9 Worst CGI Effects in Modern Superhero Movies
Superhero movies have become known for their incredible special effects, but not all CGI has been up to par. From distracting visuals to downright embarrassing effects, here are the 9 worst CGI effects in modern superhero movies that have left audiences cringing.
The Awkward Hulkbuster Moment
In Avengers: Infinity War, there is a brief moment that could have been done better. When Thor arrives in Wakanda, Bruce Banner pulls back his helmet in the Hulkbuster suit to deliver a hilarious one-liner. Unfortunately, it's glaringly obvious that Mark Ruffalo isn't in the suit, and it looks like somebody photoshopped the actor's head. It's an awkward-looking effect, but one that can go unnoticed since everything else looks great.
Bruce Banner in the Hulkbuster suit in Avengers: Infinity War
The CGI in Avengers: Infinity War is wildly impressive. However, there is a brief moment that could have been done better. When Thor arrives in Wakanda, Bruce Banner pulls back his helmet in the Hulkbuster suit to deliver a hilarious one-liner. Unfortunately, it's glaringly obvious that Mark Ruffalo isn't in the suit, and it looks like somebody photoshopped the actor's head. It's an awkward-looking effect, but one that can go unnoticed since everything else looks great.
The Lackluster Elastic Effects
Creating the effect of an elastic man is hard to do, especially with outdated CGI. In both the 2005 and 2015 versions of Fantastic Four, the lackluster elastic effects were present whenever Reed Richards showed off his powers. Ioan Gruffudd and Miles Teller both struggled to make Mr. Fantastic's arms look fantastic, leaving audiences unimpressed.
Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards in Fantastic Four
Creating the effect of an elastic man is hard to do, especially with outdated CGI. In both the 2005 and 2015 versions of Fantastic Four, the lackluster elastic effects were present whenever Reed Richards showed off his powers. Ioan Gruffudd and Miles Teller both struggled to make Mr. Fantastic's arms look fantastic, leaving audiences unimpressed.
The CGI Mess in the Final Fight
Black Panther's final fight with Killmonger was anticipated, but the CGI mess almost ruined the finale. The two donned different colored Black Panther suits and engaged in a hopping, punching, and clawing match that looked as bad as it did surprising, especially for a film that is one of the best in the MCU.
Black Panther and Killmonger fight
Black Panther's final fight with Killmonger was anticipated, but the CGI mess almost ruined the finale. The two donned different colored Black Panther suits and engaged in a hopping, punching, and clawing match that looked as bad as it did surprising, especially for a film that is one of the best in the MCU.
The Goofy Climbing Scenes
2004's Catwoman is already heavily criticized as one of the worst ever superhero movies, but the CGI climbing scenes made it even worse. Anytime the titular hero did any climbing, it looked straight out of a cartoon and made each scene goofier than the last. Halle Berry's Catwoman suit was insulting enough, and it didn't help that the CGI made the character look even worse.
Halle Berry as Catwoman 2004
2004's Catwoman is already heavily criticized as one of the worst ever superhero movies, but the CGI climbing scenes made it even worse. Anytime the titular hero did any climbing, it looked straight out of a cartoon and made each scene goofier than the last. Halle Berry's Catwoman suit was insulting enough, and it didn't help that the CGI made the character look even worse.
The Unconvincing Claws
X-Men Origins: Wolverine shows how Hugh Jackman's Wolverine got his adamantium claws, but the CGI looks wildly out of place. It's hard to believe how bad his claws looked at that moment, since he had played the role for years, and they'd more seamlessly fit into his scenes in previous X-Men movies.
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in X-Men Origins: Wolverine
X-Men Origins: Wolverine shows how Hugh Jackman's Wolverine got his adamantium claws, but the CGI looks wildly out of place. It's hard to believe how bad his claws looked at that moment, since he had played the role for years, and they'd more seamlessly fit into his scenes in previous X-Men movies.
The Luminescent Suit
In Green Lantern, making Ryan Reynolds' suit fully CGI was a mistake. He is in the suit a lot, and it's hard to take him seriously when his suit looks so fake and luminescent. This decision was so bad that Reynolds himself often rips on it, even throwing in an insult in Deadpool 2.
Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan in Green Lantern movie pic
In Green Lantern, making Ryan Reynolds' suit fully CGI was a mistake. He is in the suit a lot, and it's hard to take him seriously when his suit looks so fake and luminescent. This decision was so bad that Reynolds himself often rips on it, even throwing in an insult in Deadpool 2.
The Unsettling MODOK
MODOK is so uncomfortable to look at, especially with how uncanny Corey Stoll's face looks in that egg-like suit. While Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania tries to play it off like a joke, the CGI character is nonetheless unsettling to look at in the movie.
Corey Stoll as MODOK smiling in front of flames in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
MODOK is so uncomfortable to look at, especially with how uncanny Corey Stoll's face looks in that egg-like suit. While Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania tries to play it off like a joke, the CGI character is nonetheless unsettling to look at in the movie.
The Cartoonish Hulk
Hulk debuted in 2003, perhaps a few years before a CGI Hulk could look acceptable. Ang Lee treats the character seriously, but it's hard to be invested in the green rage monster when it looks so cartoonish. The pre-MCU movie is filled with comic book panels, and it feels like viewers are still in one whenever Hulk appears.
Hulk destroying a city in the 2003 movie
Hulk debuted in 2003, perhaps a few years before a CGI Hulk could look acceptable. Ang Lee treats the character seriously, but it's hard to be invested in the green rage monster when it looks so cartoonish. The pre-MCU movie is filled with comic book panels, and it feels like viewers are still in one whenever Hulk appears.
The Distracting CGI Removal
For Justice League's extensive reshoots, Henry Cavill couldn't shave his mustache that he'd grown for another movie, so DC had to figure out a way to get rid of it. The studio decided to turn to CGI, and the results were anything but super. From afar, Superman doesn't look too bad, but up close, the CGI is very noticeable and makes any dramatic scene with Cavill fall flat.
Henry Cavill as Superman in Justice League
For Justice League's extensive reshoots, Henry Cavill couldn't shave his mustache that he'd grown for another movie, so DC had to figure out a way to get rid of it. The studio decided to turn to CGI, and the results were anything but super. From afar, Superman doesn't look too bad, but up close, the CGI is very noticeable and makes any dramatic scene with Cavill fall flat.
