(DML Top 20 Lists - CGI Animation Films ranked)

Honorable Mention

Pacific Rim (2013), Director: Gillermo del Toro, rated PG-13

To fight monsters we created monsters

Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Ron Perlman, Diego Klattenhoff, Burn Gorman, Max Martini

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Today we face the monsters that are at our door and bring the fight to them! Today, we are canceling the apocalypse!" - Stacker Pentecost

Why watch this? Any fan of Godzilla or Transformers will love this robot-kaiju slug-fest!

Plot Summary: Years ago, Earth faced destruction from a portal opening beneath the Pacific Ocean, releasing monstrous creatures called Kaiju. To fight back, humanity built colossal robots known as Jaegers, piloted by two people who share a neural link to control them. Now, as the Jaeger program struggles against increasingly powerful Kaiju attacks, a retired pilot and an untested trainee must team up for one last, desperate attempt to save the world.

Dad's Preview: Gigantic monsters are coming forth to wreak havoc on the world. After years of taking a beating, mankind finally begins to fight back. The plot is fun to follow, the actors are young and attractive, and the special effects are next-level. I am really impressed with Idris Elba. He really carries a persona that lends legitimacy to the films in which he stars. Keep it up, big guy.

Legendary Pics, Double Dare You Prod.;
Warner Bros. Pictures

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #20 Top

King Kong (2005), Director: Peter Jackson, rated PG-13

Behind every great love is a love story.

Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks, Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"That's the thing you come to learn about Carl, his undying ability to destroy the things he loves." – Jack Driscoll

Why watch this? A worthy remake of the original 1933 classic.

Plot Summary: Filmmaker Carl Denham leads a voyage to the mysterious Skull Island to film a movie, taking along actress Ann Darrow and playwright Jack Driscoll. On the island, they encounter prehistoric creatures and the gigantic ape, Kong, who develops a bond with Ann. Driven by ambition, Denham captures Kong and brings him to New York City, where the ape escapes and searches for Ann amidst the urban chaos.

Dad's Preview: Peter Jackson tackled this right after Lord of the Rings, and went all out. He faithfully remakes the original, and more. He coaxed some wonderful performances out of the fine actors, then turned his CGI gurus loose. They delivered almost too well (the vine-swinging T-Rexs were a bit much). Regardless, it's a great film as a whole and very enjoyable for a nerdy guy like me. Naomi Watts continues to impress. That gal can act!

WingNut Films; Universal Pictures

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #19 Top

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021), Director: Zack Snyder, rated R for super-hero violence, language

Us United

Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Ray Fisher, Jason Mamoa, Ezra Miller, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, J. K. Simmons, Joe Morton

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"I don't care how many demons he's fought in how many hells. He's never fought us. Not us united." – Bruce Wayne

Why watch this? This may be the one good thing that came out of COVID-19.

Plot Summary: Since the death of Superman (from Batman v Superman (2016)), three intergalactic Mother Boxes on Earth have begun to reactivate. Darkseid, who rules the war planet Apokolipse, needs these boxes to become supremely powerful. He sends his brutal lieutenant, Steppenwolf, to Earth to take possession of the boxes by any means necessary. However, Earth's heroes are also making plans to find the boxes. This includes Wonder Woman and Batman, but they will need some major help. This leads to finding newcomers Barry Allen (the Flash), Aquaman (Arthur Curry), and Victory Stone (Cyborg).

Dad's Preview: It was rumored that director Zack Snyder had filmed a very different movie than the Justice League that opened in theaters in 2017, which BTW was hot garbage (thanks to WB executives mucking it up). When COVID hit, Snyder promised his fans that he'd make this film HIS way, and sure enough... he did. This four-plus hour effort is superb. We get much better origins for Cyborg and Flash, Steppenwolf's CGI is unreal. It was truly a labor of love by the director, cast and crew. It's the reward that loyal DC fans deserved.

