Another Top 10 Scariest CGI Effects In Movies
#10: Missing Jaw “The Grudge” (2004)
While some things are better left to the imagination, this horror remake skipped that memo and went straight for the jawline. Following in the footsteps of its Japanese predecessor, “The Grudge” revolves around a supernatural curse that latches on and never lets go. In one standout moment, Ted Raimi’s character Alex sees a mysterious woman creeping through the darkness. After following her down a stairway, he comes to regret his decision as the figure is revealed to have her jaw completely cut away. While the image is brief, the CGI is all-too convincing. That bloody, dangling tongue is enough to make anyone decide to skip lunch.
#9: Slugs “Slither” (2006)
These creepy crawlies gave us the heebie-jeebies, but we couldn’t look away. When “Slither’s” extraterrestrial parasites crash land in South Carolina, the results are . . . extremely disgusting. The transformation of Grant into a tentacled monster is awful enough, but what really gets under the skin are the squirming larvae - wriggling through windows and doors and into their victims’ mouths. Swallow them, and you join the hive. James Gunn’s directorial debut might have bombed at the box office, but it was a hit with critics and audiences - bringing the scares with these creepy CGI slugs.
#8: Wafner’s Face “Overlord” (2018)
Keeping with the theme of gruesome facial wounds, World War ll horror bloodbath “Overlord” just couldn’t resist introducing their own. When American troops discover a secret Nazi experiment, the outnumbered squad must do battle against superhuman forces. During an intense shootout with the film’s antagonist Wafner, the German commander’s face is hit by gunfire, resulting in more than a flesh wound. Shockingly detailed and downright bloody, the effects created for Wafner’s mangled mug are so accurate, one could almost mistake them for prosthetics. All in a day’s work for Industrial Light & Magic.
#7: Imhotep “The Mummy” (1999)
When exploring ancient Egypt, make sure you don’t awaken any dead things. During development of this 1999 remake, filmmakers set out to give the titular monster a brand new look. What audiences received sent chills down their spine. Beginning as a bug-infested, decomposed corpse, Imhotep slowly regenerates to human form after sucking the life out of each of his victims. Basing their work on anatomy books, the filmmakers nailed every repulsive stage of the mummy’s regeneration. So much so that we’re left questioning how this film received a PG-13 rating.
#6: The Bear “Annihilation” (2018)
Top 10 Scariest Practical Effects In Movies
Try not to think about this one next time you go camping. In “Annihilation”, an expedition of scientists explore “The Shimmer”, a mysterious realm where DNA is “refracted” into new forms. In this gruesome scene, our characters are attacked by a mutated bear that screams with the voice of its last victim. From the effects team that brought us “Ex-Machina”, the unusual look of the predator has made this a standout among this sci-fi horror’s many unnerving scenes. The bear’s slow approach and heavy breathing already build tension, but its blood-curdling shrieks make this moment simply “grizzly”.
#5: The Reaper Opens Its Mouth “Blade 2” (2002)
Top 10 Scariest CGI Effects in Movies
Director Guillermo del Toro is no stranger to dazzling visuals, and his follow-up to “Blade” is no exception. In “Blade II”, our eponymous hero fights “the Reapers”, a race of vampires looking to supplant normal vampires and wipe our humans. In a scene displaying their graphic feeding process, a reaper’s mouth gapes wide open, displaying long, sharp fangs on both sides. After paralyzing it’s victims with a single bite, the reaper extracts blood with its slithering tongue, turning its unfortunate victims into reapers themselves. While this miserable fate would leave anyone panic-stricken, the creative detail given to these creatures deserves an applause break. Bon appetit.
#4: Pennywise’s Various Forms “It” (2017)
The Origins of Pennywise
Popping out of a projector . . . contorting from a fridge . . . and biting a child’s arm off; this clown’s not available for parties. When the teens of Derry are terrorized by the murderous Pennywise, he confronts them in all different shapes and sizes. Whether it’s dragging them down to the sewer, or simply playing mind games, each encounter grows increasingly more traumatic. Straight from the twisted brain of director Andy Muschietti, the visuals given to Pennywise’s many forms add to an already nerve-racking atmosphere. Clowns are terrifying enough, but one with demonic powers keeps us constantly fearing for our young characters. That, as well as scaring us stupid.
#3: Mama “Mama” (2013)
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If there’s one thing for sure, it’s that children and ghosts are not a heavenly mix. With his second entry on our list, Andy Muschietti’s chilling debut follows two orphaned sisters as they’re stalked by a demonic presence known as “Mama”. In a nail-biting tracking shot that seems to last a lifetime, the girls venture downstairs and find themselves face-to-face with the ghastly entity. In the blink of an eye, ‘Mama’ lunges towards them. The ghastly figure is brought to life through a mixture of CGI and the motion-capture performance of Javier Botet. The thought of any child in danger is unbearable, but the sheer terror the girls face is only made worse by their initial fascination with the shadowy figure.
#2: Jaw Ripping Scene “Mirrors” (2008)
Top 10 Bad Movies With Great CGI Effects
This scene takes the word “bloodbath” to a whole new level. 2008’s “Mirrors” seemed like your generic supernatural flick. A family haunted by a sinister force… We get it. But a woman randomly tearing her jaw apart is something disturbingly . . . fresh? As the character Angie relaxes in the tub, she’s unaware that her reflection still lingers in the mirror. Things erupt into pure chaos as the reflection proceeds to rip its jaw clean open, with the real life Angie’s jaw following suit. While the CGI isn’t the most convincing we’ve seen, the juxtaposition of a quiet, mellow atmosphere mixed with this gory payoff is enough to make anyone nauseous. On second thought, we’ll opt for a shower… Before we get to our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Giant Arachnids “Eight Legged Freaks” (2002) Troll “Trollhunter” (2010) Alien “Signs” (2002) Back Breaker “Paranormal Activity 3” (2011) Gouged Eyes “Event Horizon” (1997)
#1: Bugs “King Kong” (2005)
Top 10 Scariest Giant Movie Bugs
Human-sized crickets, sharp-toothed slugs, giant spiders… Pest control need not apply. Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake cemented his effects team’s place as CGI wizards. With that said, the movie’s most hair-raising visuals don’t involve its titular ape. When several characters wake up in a mysterious pit, enormous insects emerge from the crevices. Despite fighting back, they’re eventually overwhelmed, with a few of them becoming bug breakfast. The scene is an unsettling break from an otherwise beautiful spectacle. Shocking, gross and utterly disturbing, the bugs are truly what nightmares are made of.
