
Flubber (1997) & The Nutty Professor (1996): The 90s CGI Boom
From Journey Through Sci-Fi: Science Fiction Film History by James Payne
December 4, 2025 · 1h 4m · Season 7 · Episode 24
About this episode
The episode explores the impact of 90s CGI on films Flubber and The Nutty Professor.
This week on Journey Through Sci-Fi, we revisit Flubber (1997) and The Nutty Professor (1996) to explore how both films became showcases for the 90s CGI boom. We look at how early digital effects, morphing tech, ILM's rubbery animation, and ambitious makeup and prosthetics reshaped the mad-scientist trope for a family audience. From Eddie Murphy's multi-character transformations to Flubber's bouncy CGI flying rubber, we break down the moment Hollywood shifted from practical FX to digital spectacle and what effect it had on the depiction of Mad Science. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Support the podcast on PATREON Add us on INSTAGRAM Find us on TIKTOK Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD
People in this episode
Host: James Payne
Topics covered
- 90s CGI
- digital effects
- mad-scientist trope
- family audience
- Hollywood effects
- Flubber
- The Nutty Professor
Keywords
- CGI
- Flubber
- The Nutty Professor
- Eddie Murphy
- digital effects
- mad science
- Hollywood
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: ILM
Books & works: Flubber, The Nutty Professor
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