Access Ent., DC Films, Atlas Ent., The Stone
Quarry, HBO MAX; Warner Bros. Pictures

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #18 Top

The Abyss (1989), Director: James Cameron, rated PG-13 for violence, language

A place on earth more awesome than anywhere in space.

Starring: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, Leo Burmester, Todd Graff, Kimberly Scott, Chris Elliott

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"We all see what we want to see. Coffey looks and he sees Russians. He sees hate and fear. You have to look with better eyes than that." - Lindsey Brigman

Why watch this? The scene where Lindsey drowns is UNFORGETTABLE!

Plot Summary: A civilian ocean drilling team is enlisted to search for a lost nuclear submarine in the deep sea, encountering dangerous situations along the way. As they investigate, they discover the potential for something unexpected and possibly non-terrestrial life. The team must confront a group of gung-ho Navy Seals, while discovering more about the mysterious presence.

Dad's Preview: Most of this film is ten-star potential. It sports an talented director, engaging plot, top-notch action, incredible special effects, and wonderful performance by an all-star cast. For two hours it's Oscar worthy... then the ending occurs - what the hell? I guess nobody had the guts to tell James Cameron that it all but ruins the film. I would have! My alternate ending: Return the drilling crew to the surface, without any proof of what occurred below - leave it shrouded in mystery... but hey, nobody asked me.

Gale Anne Hurd; 20th Century Fox

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #17 Top

Life of Pi (2012), Director: Ang Lee, rated PG

Welcome to Pi's Ark.

Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain, Tabu, Rafe Spall, Gérard Depardieu, James Saito, Jun Naito, Andrea Di Stefano

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Faith is a house with many rooms." - Pi Patel (as an adult)

Why watch this? A man tells his life story, but it feels more like an inspiring dream.

Plot Summary: A young man named Pi survives a shipwreck and finds himself stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean. He is not alone, however, as his only companion is a fearsome Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Pi must use his wits and resilience to survive against the harsh elements and the wild animal, forming an unexpected and profound connection with the tiger along the way.

Dad's Preview: Pi Patel, in a recanted story of his life, describes a disastrous sinking at sea. Director Ang Lee brings this incredible (and called "un-filmable") book to glorious life in this visually stunning movie. Nominated for 11 Oscars, this strange, fantasy-filled movie brought home four, including Best Director and Best Visual Effects.

Fox 2000 Pics, Dune Ent., Ingenious
Media, Haishang Films; 20th Century Fox

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #16 Top

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2014), Director: Gareth Edwards, Rated PG-13

A rebellion built on hope.

Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen, Wen Jiang, Ben Mendelsohn, Guy Henry, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Jimmy Smits

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"We have hope. Rebellions are built on hope!" - Jyn Erso

Why watch this? Disney has since over-saturated the Star Wars brand, but this early film shines as interesting and even necessary.

Plot Summary: Jyn Erso is a young woman with a troubled past, who is recruited by the Rebel Alliance. Alongside Rebel officer Cassian Andor and a diverse team of fighters, Jyn undertakes a daring mission to steal the plans of the Death Star, the Galactic Empire's devastating super-weapon. Their perilous journey takes them across the galaxy, encountering both allies and adversaries, as they race against time to deliver hope to the galaxy.

Dad's Preview: This tale is chronologically set one week before Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). It follows a group of rebels who will steal the design plans of the Empire's Death Star, the greatest weapon in the galaxy. It's packed with young and very capable stars, and the film really works. There is so much within for rabid Star Wars fans, and Felicity Jones stands out - can't wait to watch her career blossom.

Lucasfilm Ltd.; Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #15 Top

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006), Director: Gore Verbinski, rated PG-13

Captain Jack is back.

Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Pryce, Jack Davenport, Bill Nighy, Lee Arenberg, Mackenzie Crook, Kevin McNally, David Bailie, Stellan Skarsgard, Tom Hollander, Naomie Harris, Martin Klebba, David Schofield

"Do you fear... death? Do you fear that dark abyss? All your deeds laid bare, all your sins punished?" - Davey Jones

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

Why watch this? A pretty nice second helping of Jack Sparrow sea-gruel.

