Blog

Gone are the days when animation involved hand-drawn illustrations and simple stop-motion techniques. Today's animated features have gone high-tech, using purely computer-generated graphics to capture the viewers' attention and hearts. Find out which CGI-driven movies have withstood the test of time—perfect for a weekend binge!
 

Computer-generated imagery uses computer graphics to produce visual material for different media forms like films, digital art and video games. Before, it was mainly used for visual effects or environments too difficult or dangerous to replicate in real life. Scenes that involve explosions or breathtaking stunts typically use CGI to boost their visual storytelling.

While video games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong influenced the development of CGI in the 1980s, Pixar released its first short film, "Luxo Jr.", which used full CGI animation in 1986. In 1995, the US-based computer animation film studio made history again by releasing "Toy Story", the first-ever full-length, fully CGI-animated feature, setting the standard for animated movies. Ever since, Pixar (and other companies) have been producing computer-generated animation, which has become a well-regarded part of the contemporary film and animation industry.

Thanks to ever-evolving technology, CGI has continuously developed through the years, catering to the industry's creative needs while revolutionizing the audience's engagement with visual content.

Also read: 10 Things You Need for Digital Art

10 must-watch CGI-animated films

Schedule a fun weekend to watch these CGI-animated films, hailed some of the best by critics and reviews from the web. While our list contains oldies but goodies worth a rewatch, you may discover new ones to add to your favorites. Get the popcorn ready as you get lost in the worlds of these most-loved and must-see computer-generated animated movies!

1. Toy Story (1995)

You can never go wrong with the film that started the CGI animation revolution and a franchise that spawned four movies. Toy Story combined the best of high-tech animation and stellar storytelling, led by characters Woody and Buzz Lightyear, who were voiced by premium actors Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, respectively. 

In terms of CGI animation, Toy Story was undeniably a trailblazer, proving what the genre can achieve. Visual details were well thought out, and the storyline was equally heartfelt and engaging, making its make-believe world and computer-generated characters feel lifelike and relatable. 

2. Finding Nemo (2003)

Another offering from Pixar, this sea-themed movie follows the journey of Marlin, a clown fish, out to find his son Nemo and ends up befriending a forgetful fish named Dory. Finding Nemo showed gorgeous scenes showing the ocean's richness—its creatures, colors, and textures inviting the viewers to dive into the story. While it has many funny moments, it also resonates emotionally, which is why it was the second-highest-grossing movie of the year.

3. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Produced by DreamWorks Animation, this movie is based on a children's book written by Cressida Cowell. To fight off dragons that kept invading the village, Hiccup, a teenaged Viking ends up wounding and befriending a wild dragon. The story displays impeccable writing and excellent animation, making it a hit for moviegoers and critics. It was nominated "Best Animated Feature" at the 83rd Academy Awards.

4. Despicable Me (2010)

Produced by a media franchise created by Spanish animator Sergio Pablos, this movie gave birth to two more films (and another one to be shown in 2024), plus ten short features. The story revolves around Gru, a supervillain who wants to achieve the most evil deed of all—to steal the Moon. However, he adopts three orphaned girls who eat into his time and eventually steals his heart.

5. Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Top comedians John Goodman and Billy Crystal lent their voices to this well-received movie, which centers on James and Mike—top employees at Monsters, Incorporated. Their job is to scare children, gathering their screams to power their home, known as Monstropolis. But all hell breaks loose when a toddler named Boo finds her way into their world. Until Finding Nemo was released two years later, this Pixar movie had the most successful weekend premiere, earning over US$62 million.

6. WALL-E (2008)

Two years after Disney bought Pixar in 2006, the animation company produced WALL-E, directed by Andrew Stanton, the director of Finding Nemo. After successfully and accurately depicting underwater scenes, Stanton was up for running a film primarily in outer space. What made WALL-E unique was that there is very little dialogue in its initial parts. Most characters don't speak but communicate with physical cues and robotic noises. The movie won many awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film.

7. Stand by Me Doraemon (2014)

If you grew up watching anime in the 1980s and 1990s or even earlier, you may have come across Doraemon, a futuristic, robotic cat who travels to the past to help out a kid named Nobita Nobi. The series, which were produced in the 1970s and early 2000s, is based on a Japanese manga series by Fujiko Fujio, first released in 1969. In 2014, the movie Stand by Me Doraemon transitioned to 3D, thanks to CGI. The film succeeded in Japan, clinging to the top of the box office charts for five weeks and winning the Animation of the Year award from the Japan Academy Prize.

8. Coco (2017)

Set in Mexico and inspired by its holiday called Day of the Dead, Coco is about 12-year-old Miguel, who accidentally crosses over to the underworld. Here, he searches high and low for his great-great-grandfather so he can return to the land of the living while lifting the musical ban on his family. Fittingly, the movie was first shown in a film festival in Mexico a few days before Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) and premiered a month later in the US. Coco was critically acclaimed, receiving two Academy Awards and was cited as 2017's Best Animated Film by the National Board of Review.

9. Frozen (2013)

This blockbuster hit from Walt Disney Animation Studios took its cue from a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Snow Queen. In the movie, Princess Anna tries to find her sister Elsa, who accidentally plunged their realm into a perpetual winter. Anna's adventure leads her to befriend an iceman named Hans, his reindeer Sven, and the snowman Olaf. With its stunning visuals and music, some critics have hailed Frozen as one of the best Disney animated films. Its sequel, Frozen II, was released in 2019.

10. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Pixar is reaping all the Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature, but in 2018, this film broke the famous animation company's winning streak since 2011. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduces Miles Morales, its teen protagonist, who turns into Spider-Man. Because of its visual demands, the film's production hired at least 140 animators, which is the biggest employed by Sony Pictures Animation for a feature-length film. Its sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, was released in 2023.

Also read: Full-stream Ahead: Streaming Trends in 2023

As one of the Top 20  EMS companies in the world, IMI has over 40 years of experience in providing electronics manufacturing and technology solutions. 

We are ready to support your business on a global scale.

Our proven technical expertise, worldwide reach, and vast experience in high-growth and emerging markets make us the ideal global manufacturing solutions partner. 

Let's work together to build our future today.