Marvel's Missteps: The Top 10 Worst CGI Moments in the MCU

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has forever changed the landscape of cinema, with its groundbreaking interconnected storytelling and unforgettable characters. The first three phases of Marvel's ambitious project wowed us with their spectacular visuals and epic narratives, culminating in the iconic climax of Avengers: Endgame.

However, it seems that all good things must come to an end. Since Endgame, the quality of storytelling in the MCU has experienced a noticeable decline. And it's not just the stories that have suffered – the once-impressive visual effects have also taken a hit. As Disney continues to churn out Marvel content at a rapid pace, it appears that they've neglected the quality of both the plot and the CGI.

Let's take a look at the 10 worst CGI moments in the MCU's history, in our opinion:

Posted by Nimrod Aldea

1
Bruce Banner's floating head in Avengers: Infinity War

In the climactic battle of Infinity War, Bruce Banner dons the Hulkbuster armor to join the fight. However, the CGI integration of Banner's head onto the armor is less than convincing. The scene features a poorly rendered, almost comical floating head that detracts from the intensity of the battle.

Via Marvel Studios
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2
Pip the Troll in The Eternals

The Eternals introduced many new characters to the MCU, including the mischievous Pip the Troll (In a post-credit scene, alongside Harry Styles). Unfortunately, the CGI used to bring Pip to life leaves much to be desired. The character appears cartoonish and out of place, making it difficult to take him seriously.

Via Marvel Studios
3
Killmonger vs T'Challa in Black Panther

Black Panther's climactic battle between Killmonger and T'Challa takes place in an underground vibranium mine, with the two warriors clad in their powerful suits. While the fight is meant to be thrilling and intense, the CGI falls short, giving the scene a video game-like appearance that detracts from the emotional stakes.

Via Marvel Studios
4
Yelena Belova Face an Explosion in Black Widow

During a pivotal action sequence in Black Widow, Yelena Belova is caught in a massive explosion. The CGI used in this scene, particularly the rendering of the flames and debris, lacks the level of detail and realism we've come to expect from the MCU, leaving the moment feeling underwhelming.

Via Marvel Studios
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5
The Leader (The Incredible Hulk)

Even though his character was yet to be officially introduced, we did see Samuel Sterns turn into the leader during one of the scenes in "The Incredible Hulk". a vile of Bruce Banner's blood drips down onto the open wound in Stern's forehead, triggering an awful CGI effect that is supposed to indicate his transformation.

Via Columbia Pictures
6
Pretty much everything (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law)

Throughout the entire She-Hulk series, the CGI has been a constant letdown. She-Hulk, played by Tatiana Maslany, is supposed to be a formidable and awe-inspiring figure. Unfortunately, the CGI effects used to bring her to life fall flat. The character's movements and expressions often appear unnatural, and the overall visual quality leaves much to be desired, detracting from the experience of watching an otherwise promising show.

Via Disney+
7
The Jackal (Moon Knight)

The Jackal, one of the monsters in the Moon Knight series, suffers from a similar issue. This menacing creature should be a source of fear and intrigue, but the subpar CGI used to create him makes it difficult to take him seriously. In a series that relies heavily on atmosphere and suspense, the poorly-rendered Jackal stands out as a glaring weakness.

Via Disney+
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8
Ms. Marvel's powers (Ms. Marvel)

Ms. Marvel is a beloved character with a loyal fanbase, and her live-action debut was highly anticipated. In a surprising move, Marvel decided to change her powers from the ability to stretch and shape her body to controlling "hard light," allowing her to manipulate magical light and form it into any shape she desires. Unfortunately, the CGI used to showcase her new powers falls short. The hard light effects often appear cartoonish and unconvincing, which is disappointing for fans who were excited to see this groundbreaking character brought to life, even with her altered abilities.

Via Marvel Studios
9
Dr. Strange's third eye (Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness)

This scene in the highly-anticipated Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness appears in the last seconds of the movie. Dr. Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, is seen walking down the street when he suddenly screams, and a third eye appears on his forehead. Unfortunately, the CGI used to depict the third eye looks like a rushed effect that was added at the last second to make the ending feel more meaningful. Instead of being awe-inspiring and visually striking, the underwhelming CGI takes away from the impact of the scene, leaving audiences feeling disappointed.

Via Marvel Studios
10
Axl’s floating head (Thor: Love and Thunder)

In Thor: Love and Thunder, the character Axl, who is Heimdall's son appears as a floating head to tell Thor and Valkryie that Gorr took him and the Asgardian children to the Shadow Realm. The shoddy CGI work in this scene looked absolutely ridiculous on the big screen. Marvel had "fixed" the CGI for the Disney+ release but frankly, it looks even worse now

Via The Direct, Marvel Studios