Plot Summary: Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner's wedding plans are disrupted when they are arrested for aiding Captain Jack Sparrow's escape. Lord Cutler Beckett offers them a deal: find Jack and retrieve his mysterious compass, or face execution. Jack, meanwhile, is being pursued by the legendary Davy Jones, to whom he owes a blood debt and a key to a mysterious "dead man's chest".

Dad's Preview: First, I am team-Jack-Sparrow. The quirky life that Johnny Depp gives this drunken, allegiance-shifting swashbuckler is second to none. A sequel was inevitable, and this film certainly gives us more of the original's charm. The addition of the tentacled Captain Davey Jones is CGI art, as are those sealife-hybrid crew members aboard his ship, the Flying Dutchman. It's also interesting how they tie in Will's father. This adventure gets off the rails during some of its action sequences. As with most sequels, it attempts to one-up its predecessor. Frankly, the scene with the giant water wheel is completely impossible and ridiculously unbelievable, eliciting the wrong kind of laughs. Still, there is a lot to like, and cheer on, as you sit back and chow down on your $25 bucket of popcorn.

Walt Disney Prod.; Buena Vista Distributing

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #14 Top

Dune: Part Two (2024), Dennis Villeneuve, rated PG-13

Long Live The Fighters.

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Souheila Yocoub, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, Alison Halsted

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Look how your Bene Gesserit propaganda has taken root. Some of them already think I'm their messiah. Others... false prophet. I must sway the non-believers. If we get enough of them to support us, we can halt spice production. It's the only way I can get to the Emperor." – Paul Atreides, to his mother

Why watch this? Part 2 ends in explosive fashion, and harkens a third film.

Plot Summary: Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen to seek revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family, rising as a powerful leader on the desert planet Arrakis. As he embraces the ways of the desert warriors and navigates a manufactured prophecy, he struggles to prevent a terrible future holy war that he foresees. Ultimately, Paul faces a difficult choice between the love of his life and the fate of the universe.

Dad's Preview: This sci-fi epic really is presented in two parts. The first, and slower, half focuses on Paul Atreides' training alongside the desert-dwelling Fremen tribes and his ascension to their leader. Paul becomes Maud'Dib Usul, and develops a relationship with the fiery warrior Chani. He also becomes a sand worm-rider. The second half is more narrowly focused on two awesome events: Paul's consumption of the Water of Life, elevating him to Lisan al Gaib, a messianic leader; and war with the marauding Harkonnens, who are determined to wipe out the Atreides family. Yes, there is a lot going on with numerous plots and hard-to-remember names. My wife said with a furrowed brow, "I hate/appreciate Dune." Yet, like the Dune franchise, it can become a rewarding hobby if you are willing to invest the time.

Legendary Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #13 Top

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), Director: David Yates, rated PG-13

The Rebellion Begins

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emily Watson, Rubert Grint, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Gary Oldman, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"As I have told you before, Mr. Potter, naughty children deserve to be punished." - Dolores Umbridge

Why watch this? Two great villains emerge - Dolores Umbridge and Bellatrix Lestrange.

Plot Summary: Harry struggles with the Ministry of Magic's denial of Voldemort's return and their subsequent smear campaign against him and Dumbledore. To combat the Ministry's interference and a new, oppressive Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Harry forms a secret student group, Dumbledore's Army, to teach and learn proper defensive spells. As Harry's connection to Voldemort deepens, he's plagued by unsettling visions which ultimately lead him and his friends into a dangerous confrontation at the Ministry of Magic, where truths about prophecies and Voldemort's plan are revealed.

Dad's Preview: As teen awkwardness migrates into full on teen angst, the story richens with better character moments, such as Harry's soulful conversations with his godfather Sirius Black. Hogwarts receives a new professor, Ms. Umbridge, a merciless tyrant who takes over the school and insures that Harry et al are tortured at every turn. We also get a more personal look at the dark arts wizards known as Death Eaters. They take human form and are led chiefly by Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy.

