While makeup is often used in film to beautify the appearance of actors and actresses, it is also used to transform them into fantasy characters. Even with computer-generated imagery (CGI), special effects makeup is still critical in helping live actors and actresses look authentic in the CGI world surrounding them; imagine Frodo with perfectly rounded ears and normal, hairless feet, and you understand how important the special effects makeup artist’s tiniest jobs can sometimes be. Not only must the artist be well-versed in conventional makeup, he or she must also be knowledgeable when it comes to the use of prosthetics, often made of latex, silicone, rubber, fake blood, and other materials.
As the audience, we tend to overlook the important job of the special effects makeup artist. Today, we pay homage to these unsung heroes by checking out the most incredible makeup transformations ever seen in movies and television. Use the photo slider to compare the before and afters.
Seriously, what sorcery is this?
Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique in X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Ian Gavan / Getty Images / Marvel Entertainment
Jim Carrey as The Grinch in How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Jason LaVeris / FilmMagic / Via Everett (Grinch)
John Travolta as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray (1997)
Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images / New Line Cinema
Johnny Depp, Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Kevin Mazur / WireImage / Via 20th Century Fox Film Corp. / Everett (Scissorhands)
Michael Keaton, Beetlejuice (1988)
Time & Life Pictures / Getty / Via Everett (Beetlejuice)
Nicole Kidman as Virginia Woolf in The Hours (2002)
Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images / Miramax Films
Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter series (2001-11)
Michael Kovac / Getty Images / Warner Bros.
Ray Park as Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Dimitrios Kambouris / WireImage / Via Everett (Star Wars)
Ron Perlman as Hellboy in Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images / Universal Pictures
Doug Jones as Abe Sapien in Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images / Via Columbia / Everett (Hellboy II)
Danny DeVito as The Penguin in Batman Returns (1992)
Vince Bucci / Getty / Via Warner Bros. / courtesy Everett Collection (Batman)
Doug Jones as Pale Man in Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Brad Barket / Getty Images / Warner Bros. Pictures
Dustin Hoffman, Hook (1991)
Time & Life Pictures / Via TriStar Pictures / Everett (Hook)
Eddie Murphy, Norbit (2007)
Christopher Polk / Getty Images / DreamWorks Pictures
Emma Thompson, Nanny McPhee (2005)
Kevin Winter / Getty Images / Universal Pictures
Eric Stoltz as Roy L. ‘Rocky’ Dennis in Mask (1985)
Ron Galella / WireImage / Via Universal / Everett (Mask)
Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight (2012)
Evan Agostini / Getty Images / DC Comics
Hugh Grant, Cloud Atlas (2012)
Ben Pruchnie / Getty Images / Warner Bros. Pictures
Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle in The Fly (1986)
20th Century Fox / 20th Century Fox
Eric Bana as Nero in Star Trek (2009)
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Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
Vince Bucci / Getty Images / Warner Bros. Pictures
Charlize Theron as Aileen Wuornos in Monster (2003)
Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images / Columbia Pictures
Have you ever paid attention to the special effects makeup when you watched these movies? The transformations are just incredible. Share these with others below.