Incredible Behind-The-Scenes Photos That Show The Difference Special Effects Make

Technology is really amazing.

When I was a kid, we were still using puppets and men in suits to make movie monsters. Now, they're all made on the computer.

In fact, a surprising amount of what you see on a movie screen is added in after filming wraps.

And photos from the set show just how different things look in real life:

Life of Pi

Alice In Wonderland

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Cinderella

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

For a closer look at how the cast transformed for the movie, check out this behind-the-scenes video.

The Wolf of Wall Street

For this shot, the lion was real but his human co-stars were added in later.

Wonder Woman

District 9

Ender's Game

Game of Thrones

Of course, this HBO fantasy show isn't a movie, but it relies on special effects as much as any blockbuster.

Including when its actors transform into their characters.

Beauty and the Beast

If you really want to appreciate Emma Watson's performance, you can watch them tape this scene before the beast's costume is added on.

The Hobbit

Oz the Great and Powerful

The Harry Potter series

Quidditch is obviously tricky to film...

And so are floating books.

The Jungle Book

The Great Gatsby

Avatar

The Matrix

Everest

Inception

The movie's gravity-defying scenes were pulled off using giant, rotating sets.

You can see the set in motion in this video.

Okja

Man of Steel

Guardians of the Galaxy

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Forrest Gump

The Lord of the Rings

300: Rise of an Empire

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Iron Man 2

Gravity

Captain America

Notice: Chris Evans is shrunk down to play his scrawny character before he transforms into Captain America.

The Avengers

If these pictures surprised you, maybe you missed these 10 Tiny Details From Ferris Bueller's Day Off too.

And if you're craving more before and after photos, find out what these 21 Child Stars From the '80s Look Like Today.