Heyday Films; Warner Bros. Pictures

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #12 Top

Edge of Tomorrow (2014), Director: Doug Liman, rated PG-13 for language, sci-fi violence

LIVE DIE REPEAT

Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson, Noah Taylor, Jonas Armstrong, Tony Way, Noah Taylor

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Find me when you wake up." - Rita Vrataski

Why watch this? The film's premise will blow you away. That and Emily Blunt.

Plot Summary: In a future where Earth faces an alien invasion, a reluctant military public relations officer, Major William Cage, is thrust into a combat scenario. After dying in the ensuing battle, he finds himself in a time loop, repeatedly reliving the same day and being killed over and over. He seeks out a formidable Special Forces warrior, Sgt. Rita Vrataski. Together they must utilize the time loop to learn, adapt, and ultimately find a way to defeat the overwhelming extraterrestrial threat.

Dad's Preview: The hard-working Tom Cruise has done his share of sci-fi thrillers. Thanks to a creative story, excellent CGI effects and a stellar cast, this intense, time-jumping alien-infested fare is really a blast. You will have to re-watch it a few times to see what you missed. Cruise impresses, but Emily Blount caught me off guard - she oils up the muscles and makes a pretty good action hero herself! Bill Paxton, who portrays Master Sgt. Farell - and is one of my favorite actors and he's superb. Sadly, he would pass away three years later in 2017.

Village Roadshow Pics, RatPac Ent., 3 Arts Ent.,
Vis Productions; Warner Bros.

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #11 Top

Godzilla Minus One (2023), Director: Takashi Yamazaki, rated PG-13

Postwar Japan. From zero to minus.

Starring: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetake Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Sae Nagatani, Miou Tanaka, Kisuke Iida

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"That's why this time I'd take pride in a citizen led effort that sacrifices no lives at all! This next battle is not one waged to the death, but a battle to live for the future." - Kenji Noda

Why watch this? On Godzilla's 70th anniversary, he won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. Way to go, Big G!

Plot Summary: In 1945, kamikaze pilot Shikishima watches as his entire garrison is wiped out by a monster of incredible size. This leaves him with survivor's guilt and PTSD. When he returns home, he learns his parents were killed in the bombing of Tokyo. While mourning, he takes in a woman and orphan child. To get by, he also signs on as a minesweeper. The monster, now known as Godzilla, has mutated (thanks to US nuclear tests) to be much larger. The Japanese Navy deploys Shikashima's boat to lay mines and hopefully deter the beast's onslaught of mainland Japan.

Dad's Preview: As compared to films of this same ilk, Minus One stands out for two reasons: 1) the plot is leagues richer than usual, and 2) the monster visual effects are out of this world! This version of Godzilla is much like the original film (Godzilla 1954). He's angry, murderously destructive, and all but indestructible. In fact, his wounds heal instantaneously. We more than feel for the lead characters as they wage war against their internal demons, while trying to stop the chaos caused by nature's deadliest mutation.

Robot Communications; Toho Co. Ltd.

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #10 Top

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008), Director: Guillermo del Toro, rated PG-13

Believe it or not - he's the good guy

Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Jeffrey Tambor, John Hurt, Anna Walton, John Alexander, James Dodd, Luke Goss, Anna Walton

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I'm not gonna kill him, Abe. But I am gonna kick his ass." - Hellboy

Why watch this? It's almost as good as the original. It has more wonderful creatures.

Plot Summary: Hellboy and the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD) face a new threat when an elven prince breaks an ancient truce between humans and mythical creatures. This prince, driven by a desire to reclaim the world for his kind, seeks to reassemble a magical crown that can awaken the unstoppable Golden Army, a formidable force designed to eliminate humans. Hellboy, Liz Sherman, Abe Sapien, and the newly introduced ectoplasmic agent Johann Krauss must race against time to stop the prince and prevent global devastation.

