25 Shocking CGI Movie Moments That Left You Speechless

Of course, there had been superhero movies before 2008, with the likes of Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Blade taking up such pre-MCU real estate. However, when Iron Man released, the game was changed for the entire genre, not just with the inception of the MCU, but with the leap forward in visuals.

Tony Stark's Mark III suit was unlike anything else around at the time, and in classic comic book movie style, the costume was kept hidden for much of the film. The full reveal came as Iron Man dropped in for a superhero landing in Gulmira, showing it off in all its glory.

Aside from the mechanics of the suit itself, there was the chrome reflectiveness that was jaw-dropping. Particularly taking into account the shape Marvel Studios was in at the time, far from the juggernaut it is today, and with a very uncertain future ahead of it, Iron Man's visual effects were an utter triumph.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer had achieved brilliant effects with the titular Herald of Galactus just one year prior, but Iron Man took that next step forward, which for a film based around a character who was far from a top-tier name at the time, was outrageous.