In recent years, the use of 3D Animation and Visual Effects in movies has become a default. All the Directors are using this enchanting medium to bring life to their ideas. Such tools give them ease to convey the story as they see in their mind. Continuously, the filmmakers have started using various cutting-edge technologies to create astonishing and realistic worlds. In this case study blog article, we’ll take a look at some of the best VFX movies of 2022.
From the fantastical sceneries of Avatar 2 to the mind-bending action sequences of Doctor Strange, VFX have played a crucial role in bringing some of the most iconic and beloved films to life. All these films has shown the groundbreaking techniques to create cinematic masterpieces.
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Obviously, our top 10 list can be different from yours, as it becomes subjective from person to person.
1. Avatar: The Way of Water
This is the gigantic of all. Avatar 2 is a visual marvel, as expected, directed by legendary James Cameron. It is mix of advanced cinematics, next level motion capture and virtual production. James literally made a technology to shoot the movie as per his vision. The story carves a new chapter of the Na’vi, the tall, blue inhabitants of the alien planet Pandora with introduction of many new characters and lush landscapes.
The astonishing VFX of Avatar 2 are accomplished by Wētā FX (formerly known as Weta Digital), a New Zealand-based VFX studio that also contributed to the “Planet of the Apes” trilogy and “The Lord of the Rings” series.
Budget: $460 million
Profit: $1.755+ billion
2. Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva
To be honest, the story and screenplay was pathetic. The VFX, the awe-inspiring element, is the hero of the Brahmastra movie. The Animation and Visual Effects artists have done better work than the actual actors. It has received a huge applause across the country and worldwide. Based on mythological plot, it is the first installment of the 3 part series. The Director Ayan Mukerji must take care of better writing for the sequels.
The Astraverse universe has been majorly created by ReDefine studio, India. They executed around 4500 VFX shots to accomplish this giant. It is one of the best movies of Indian Cinema that can stood against blockbuster Hollywood movies in terms of high octane and quality VFX and CGI.
Budget: 400 Crore INR
Profit: 430+ Crore INR
3. Thor: Love and Thunder
Directed by Taika Waititi, it is a goofy movie which is the 4th of Thor in MCU. Chris Hemsworth as Thor, fights against Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher. One of the major post production studio of the movie, RSP (Rising Sun Pictures) roped in VFX Supervisor Jake Morrison and VFX Producer Lisa Marra for successful execution of the movie. Apart from regular VFX shots, motion graphics of opening and ending credits are just awesome.
It was good to see the magical hammer, Mjølnir, back in action, even though it was in hands of Natalie Portman as Jane Foster. There has been a lot of voice on internet regarding the floating head sequence of Heimdall’s son, Axl, played by Kieron L. Dyer.
Budget: $250 million
Profit: $760+ million
4. RRR
Unarguably, you just can’t forget the latest master piece of the Indian Cinema. Here is the movie, RRR, from the immensely talented and visionary director S. S. Rajamouli. After Baahubali franchisee, he created one more gem with help of Srinivas Mohan, VFX supervisor. The duo again recreated the gigantic landscape of spectacular Animation and Visual Effects. The movie was based on a historical details, with mix of fictional story of two freedom fighters.
It has mind blowing sequences that made this larger than life movie. Some of them are tiger fight sequence of Jr. NTR, village fight sequence of Charan, rescue of child on a bridge and the climax. Check out everything you need to know about RRR movie.
Budget: 550 Crore INR
Profit: 1200+ Crore INR
5. Top Gun: Maverick
Do you know the best part of this movie? Without any super hero, it broke so many records. It is one of the finest movies of all time, which is kind of reincarnation of an old movie Top Gun (1986). Tom Cruise’s charismatic persona as Pete Maverick, seamless screenplay, meaningful connection with the old movie and invisible VFX – all these makes this movie a must see on the big screen. It is one of the best VFX movies of all time.
Framestore has roped in Ryan Tudhope as Creative Director and VFX Supervisor. With more than 2K VFX shots, it is seamlessly blended with amazing cinematography of flying fighter jet and G-forces shooting. The only hurting part was that, the movie is promoted as ‘practical’ movie and VFX team was also discouraged to talk about it.
Budget: $170 million
Profit: $1.4+ billion
6. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
For all the Marvel fans, it was one of the most anticipated movie after the COVID pandemic. It was in hype from a long time, due to combination of two of the most powerful characters, Doctor Strange and Wanda Maximoff. The plot of the movie continues from the web series WandaVision. Sam Raimi, the Director, didn’t disappoint and the movie was appreciated worldwide.
It won the Hollywood Award for Visual Effects (VES) Award for Outstanding Created Environment, and the Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Animated Effects in a Live-Action Production. Apart from it, the movie received nominations for Outstanding Visual Effects at the BAFTA and Academy Awards.
Budget: $200 million
Profit: $955+ million
7. KGF 2
KGF stands for Kolar Gold Fields. KGF 2 has been one of the most anticipated movie of year. Want the proof? The YouTube trailer got 109+ million views in the 24 hours, across five languages (Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi). Original made in Kannada language, it got worldwide applaud due to its amazing cinematic experience. Till now, it is the highest-earning Kannada film of all time. The VFX of KGF 2 is executed by UNIFI Media, Bengaluru based post production studio.
Sanjay Dutt played a pivot role against Yash (Naveen Kumar Gowda). His ponytailed hairstyle and Viking look kept the promise of the first part. The craze was that it got sales of 40 lakh tickets in the advanced booking. It is available now on Amazon Prime Video.
Budget: 150 Crore INR
Profit: 1250+ Crore INR
8. Jurassic World Dominion
Directed by Colin Trevorrow, it is the third and final installation of Jurassic World trilogy. It is appreciated world wide. As per the records, this is the third highest grossing film of 2022. Apart from theatrical success, a special extended version of the movie was released on 4K, Blu-ray, and digital platforms.
ILM (Industrial Light & Magic) had put major efforts to make various dinosaurs and related CGI elements. Academy Award nominee David Vickery, worked as the Visual Effects Supervisor. He introduced some new species of dinosaurs in the finale chapter to make it much more exciting. To make it realistic, he also roped in consultant paleontologist during the R&D. With the huge blockbuster figures, it is coined as one of the best VFX movies of this year.
Budget: $165–185 million
Profit: $1+ billion
9. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
For this tribute movie to T’Challa & Chadwick Boseman, Marvel Studios roped in Hanzhi Tang, the VFX supervisor from Digital Domain. One of the major sequence of the movie, deadly fight between Wakandans and Talokan on the ship, has been gone through a massive CG and Visual Effects work. Using Maya and Houdini, the post production studio delivered around 500 VFX shots for the entire movie.
Directed by Ryan Coogler, it is the 30th movie of MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). It is all about rise of Shuri, Black Panther’s sister and how she took stand for Wakanda against all odds. Apart from CGI, Ryan also took a great care of costumes of various characters by adapting various local themes and color combinations.
Budget: $250 million
Profit: $840+ million
10. Black Adam
Starring Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) as Black Adam, it is the 11th movie of DCEU (DC Extended Universe). It is a story of an Antihero, who fights to free the nation named Kahndaq. One of the highly popular James Bond actor, Pierce Brosnan, also played in pivotal role in the movie as the member of Justice Society and holder of Helmet of Fate.
Jaume Collet-Serra is the Director, who is well known for his earlier movies including The Commuter, The Shallows and Non-stop. Regarding CGI and VFX of the movie, various post production studios were hired including Wētā FX, Digital Domain, Scanline VFX, Effetti Digitali Italiani, UPP and Rodeo FX.
Budget: $260 million
Profit: $393+ million