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The Best Computer Animation Movies

Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) involves the use of a computer that takes a 3D image and combines it with several other similar images in a progressive order to create the illusion that there is movement taking place. Although the technology has been around for more than 30 years, the first mainstream movie to be filmed entirely with computer animation was "Toy Story" in 1995. Like "Toy Story," many of the subsequent films were geared toward families and children and have been met with substantial praise.
  1. Shrek 2

    • The sequel to the 2001 film "Shrek," "Shrek 2" features the lovable ogre in his new life, married to Princess Fiona and on the verge of being introduced to her family, who will soon be struck with the revelation that their daughter is no longer human, nor did she marry one. As of 2009, it was the highest grossing computer animated movie of all time, pulling in just over $440 million at the box office.

    Finding Nemo

    • Paramount's 2003 film "Finding Nemo" earned nearly $340 million while playing in theaters, making it a hugely popular hit that was briefly the most profitable CGI box office showing until it was dethroned by "Shrek 2" the following year. "Finding Nemo" tells the story of a young clown fish taken from the safety of his father and dropped into the vast ocean to fend for himself.

    Shrek the Third

    • In yet another appearance for Shrek the Ogre, the third film features the story of King Harold, Shrek's father-in-law, falling ill, leading to speculation that Shrek is next in line to rule the land of Far Far Away. Shrek, reluctant to be the king, searches for a worthy successor while villainous Prince Charming attempts to manipulate the situation to his benefit. The film would go on to make just over $322 million in theaters, more than $100 million short of the first sequel, but still good for third place as of 2010.

    Up

    • A 3D animated adventure from Disney Pixar, "Up" is the story of the elderly recluse Carl Fredericksen, who has recently lost his wife and no longer cares to have contact with the rest of the world. When an incident threatens to take him away from the home in which he and his wife made a life together, Carl uses balloons to fly him and his house away to South America, where he'd always dreamed of visiting. Carl is in for a surprise when he realizes Russell, a young neighbor boy, has inadvertently come along on the trip. The movie generated almost $300 million in box office revenues.

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