Computer-generated imagery (CGI) has revolutionized filmmaking over the past fifty years, but it hasn't come cheap. Producing CGI often demands advanced technology and can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per minute of screen time. Even as software improves, computing power grows, and tools become more accessible, expenses remain high due to the need for larger teams and rising expectations for visual quality. Despite the cost, CGI continues to be both a major draw for audiences and one of the largest investments in animated film production.
