History of 3D Animation: From Experiments to Blockbasters

The roots trace back to the 19th century, when the first devices that created the illusion of motion were invented. Among them were the phenakistiscope by Joseph Plateau (1832) and the zoetrope by William George Horner (1834). These simple mechanisms marked the beginning of visual experimentation—the foundation of a full-fledged industry.

What is 3D Animation?

3D animation is creating moving images and utilizing a three-dimensional modeling process. Unlike 2D animation, known for its flat imagery, 3D ones gives its objects volume, depth, and the ability to move freely in space.

As technology evolved, artists learned to apply movement, lighting, and textures to models to produce realistic animation. But what about the very first 3D animation? How has it developed over the years? Let’s find out.

The Origin

Let’s trace back to the 1960s and 1970s, when the first experiments with 3D models began. William Fetter designed the first model of a pilot to study how a person would interact with aircraft control systems. He created animated videos for Boeing and coined the term “computer graphics.”

Around the same time, Ivan Sutherland developed a program called Sketchpad—the first CGI system with a graphical user interface, enabling users to interact with objects on screen, drawing and transforming them.

What Was the First 3D Movie?

The first 3D animated movie to use CGI was Futureworld (1976). It had two scenes that utilize CGI technology: an animated hand and an animated face. These visuals illustrated the process of scanning and creating androids in a futuristic amusement park. Interestingly, the animated hand was created by Edwin Catmull, the future co-founder of Pixar, while the animated face was developed by Fred Parke.

Then, in 1977, Star Wars: Episode IV was released. While the movie primarily relied on special effects (SFX), the holographic Death Star scene was created with the help of CGI. The visual effects were produced by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).

3D animation in cinema had been evolving, but the full integration of 3D models had not yet begun. By the late 1970s, early experiments were underway, with artists and engineers exploring vector graphics and wireframe models.

The Evolution

After the 1980s, a groundbreaking leap occurred. Invention tools such as AutoCAD, Advanced Visualizer, and Alias PowerAnimator allowed artists to create complex 3D animated scenes and realistic models.

Tron (1982) was one of the projects where CGI technology was utilized extensively. In this movie, computer graphics were used to visualize a virtual world and create digital characters. The film also marked one of the earliest uses of motion capture technology.

However, Pixar was the only one who truly made a splash, laying the foundation for the modern approach to 3D animation. The Adventures of André and Wally B. (1984) showcased smooth animation and dynamic camera movement. In their next work, Luxo Jr. (1986), Pixar managed to convey emotion and personality via animated desk lamps.

What Was the First 3D Animation Cartoon?

Then the pinnacle came with Toy Story (1995) — the first feature-length cartoon made entirely on a computer. That’s how Pixar proved that 3D animation could be just as touching and expressive as traditional one.

But the emotional impact wasn’t just the only strength. Pixar also demonstrated technical excellence in every frame: strong attention to detail, like lighting, textures, and shadows, all made possible via the RenderMan software.

Does it mean Pixar’s success sparked an industry boom? Yes, it does. In the 2000s, studios like DreamWorks and Blue Sky entered the scene. Shrek (2001) by DreamWorks hit the screens — a bold, charismatic animated movie with outstanding texture work and visual detail, winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and paving the way for hits like Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon.

Blue Sky Studios was known for its distinctive visual style. The Ice Age film series (starting in 2002) introduced audiences to charismatic characters, meticulously designed landscapes, and a skillful blend of humor, drama, and family values. These projects helped solidify 3D animation as one of the dominant genres in popular culture.

Box Office History: Top 10 3D Animated Movies

Over the past two decades, the animation industry has made significant strides. While 3D animation felt revolutionary in the early 2000s, today’s widespread access to CGI software and render farms allows studios to create realistic and expressive graphics of any complexity.

Modern animated films are no longer just children’s stories—they’re true blockbusters, earning billions of dollars at the box office. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 3D animated movies from 2010 to 2025.

№	Movie Title	Release Year	Global Box Office (USD)	Studio
1	Nezha 2	2025	$2,170,500,000	CMC Pictures
2	Inside Out 2	2024	$1,698,863,816	Pixar / Disney
3	The Lion King	2019	$1,656,943,394	Disney
4	Frozen 2	2019	$1,450,026,933	Disney
5	The Super Mario Bros. Movie	2023	$1,362,566,989	Illumination / Universal
6	Frozen	2013	$1,290,000,000	Disney
7	Incredibles 2	2018	$1,243,225,667	Pixar / Disney
8	Minions	2015	$1,159,457,503	Illumination
9	Toy Story 4	2019	$1,073,394,593	Pixar / Disney
10	Toy Story 3	2010	$1,066,970,811	Pixar / Disney

As we can see, 3D animated movies have firmly secured their place among the top box-office hits. Today, they rival live-action films in both spectacle and commercial success. The top-ranking titles prove audiences expect visual excellence from animation and emotionally resonant storytelling.

At Acquisition.mobi, we specialize in 3D animation driven by artistic vision and expressive storytelling. Our focus goes beyond technical execution—we aim to convey atmosphere, character depth, and narrative emotion through every detail. Our goal is to deliver animation that captures attention and creates a lasting emotional impression.

Don’t go further! Contact us at cgi@acquisition.mobi and book a free consultation for your 3D project with our Head of CGI.