CGI, an abbreviation of Computer Generated Images is the application in computer graphics which is mainly used in video games, film, TV etc. Till 1990 this technology was very rarely used by the developers of the films but in 1991 when James Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day was released, this technology entered the mainstream cinema and gradually many notable directors started using CGI in their films. CGI animations films were regularly used in many animated films but its usage in the live action films were very rarely found as it was experimented and implemented by very few directors for example James Cameron and Steven Spielberg. Since 2000s and onwards CGI technology is constantly used in the films and many live action movies featuring CGI characters made their way in the mainstream cinema and found great success. So since we have talked about a little history of CGI technology, let’s now come to the topic which is the most popular CGI characters. There are number of CGI characters which are considered as media icon but here I have posted the list of ten most popular CGI characters, so let’s start with number 10.
10. Kong (King Kong 2005)
King Kong which was a remake of the 1993 film that focuses on the huge 25 feet tall ape that falls in love with a young woman. In 2005 Peter Jackson displayed this character in such an awesome way that left the audiences stunned and it quickly became one of the most beloved CGI characters in the history. Kong immediately became one of the popular media icon and the legacy of this CGI character has become one of the pinnacle of the Computer Generated Images technology.
9. Bumblebee (Transformers)
Transformers Film Series is one of the most popular film series especially among the young audience. The most entertaining part of this film was the shape shifting robots that were actually mechanical beings from the planet Cybertron. Since this film series consist of three installments directed by Michael Bay, Bumblebee which was also one of the protagonist robot and the member of the Autobots became one of the most popular CGI characters in the recent years and its alternate form which was Chevrolet Camaro was hugely applauded by the audience and the critics.
8. Neytiri (Avatar)
James Cameron, a genius and an intellectual director has given some of the biggest hits in the history of the Hollywood like Titanic, Terminator 2 and Avatar. As we all know that Avatar has posted a series of records that no other film has done ever. In the same way the CGI characters that were in the film also became famous especially the character of Neytiri. This CGI character was awesomely developed and presented and it became hugely popular in the world.
7. Davy Jones (Pirates of the Caribbean)
Johnny Depp is the main reason behind the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. But there is another very popular character that is considered one of the best characters in the history and that is of Davy Jones, a CGI character which appeared in the second and third installment of this film series and was overwhelmingly praised by the audiences and critics. Although this character was a bit scary but still it is considered as one of the best CGI characters of the present and past decade.
6. Gollum (Lord of the Rings)
Peter Jackson once again showed his intellectual directing skills in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and developed one of the very famous CGI characters in the form of Gollum. Gollum’s looks may look awkward to many people but this is a real fact that this CGI character has become very popular among the audiences and if I say that Gollum is one the reason behind the success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and I am sure that nobody will have any objection.
5. Hulk (The Incredible Hulk 2008)
You don’t like him when he is angry. Louis Leterrier directed the reboot version and chose Edward Norton as the main lead and the title character. The Hulk character was developed and presented using the CGI technology and was met with great and favorable praise by the audience and the critics. The character of the Hulk was filled with full of destruction and emotions and due this it became one of the most popular CGI characters in the history.
4. T-Rex (Jurassic Park)
No one could have ever imagined that back in 1993 CGI technology was successfully experimented and implemented by none other than Steven Spielberg, the best in the business. He developed the most popular CGI character which is still on the top list in the form of a huge dinosaurs “T-Rex”. Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park revolutionized the mainstream cinema forever and T-Rex became one of the most popular CGI characters in the history.
3. Optimus Prime (Transformers)
The most important reason behind the success of Transformers Film Series, Optimus Prime. He is Heroic, Brave, Dangerous and leader of the Autobots. His awesome presentation in the big screen by the director Michael Bay was met with great acceptance from the audience and it quickly became the most beloved CGI characters in the history. When Optimus Prime was killed in the 2nd part of this film series, many of his fans were left in tears but he eventually returned in the climax and saved the world again. There is no doubt that Optimus Prime is indeed the one of the best CGI characters ever developed and this line is justified when we see the popularity of Optimus Prime.
2. T-1000 (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)
Well James Cameron is always one step ahead when it comes to the usage of technology in the movies. He successfully implemented the CGI technology in his film Terminator 2: Judgment Day released in 1991 and his one of the character T-1000 played by Robert Patrick became hugely popular. So if I rank this popular CGI character 2nd then I think everybody will agree with this fact.
1. Yoda (Star Wars Episode II & III)
The greatest highlight of the Star Wars Episode II & III is undoubtedly Yoda. Yoda was developed and presented amazingly and along with success of Star Wars Film Series, it also became one of the best and the most popular CGI characters in the history of mainstream cinema. Well his fans will be very heartbroken when he dies at the age of 900 in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of Jedi. The popularity of this CGI character is undeniable.