Dad's Preview: This sequel, which many feel is better than the original, takes our red, kitten-loving demon into a fantastical underworld filled with monsters, elves and beings of all kinds. Trolls, witches and magic are everywhere. There are twists where some of the villains may not be who we think they are. Regardless, it nice to see Ron Perlman again as our favorite hell-born super-hero.

Relativity Media, Lawrence Gordon/Lloyd
Levin Prod., Dark Horse Ent.;
Universal Pictures

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #9 Top

Independence Day (1996), Director: Roland Emmerich, rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence

The question of whether or not we are alone in the universe has been answered.

Starring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Randy Quaid, Robert Loggia, Margaret Colin, James Rebhorn, Harvey Fierstein

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution, but from annihilation." - President Whitmore

Why watch this? The best alien invasion/action thriller ever!

Plot Summary: Large, mysterious alien spacecraft arrive on Earth and position themselves over major cities, initially causing wonder which swiftly turns to terror as they unleash destructive attacks. Humanity's attempts to counter the invaders' superior technology initially fail, forcing a desperate fight for survival and unity among a diverse group of individuals, including the President, a scientist, and a fighter pilot. This unlikely group must devise a plan to overcome the seemingly unstoppable alien threat.

Dad's Preview: All reservations I had about Will Smith quickly evaporated watching this exciting action flick. He's the perfect fighter pilot with lots of sass and determination. One by one we are introduced to the characters as the invasion tension ramps up. When it finally occurs, it's a cinema spectacle right up there with War of the Worlds (1953). Earth scrambles a desperate team to find a way to defeat the alien attacking force. Can they find a way to stop ships and weapons that out-match humanities best?

Centropolis Ent.; 20th Century Fox

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #8 Top

Inception (2010), Director: Christopher Nolan, rated PG-13 for language

Your mind is the scene of the crime.

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Elliot Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Michael Caine

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Building a dream from your memory is the easiest way of losing your grasp on what's real and what is a dream." - Cobb

Why watch this? It's plot is mind-bending. The cityscapes twisting within themselves is visually cool.

Plot Summary: Skilled thief, Dom Cobb, specializes in stealing information by entering people's dreams using a shared dream technology. He is tasked with the seemingly impossible job of planting an idea into a target's subconscious, rather than extracting one, a process called "inception". If he succeeds, his criminal history will be erased, allowing him to return home to his children, but a dangerous enemy from his past threatens to derail the mission.

Dad's Preview: Director Nolan is the mage of "smart action thrillers". He twisted our perception in Memento (2000) and reinvented the Batman. Here we follow a group of uber-thieves who can enter people's dreams. The value of this skill is immeasurable. Most of the film takes place in the labyrinth of a client's subconscious, and then dreams within dreams. It can be a little hard to follow the first time through, but the visuals are mind-bending.

Legendary Pictures, Syncopy;
Warner Bros. Pictures

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #7 Top

Avatar (2009), Director: James Cameron, rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence, language

From the director of Terminator 2 and Titanic

Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, Dileep Rao

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Everything is backwards now, like out there is the true world, and in here is the dream." – Jake Sully

Why watch this? Visually, it's breath-taking, and so organically beautiful. It's a solid story, too.

Plot Summary: Set in the future on the moon Pandora, a paraplegic former Marine named Jake Sully joins a program where humans can inhabit genetically-engineered Na'vi bodies. These human/hybrid bodies, called Avatars, are used to explore the hazardous moon's environment. While living among the indigenous Na'vi people, Jake becomes deeply connected to their culture and, in particular, princess Neytiri. This connection leads him to question his mission and eventually side with the Na'vi in their struggle against military exploitation.

Dad's Preview: So, what film project does James Cameron take on as a follow-up to Titanic (1997)? It's this futuristic CGI-fest set on a gorgeous moon-planet inhabited by native blue beings. Was he nuts? Nope. This film, many years in the making, is incredible. The story stings of European expansionism only on a grander and more devastating scale. The visual effects are ground-breaking.

