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Timelines and Milestones of Computer Animation and Visual Effects This page contains a selection of timelines and milestones from the book. Each of the categories is color-coded. The live action feature movies with computer-generated visual effects appear in green. (Winners of the AMPAS award for visual effects are marked with an asterisk). In magenta are animated feature movies, most of which include three-dimensional computer animation. Independent productions and short computer animations are in blue boxes. Visual Effects Films Animated Feature Films Independent Shorts Four additional categories that can be found in the book are not included here: Video and Computer Games, Computer Technology and Industry Events, Related Technologies and Events, and Television Programs Late 1960s Early 1970s Late 1970s Early 1980s Late 1980s Early 1990s Late 1990s Early 2000s NOTE: An asterix in the visual effects green blocks (*) indicates winners of the AMPAS award in that category. View or Download a color PDF Selection of CG/VFX Milestones (1970-2002)   1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 The Time Machine * The Guns of Navarone* The Longest Days * Cleopatra * Mary Poppins * The Last Voyage The Absent Minded Professor Mutiny on the Bounty The Birds 7 Faces of Dr. Lao Disney's One Hundred and One Dalmatians Jason and the Argonauts Atboftb Carrier Landing, a 3D animation with plotted drawings by William Fetter and W. Bernhart at Boeing in Seattle John Whitney's Catalog, 16mm, 7min. Disney's The Sword in the Stone John Whitney's Lapis, 16mm, 8min. Top of Page 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 Thunderball * Fantastic Voyage * Doctor Dolittle * 2001: A Space Odyssey * Marooned * The Greatest Story Ever Told Hawaii Tobruk Ice Station Zebra Krakatoa, East of Java Stereo computer animations by Michael Noll and Bela Julesz at Bell Laboratories Hummingbird by Charles Csuri, first examples of computer-generated representational animation Disney's The Jungle Book Planet of the Apes A Boy Named Charlie Brown, by B. Melendez Cockpit Simulation by William Fetter at Boeing has 3D computer-animated human. The Yellow Submarine by George Dunning Pas De Deux, by Norman McLaren Permutations by John Whitney Top of Page 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 Tora! Tora! Tora! * Bedknobs and Broomsticks * The Poseidon Adventure * Westworld (AMPAS VFX Awards not given this year) Earthquake Patton When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth Heavy Traffic by Ralph Bakshi The Savage Planet by Rene Laloux Hunger by Peter Foldes, National Film Board of Canada. Fritz the Cat by Ralph Bakshi Warner Bros.' Charlotte's Web Animated Faces, by Fred I. Parke at University of Utah Top of Page 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 The Hindenburg * King Kong * Start Wars * Superman * Alien * Logan's Run * Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Black Hole Moonraker Star Trek Galaxy Express 999, Japanese animation by Rintaro and Kon Ichikawa   Top of Page 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 The Empire Strikes Back * Raiders of the Lost Ark * E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial * Return of the Jedi * Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom * Vol Libre, fractal animation by Loren Carpenter Dragonslayer Blade Runner Poltergeist Growth, first in a series of abstract animations by Yoichiro Kawaguchi Ghostbusters 2010 Looker, featuring Cindy the first virtual actor TRON, becomes the first live action film with over 20 minutes of computer animation. Bio-Sensor created at Osaka University and Toyo Links, is an early example of modeling with blobby surfaces and figure locomotion. The Secret of Nyhm, by Bluth Productions The Genesis Effect created by ILM for Star Trek II is the first all computer-animated visual effects film shot. Still Life Etude, an early simulation of light, fog, rain, and skies created at Hiroshima University. Carla's Island by Nelson Max at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab Top of Page 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Cocoon * Aliens * Innerspace * Who Framed Roger Rabbit * The Abyss * Return to Oz Young Sherlock Holmes Little Shop of Horrors Predator Die Hard Willow The Adventures of Baron Munchausen The Last Starfighter Back to the Future In Disney's The Great Mouse Detective the moving gears in the chase sequence are created with 3D computer animation. Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo popularizes animé, feature-length sci-fi Japanese animation, with international audiences. Many cars in Disney's Oliver & Company are 3D CGI models. Back to the Future Part II Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Field of Dreams Ghostbusters II The Last Starfighter, by Digital Productions, is first live action feature film with realistic computer animation of highly detailed models. John Laseeter's Luxo Jr. is nominated in the AMPAS Animated Short Films Category. Stanley and Stella: Breaking the Ice by Symbolics Graphics and Whitney Demo Productions, early flock animation Pixar's Tin Toy by John Lasseter and William Reeves wins the AMPAS Animated Short Films Category. The Abyss includes first convincing three-dimensional character animation. The Black Cauldron, first Disney animated feature film to use some computer-graphics technology The still image Road to Point Reyes redefines realism by compositing graftals and fractals to portray a landscape. Red's Dream by Pixar Technological Threat by William Kroyer and Brian Jennings The Little Mermaid is Disney's last film to use traditional ink and paint. It's closing shot is done with CAPS. Brilliance commercial featuring a sexy female robot with convincing realistic motion created by Abel and Associates Visitor on a Foggy Night by the Computer Graphics Research Group at Hiroshima University Baloon Guy by Chris Wedge at Ohio State University Locomotion, a Pacific Data Images short, is an early example of squash-and-stretch. Kiki's Delivery Service by Hayao Miyazaki opens in Japan. Growth III by Yoichiro Kawaguchi The Sky, simulations of light and skies by Prof. Nakamae's research group at Hiroshima University Knickknack by Pixar, Don't Touch Me by Kleiser-Walczak, early character animation with motion capture techniques Preview of The Works created at the NYIT The Little Death by Matt Elson at Symbolics Eurythmy by Susan Amkraut and Michael Girard Study of a Numerically Modeled Severe Storm, early visualization Top of Page 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Total Recall * Terminator II: Judgment Day * Death Becomes Her * Jurassic Park * Forrest Gump * The Hunt for Red October Backdraft Aliens Cliffhanger The Mask Back to the Future III Die Hard 2 Hook Batman Returns The Lawnmower Man The Nightmare Before Christmas True Lies The Flintstones Disney's The Rescuers Down Under, first Disney animated feature film done entirely with the first version of the CAPS System Terminator II is the first mainstream blockbuster movie with multiple morphing effects and simulated natural human motion. Aladdin is Disney's first use of 3D organic surfaces and a fully computer-animated character. Jurassic Park sets new standards for inverse kinematics and digital compositing. The wildebeest stampede in Disney's The Lion King is a tour de force in the integration of 3D computer animation with traditional animation. Hanna-Barbera's Jetsons: The Movie includes computer-animated vehicles and environments. The animated camera in Disney's Beauty and The Beast travels in 3D space; first animated film to be nominated for the AMPAS Best Picture Award. Liquid Selves, particle systems animation by Karl Sims The computer animation for the Babylon 5 TV series is initially produced entirely with off-the-shelf microcomputer systems. Listerine Arrows TV commercial by Pixar Panspermia by Karl Sims, an early computer animation created with particle systems Mutations by William Latham and IBM UK Don Quichotte by Video System uses keyframe character animation techniques. The Seven Wonders of the World by Electric Images pushes the boundaries of architectural visualization. Primordial Dance by Karl Sims uses particles. Leaf Magic by Alan Norton uses motion dynamics animation. Top of Page 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Babe * Independence Day * Titanic * What Dreams May Come * The Matrix Apollo 13 Congo Dragonheart Twister The Lost World: Jurassic Park Starship Troopers Mighty Joe Young Armageddon The Mummy Star Wars: Episode I&endash;The Phantom Menace Casper Jumanji Stargate Species James and the Giant Peach includes a wide variety of traditional and computer animation techniques. The Fifth Element Batman & Robin Mars Attacks! The Rock Mouse Hunt Godzilla Small Soldiers Pleasantville Wild Wild West Stuart Little Sleepy Hollow Fight Club Toy Story becomes the first fully 3D computer animation feature film. Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame has 3D confetti, crowds, and architecture. Princess Mononoke by Hayao Miyazaki opens in Japan. Disney/Pixar's A Bug's Life and DreamWorks/PDI's ANTZ present insect worlds. 