Top 10 CGI Versions of Beloved Animated Characters Fans HATED
#10: Tweedledum & Tweedledee
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Even through a pair of looking glasses, these two look rough in live-action. While Tim Burtons quirky aesthetic gives this remake all kinds of style, it falls flat when adapting characters as wackadoo as Tweedledum and Tweedledee. By trading smooth animation for questionable CGI, the two go from charming, goofy, and colorful to the human embodiment of a pair of eggs. Just what in the world were they thinking here? Stripping the Tweedle brothers of their eccentric look doesnt make them feel more real. It just makes them stick out. Which, in a movie that takes place in wonderland, is really saying something.
#9: Boots
Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019)
In her search for a fabled golden civilization, Dora stumbled upon something even more memorable: the complete and utter destruction of her sidekick, Boots. Yeah, that vague approximation of a chimp is supposed to be everyones favorite blue monkey. Look, adapting something as cartoony as Dora the Explorer into live-action is no easy feat. But, all the concessions in the world dont change the fact that Boots looks like he belongs in a horror film, not a childrens movie. Even Dora-diehards will agree that, in this movie, its Boots himself that deserves the boot. Pun fully intended.
#8: Tiana Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
As Disneys first ever African-American Princess, fans around the world rejoiced at the idea of Tiana returning for a cameo in this 2018 sequel to Wreck-It-Ralph. But, then they got a glimpse of her in the trailer. It wasnt an issue with animation; it was all in the design. Specifically that her skin tone was noticeably lighter. Everyone, including Tianas own voice actress, worried about Disney white-washing one of their most groundbreaking characters. Thankfully, the concerns did not fall on deaf ears. Tianas complexion was tweaked before release, and she appeared in the final film in all her beautiful, dark-skinned glory.
#7: The Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
Forget Shredder! The Turtles biggest threat is the curse of the so-called gritty reboot. In the throngs of a new creative direction, the team got a serious makeover complete with all the life-like reptile skin you could ask for. The issue? This is still a movie about teenage turtles who fight crime in color-coded masks. Not only are the new turtles horribly overdesigned, the realistic proportions are completely at odds with the tone you expect of a TMNT movie. It doesnt quite escape the uncanny valley, either. After decades of sleek, animated portrayals, these were not the turtles-in-a-half-shell fans wanted, needed, or deserved.
#6: Garfield
Garfield: The Movie (2004)
We hate Mondays almost as much as we hate this new look. While a lasagna-loving housecat would be out of place in most settings, its like they didnt even try to blend him into the real world here. Garfield is constantly glowing with an artificial sheen that reminds you he was digitally slotted in after the fact. To make matters worse, other animal characters like Odie are played by actual pets, which makes the orange cat even more of an outlier. If theyd committed to a full CG cast, at least Garfield wouldnt have been the only runt of the litter.
#5: The Chipmunks
Alvinnn!!! & the Chipmunks (2015-23)
Say what you will about the live-action films, but they had absolutely nutty Chipmunk designs. We just wish we could say the same about this animated show. Even considering the added limitations of a half-hour childrens program, the downgrade is simply impossible to ignore. The models in Alvinnn!!! are simply not very good. Both the hair and skin are seriously lacking in detail. Plus, they messed up the Chipmunks outfits! Who in their right mind thought taking Theodore out of his iconic, oversized sweater was a good idea? If you want your dose of cute, chipmunk hijinks, youre better off looking somewhere else.
#4: Pleakley
Lilo & Stitch (2025)
Any Pleakley who doesnt cross-dress is no Pleakley of ours! The original animated character was truly ahead of his time, and has grown into a shining beacon of representation for the drag community. Seeing such an integral and important part of his character removed from this live-action remake isnt just disheartening, its outright offensive. Especially considering the special effects arent anything to write home about. Just look at Jumba (xref)and Stitch (xref), both of whom are pale imitations of their 2D counterparts. The movie clearly didnt have the budget to properly animate all three. But, you want to know what could have helped that? If theyd just let Pleakley wear a dress in the first place!
#3: Flounder The Little Mermaid (2023)
As they say, everythings better down where its wetter except when youre talking live-action Disney adaptations. Were looking at you, The Little Mermaid. In the name of quote-unquote realism, poor Flounder loses every ounce of personality he once had. He isnt even the only victim! Sebastian gets caught in the crossfire, too (xref), and in both cases, the character is worse off for it. Its baffling that this is a movie about actual mermaids, and they drew the line at animated sea-life. While the VFX is certainly impressive, many agreed these characters lost all of their soul in the leap to live-action.
#2: The Dwarfs
Snow White (2025)
Instead of casting appropriate actors for the seven dwarfs, Disney decided to write a check for some fancy visual effects. The result is well, you can see for yourself. Its as if the animators couldnt decide whether to make the dwarfs realistic or cartoony, with the eventual middle ground failing to satisfy either. Casting drama aside, reactions from Snow White purists ranged from disappointed to outright incredulity. While comedic in nature, the dwarfs in the original film never once felt like jokes or mouthpieces. Here, though, the laughable CGI turns them into walking punchlines. When in doubt, we recommend heigh-ho-ing back to their 1937 iteration.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few dis-honorable mentions.
The Entire Cast, Rugrats (2021-23; 2024-)
These 3D Models Stink as Much as a Babys Diaper
Rocky & Bullwinkle, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000)
These Two Look Rocky in All the Wrong Ways
Genie, Aladdin (2019)
10,000 Years in a Lamp Will Give You Such a Crick in the CGI!
FAKEOUT #1: Mushu
Mulan (2020)
Disney brought honor to us all when they took Mulans trusty, fire-breathing sidekick to the big-screen is probably what wed say if Mushu was actually in this movie! But hes not! Again, we feel compelled to ask: where in the world was Mushu!? Anyways, onto our real top spot
#1: Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Despite his penchant for going fast, Sonic had a very slow crawl to theaters. When the trailer for his live-action debut finally dropped in 2019, reactions were mixed. And thats being generous. Fans were extremely critical of the blue blurs CG design, which had too much hedgehog, and not enough Sonic. The backlash was so bad, distributor Paramount Pictures had no choice but to delay the movie and completely redo Sonics visuals from the ground-up. It ended up working out, though. With a final look much more reminiscent of the games and cartoons, Sonic raced all the way to franchise-starting box-office success!
Which character do you think was most butchered by CGI? Let us know in the comments below!