Dune Ent., Ingenious Film Partners,
Lightstorm Ent., 20th Century Fox

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #6a Top

Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo, rated PG-13 for super-hero violence

An entire universe. Once and for all.

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Josh Brolin, Paul Bettany, Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Olsen, Zoe Saldana

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I offered a solution... With all six stones, I could simply snap my fingers; they would all cease to exist. I call that... mercy." – Thanos

Why watch this? Its span and scope are huge, yet it still has a lot of intimate moments.

Plot Summary: A powerful being known as Thanos seeks to collect six ancient and incredibly powerful artifacts called the Infinity Stones. He believes that by using the stones to eliminate half of all life in the universe, he can save it from inevitable destruction. The Avengers and their allies across the galaxy must band together to stop him, leading to the ultimate confrontation for the fate of existence.

Dad's Preview: Marvel teased Thanos, a very powerful intergalactic entity, for awhile. This film is the awesome pay off. Josh Brolin is excellent as the massive, purple tyrant, who is certainly evil, yet actor Josh Brolin gives him enough intelligence so that we can almost sympathize with his cause. I must point out Captain America, in black, sporting a full beard - made fans scream in the theaters. As the film builds, all the Marvel heroes and teams are assembled on Earth for a huge final battle to save the planet. The ending, which is perfectly setup, is a brutal gut-punch that leaves you wanting the sequel all the more.

Marvel Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pics

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #6b Top

Avengers: End Game (2019), Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo, rated PG-13 for super-hero violence

Avenge the fallen.

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Josh Brolin, Chris Pratt

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I think you look great, Cap. As far as I'm concerned, that's America's ass." - Scott Lang

Why watch this? The perfect ending for the MCU's Phase Three.

Plot Summary: After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the remaining Avengers must find a way to reverse Thanos' actions and restore balance to the universe. With the help of allies and a potential new method, they embark on a crucial mission to undo the chaos caused by the Mad Titan. This final stand will determine the fate of the universe and conclude a long-running story arc.

Dad's Preview: I can't say enough about this film, and those that preceded it. This amazing conclusion may be remembered as the last great Marvel Studio film. Our defeated heroes discover a way to reverse the damage done by Thanos. However, it only requires a little time travel. No problem! Back in time they venture to find the Infinity stones and restart our universe. But can humanity and their allies stop the legions of Thanos a second time? The ending will blow you away! Frankly, I am not sure where how another super-hero film top this one - it will appear as wasted effort compared to this.

Marvel Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pics

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #5 Top

Iron Man (2008), Director: John Favreau, rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence

Get ready for a different breed of heavy metal hero.

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Shaun Toub, Gwyneth Paltrow, Faran Tahir, Leslie Bibb, Clark Gregg

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I saw young Americans killed by the very weapons I created to defend them and protect them. And I saw that I had become part of a system that is comfortable with zero-accountability." – Tony Stark

Why watch this? This kicked off the MCU and brilliantly cast Robert Downy Jr. as Ironman.

Plot Summary: Following his kidnapping and escape from a terrorist group using a makeshift armored suit, brilliant industrialist Tony Stark returns home and vows to change his ways. He devotes his resources to perfecting this technology to fight global threats and protect the innocent. However, he soon discovers a dangerous conspiracy within his own company, forcing him to confront a powerful adversary in his new role as Iron Man.

Dad's Preview: This amazing origin film kicked off a film series that would eventually lead to The Avengers (2012), and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the role seemingly made for him, Downey excels as the eccentric, quirky, millionaire genius Tony Stark, the ideal man to invent an amazing iron suit. Even as a DC comics kid, I was drawn to Marvel's Iron Man, whose suit was cool as heck. Thanks to some incredible CGI regarding said suit, this stellar film more than lives up to any expectations.

Marvel Studios; Paramount Pictures

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #4 Top

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Director: Nicholas Meyer, rated PG for sci-fi battles, violence

At the end of the universe lies the beginning of vengeance.

