A recent example of cinematic innovation is Here, a film by Robert Zemeckis based on the graphic novel of the same name. As the title suggests, the movie is told from a single fixed point in time, with the camera remaining still, witnessing the passage of centuries and the life of a family. Time is "fragmented" within this single continuous frame, showcasing the vast potential of cinema’s fundamental unit: the shot.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is on this list not only for being the first animated feature film in history but also for legitimizing animation as a form of artistic expression. Additionally, it was the first full-length feature to be entirely in color—something we take for granted today but which was a groundbreaking innovation at the time.
The tracking shot – or the "long take" without cuts – has fascinated filmmakers for decades despite its technical challenges. With Rope, Alfred Hitchcock was one of the first directors to overcome these limitations. Even though he had to "hide" the cuts, this was the first feature-length film to give the illusion of being shot in a single continuous take.
There’s much debate about TRON as a film—whether it has a well-defined dramatic arc or if its story is truly significant—but its place in cinema history is undeniable. It pushed the boundaries of what was possible with computer-generated special effects, paving the way for the digital age of filmmaking.
Today, computer animation is the norm, but in 1995, a fully computer-animated feature film was unheard of. Toy Story not only told a great story but also made history as the first feature-length film created entirely with CGI, revolutionizing the film industry.