2D brushstokes recreated on 3D geometry in Disney's Tarzan. The canoe and Mother Willow in Disney's Pocahontas are created with 3D. Warner Bros.'s Space Jam features the Loony Tunes characters. Disney's Hercules is memorable for the Hydra sequence and the morphing of cloud paintings. The Hun crowd simulation and props in Disney's Mulan are 3D. Disney/Pixar's Toy Story 2 takes Buzz and Woody to new levels of comedic and technical achievement. the end by Chris Landreth The Fight by Acclaim Entertainment proves the viability of motion capture for character animation. Pixar's Geri's Game by Jan Pinkava is modeled with subdivision surfaces, wins AMPAS Animated Short Films Award. Prince of Egypt by DreamWorks presents a stylized approach to characters and superb effects animation. Disney's Fantasia 2000 includes computer-generated sequences, released in IMAX. Joe's Apartment Roach Rally by Blue Sky Productions. Soulblade by NAMCO is a weapon-based fighting game with impressive animation. Low-budget Rugrats is a box-office success. Warner Bros.' Iron Giant has a fresh animation style and great non-realistic rendering. Virtual Andre commercial by Digital Domain showcases motion capture. Chris Wedge's Bunny at Blue Sky Studios wins the AMPAS Award, Animated Short Films Category. Tightrope by Daniel Robichaud at Digital Domain. Bingo by Chris Landreth explores neo-Dada theatre. Race For Atlantis animated for IMAX by Rhythm & Hues. Fishing and Spatial Frames by PDI with watercolor-like rendering and a surreal comedy of spatial errors Fiat Lux by Paul Debevec, a landmark in image-based rendering Top of Page 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Gladiator * The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring * The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers * The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King* (Academy Award winner not selected yet) Hollow Man The Perfect Storm Artificial Intelligence Pearl Harbor Spiderman Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl 102 Dalmatians The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle Cast Away The Cell Dinosaur Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas Mission: Impossible 2 Mission to Mars Pitch Black Red Planet X-Men Black Hawk Down Cats & Dogs Enemy at the Gates Evolution The Fast and the Furious Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Jurassic Park III Lara Croft Tomb Raider Monkeybone The Mummy Returns Planet of the Apes Spy Kids Swordfish Astérix & Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre Blade 2 Die Another Day Eight Legged Freaks Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Men in Black 2 Minority Report Panic Room Reign of Fire Resident Evil Scooby-Doo The Scorpion King Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams Stuart Little 2 The Time Machine xXx Daredevil The Hulk Kangaroo Jack Lara Croft: The Cradle of Life The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen The Matrix: Reloaded The Matrix: Revolutions Spy Kids 3: Game Over Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines X2: X-Men United Around the World in 80 Days Catwoman The Chronicles of Riddick The Day after Tomorrow Harry Potter and the Prisioner of Azkaban The Haunted Mansion I, Robot Kill Bill-Vol. 2 Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow Spiderman 2 Troy Van Helsing Thunderbirds Disney's Dinosaur combines live action backgrounds with realistic 3D computer animated characters. The AMPAS creates new category for Best Animated Feature. DreamWorks' Shrek wins, runner-ups are Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius, and Pixar's Monsters, Inc. The Lord of the Rings 2 uses a combination of performance capture and keyframe techniques to animate the Gollum character, superb crowd simulation software. Finding Nemo * Brother Bear Les Triplettes de Belleville The Incredibles The Polar Express Shrek 2 Terkel i knibe (Denmark) Immortel, Enki Bilal Ghost  in the Shell 2 : Innocence Shark Tale Pixar's For the Birds by Ralph Eggleston wins AMPAS award. Atlantis: The Lost Empire Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within Marco Polo: Return to Xanadu Spirited Away * Ice Age Lilo & Stitch Spirit: Stallion of theCimarron Treasure Planet Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas Piglet's Big Movie The Jungle Book 2 Onimusha is Best Animated Short at SIGGRAPH 2000. Mutant Aliens Osmosis Jones The Prince of Light Recess: School's Out Waking Life El bosque animado Hey Arnold! Mutant Aliens The Powerpuff Girls First Feature Return to Never Land The Wild Thornberrys Looney Tunes: Back in Action Millenium Actress Pokèmon Heroes Rugrats Go Wild! Tokyo Godfathers Victor Navone's Alien Song is widely viewed on the Web. Pixar short Mike's New Car by Pete Docter and Roger Gould. Eric Armstrong's The ChubbChubbs wins AMPAS Short Award. Van Phan's Values is Best Animated Short at SIGGRAPH 2001. Memorable commercials for Blockbuster's Carl and Ray, Levi's, X-Box Mosquito, and Game Boy Advance. Tomek Baginski's The Cathedral is Best Short at SIGGRAPH 2002. Top of Page Scroll through the full list of Academy Award VFX Winners since 1939

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