarabs, conjure towering sandstorms, and unleash devastating plagues. All of these abilities were CGI effects layered over the actors' performances. While the exaggerated visuals and glossy textures weren't the most convincing, the '90s version could be forgiven. It leaned more into adventure than pure horror, which allowed it to avoid the need for true terror.
4. The Wolfman
Just as famous as Dracula is the Wolfman. His portrayal was similarly straightforward in the 1941 classic. Cursed by a wolf, he retains his humanoid form even after transforming. The only difference is his wolf-like head, lethal claws, and furry body, which come with an uncontrollable urge to kill, making him an unpredictable menace. To create this fearsome creature, all that was needed were masks, gloves, and prosthetics. Those simpler days are now long past.
Filmmakers soon focused more on the wolf than the man. Werewolves continued to appear in fantasy franchises like Harry Potter and Twilight, where they were depicted in increasingly monstrous forms. Some transformations just turned them into giant dogs. Naturally, these were computer-generated creations, with the quality depending on the film. The more brightly lit scenes often showed the worst results. A refreshing change came with the 2010 Wolfman remake, which returned to the traditional masked approach and outshone its competitors.
3. Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs may have once roamed the Earth, but their real-life existence doesn't make them any less awe-inspiring. These prehistoric giants remain some of Hollywood's most iconic movie monsters. From the earliest days of cinema, these enormous reptiles have terrified audiences with their immense size and overwhelming strength. A variety of techniques have been used to bring these titans back to life, ranging from stop-motion animation to animatronics and full-body costumes. But one particular film changed the game forever.
That film was Jurassic Park. While it kept the classic animatronics for close-up shots, it broke new ground by using groundbreaking digital effects for wide shots. The lifelike texture of their skin and the smooth movement of their muscles created creatures that felt real. This innovation set a new standard, leading filmmakers to abandon older techniques and fully embrace the digital age. Soon after, digital dinosaurs began to appear everywhere—in movies, TV shows, and documentaries. Although these effects rarely looked poor, the finest examples were those that combined digital effects with traditional animatronics. These hybrid creations felt tangible, as if you could touch them before they were even finished rendering.
2. The Kraken
The ocean hides many unknown dangers, but none are more terrifying than the Kraken. This massive squid has been haunting sailors' imaginations for centuries, and it’s easy to see why. Movies like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea depicted this beast as a giant killer that would attack unsuspecting ships. Its long, powerful tentacles could drag an entire vessel down to the ocean floor, and its massive body lurking beneath the water made it nearly impossible to defeat. Early filmmakers could get away with not fully showing the creature, offering only glimpses of the tentacles, often achieved through a mix of stop-motion and wirework. Naturally, this solution couldn't last forever.
CGI eventually brought the Kraken to life in all its monstrous splendor. As expected, the results varied. Films like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest wisely kept the beast mostly submerged, sparing the special effects team from overloading the visuals and preserving the fear through its unseen nature. Unfortunately, films like the Clash of the Titans remake made the Kraken emerge from the ocean. By then, it became just another semi-realistic creature. In the end, it was clear: the Kraken was better off remaining in the depths.
1. The Terminator
There is no fake but what we make. Terminators are cybernetic assassins—human in appearance, but beneath their skin lies a cold, metallic endoskeleton. They use their human-like exteriors to infiltrate society and get close to their targets. Once they locate their prey, these lethal machines execute their mission with deadly efficiency and without hesitation.
The Terminator films used real actors to convey the chilling precision of these cyborg killers. However, early installments had to get creative when these machines suffered damage. Prosthetics worked for minor wounds, but more severe injuries required animatronics and stop-motion techniques. Over time, CGI began to make its way into the mix, but practical effects were always an essential component of the films.
Terminator Genisys and Dark Fate took a different path by embracing full-scale digital effects. The cyborgs in these films heavily relied on liquid metal and nanotechnology, leaving little room for practical effects. The action sequences became more explosive, but even the minimal damage on the Terminators' human-like flesh was done using CGI. Unfortunately, this shift made the creatures appear weightless and disconnected from their organic parts. It’s a tragic irony that the terrifying robots were fully created in a computer.
