Special effects can make or break a movie, but not all of them stand the test of time. What once blew audiences away can now look like a budget-cut video game cutscene. From The Mummy Returns' infamous Scorpion King to The Matrix Reloaded’s rubbery Neo, some effects just didn’t age well.
In this episode of A.J. Chat, we’re counting down 15 special effects that aged like milk—scenes that were once considered cutting-edge but now stick out like a bad green screen. Whether it’s awkward CGI, weird motion capture, or visual choices that just didn’t hold up, these moments make us wonder… what were they thinking?
Which effects still haunt you? Let’s dive in!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com