Starring: William Shatner, Ricardo Montalban, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, Bibi Besch, Merritt Butrick, Paul Winfield, Kirstie Alley

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #17 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

"I haven't faced death. I've cheated death. I've tricked my way out of death and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing..." - James T. Kirk

Why watch this? This film recaptures the magic of the original series... and more.

Plot Summary: Admiral Kirk is drawn out of retirement when his former adversary, the genetically engineered superhuman Khan Noonien Singh, escapes exile and seeks revenge by seizing control of a powerful terraforming device. Now with control of the Genesis device, Khan lures Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise into a deadly confrontation in a nebula. Ultimately, the film culminates in a climactic starship battle, forcing the crew to make significant sacrifices to stop Khan's destructive quest.

Dad's Preview: The first film, Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), had its moments, but it dragged a little in its ode to nostalgia. This thriller was a pleasant surprise. It finally tapped into the true essence of the three main Enterprise officers: Kirk, Spock and McCoy - their familiar banter carries much of the film. The grandest of surprises was Ricardo Montalban, reprising his role as Khan, a super intelligent being, whom Kirk sent into exile years ago. Khan will have his revenge on Admiral Kirk, spouting Melville all the way. It's hard to find a fault with this superb, exciting flick. I can still hear the echoes of Trekkies rejoicing.

Robert Sallin; Paramount Pictures

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #3 Top

Jurassic Park (1993), Director: Steven Spielberg, rated PG-13 for sci-fi terror/violence

An Adventure 65 Million Years In The Making.

Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Bob Peck, Samuel L. Jackson, Wayne Knight

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"…your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." – Ian Malcolm

Why watch this? ... it's ground-breaking, based on a superb novel, and DINOSAURS!

Plot Summary: Wealthy entrepreneur John Hammond creates a theme park on a remote island, populated by genetically engineered dinosaurs. Before opening, a group of scientists, including a paleontologist, a paleobotanist, and a mathematician, are invited to assess the park's safety. However, a power failure caused by industrial sabotage leads to the dinosaurs escaping their enclosures. The visitors and park staff must then struggle to survive and escape the now-perilous island.

Dad's Preview: I read Michael Crichton's novel, about bio-engineered dinosaurs, and immediately thought, "Spielberg has to do this film!" Not long after, Spielberg announced JP as his next project. I wept. The original plan was to use only life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, however, the special effects team won over the director with their amazing CGI skills. The digital dinosaurs were jaw-dropping. The rest is history. The film became another Spielberg smash hit.

Amblin Entertainment; Universal Pictures

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #2a Top

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), Director: Peter Jackson, Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence

ONE RING TO RULE THEM ALL.

Starring: Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean, Ian Holm

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #5a - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring

"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing." - Boromir, about the ring Frodo has found

Why watch this? The first of Jackson's Tolkien film adaptations will lock you in for more.

Plot Summary: The fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance as the Dark Lord Sauron seeks to regain the One Ring, a powerful object containing a part of his might. The Ring has fallen into the hands of young hobbit Frodo Baggins, who learns from the wizard Gandalf that it must be destroyed. Frodo and eight companions, forming the Fellowship of the Ring, embark on a perilous journey to Mordor, the only place where the Ring can be unmade in the fires of Mount Doom.

Dad's Preview: This is the first film in the most wonderful fantasy trilogy ever made. Here, Middle Earth's diverse main characters are introduced, and the epic journey begins. It starts in the green shire, home to the peaceful Hobbits, then traverses fields, quiet hamlets, dank forests, expansive plains, snowy mountains, and finally the dark, goblin-infested labyrinths of the Mines of Moria. It's epic and emotionally taxing, as the fragile Fellowship trudges onward on its quest to destroy the one thing that is evil manifested - the ring of power, which makes it a target of the burning eye of Sauron, the evil Lord who craves it the most.

WingNut Films; New Line Cinema

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #2b Top

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), Director: Peter Jackson, Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence

THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH BEGINS!

