Jurassic Park (1993) changed everything by combining digital dinosaurs with practical animatronics. The T-Rex was a full-size robot for close-ups and a digital model for full-body shots. This hybrid approach — using each technique where it works best — convinced audiences that real dinosaurs existed.

Modern VFX can build entire photorealistic worlds: Avatar's Pandora, Marvel's cosmic battles, the digital de-aging of actors. But the sheer volume of work has raised concerns about artist burnout, as studios demand more effects in less time for lower pay.