Starring: Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Karl Urban, Bernard Hill

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #5b - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of LOTR: The Two Towers

"So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?" – King Théoden before the Battle of Helm's Deep

Why watch this? The second film perfectly stands on its own with attention to story and amazing battle sequences.

Plot Summary: The Fellowship is now scattered as the fight against Sauron and his allies intensifies. Frodo and Sam continue their perilous journey to destroy the One Ring, while being trailed by the enigmatic creature Gollum. Meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli unite with a resurrected Gandalf to rally the forces of Rohan against Saruman's growing army and defend the stronghold of Helm's Deep. The hobbits Merry and Pippin find themselves in the ancient Fangorn Forest and encounter the tree-like Ents, whom they must convince to join the fight against the encroaching darkness.

Dad's Preview: The brave Fellowship has been torn asunder, their wise leader dragged into fiery darkness. Director Peter Jackson continued his beloved film adaptation of J. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings with determination to get it right. The middle film adds richness to each Fellowship member, and brings new players (some heroic, some tragic) into focus. We also are introduced to a key antagonist, the sinister Golem, who desires the return of his ring. The massive battle at Helm's Deep is unforgettable. But the war is not over and we are left wanting a conclusion to this fantastical tale.

WingNut Films; New Line Cinema

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #2c Top

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), Director: Peter Jackson, Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence

THE EYE OF THE ENEMY IS MOVING.

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #5c - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of LOTR: The Return of the King

"We come to it, at last. The great battle of our time." - Gandalf the White

Why watch this? After two massive films, this delivers on all open plot threads and every moment is a treasure.

Plot Summary: The forces of good launch a final, desperate struggle against Sauron's overwhelming armies as Frodo and Sam undertake the harrowing final stages of their quest to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn embraces his destiny as the rightful king of Gondor and leads the forces of men in battle, while Frodo and Sam, guided by the treacherous Gollum, navigate the perilous lands of Mordor towards Mount Doom. As the fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance, each character faces their own trials of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice in the hope of defeating the Dark Lord and restoring peace to the land.

Dad's Preview: As the principal characters inch ever closer to their fates, we feel the weight, Frodo's weight, and it is almost too much to bear. With Gimli, Legolas and Aragon lost inside the mountain pass, the army of man, led by Gandalf and King Théoden, must prevail in the final battle at the foot of towering Minas Tirith, the White City. All this is to buy time for two hobbits, Frodo and Sam, to reach the fires of Mount Doom and destroy the ring. They encounter danger at every turn, the worst being the betrayal of Golem.This Oscar-winning final chapter is without question the finest fantasy film ever made.

WingNut Films; New Line Cinema

Top 20 CGI Animation Films #1 Top

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Director: James Cameron, rated R for language, sci-fi violence

Same Make. Same Model. New Mission.

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, Edward Furlong, Joe Morton, Earl Boen

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"It is in your nature to destroy yourselves." The T-800 Terminator

Why watch this? Cameron delivers an incredible sequel using ground-breaking effects, a buffed-up Linda Hamilton, and a flipped narrative.

Plot Summary: A reprogrammed cyborg is sent back in time to protect a young John Connor from an advanced, shape-shifting Terminator designed to eliminate him. John and his mother Sarah join forces with the protector to prevent the coming nuclear apocalypse by destroying the technology that creates Skynet. Together, they must combat the relentless new threat while fighting to change the future and ensure human survival.

Dad's Preview: This sequel is bigger and bolder than the original. Still desperate to win the battle, the future's machines send another Terminator - this one more lethal and advanced than the original. Humankind sends back a T-800 Terminator (similar to the original film's cyborg), only it has been re-programmed to protect Sarah and John at all costs. This has all the cool ass elements of the original film, yet it's characters are more fully explored, and it's message is more poignant. Linda Hamilton flexes (literally) her acting muscles and newcomer Edward Furlong shines her son, the young John Connor.

Carolco Pics, Pacific Western Prod., Lightstorm
Ent., Le Studio Canal+; Tri-Star Pictures