13 Funny Photos of Miniatures and Practical Props

Miniatures and practical props were part of filmmaking long before digital effects became the norm. Small scale sets, models, and physical figures were built to represent large structures, fantastical scenes, or dramatic moments in a controlled and tangible way. These behind-the-scenes photos show how filmmakers used tiny replicas and handcrafted pieces to create some of the most memorable visuals in genre films. From miniature cities to scaled down vehicles and creatures, the ingenuity of practical effects teams shines through. The images below capture the charm, craftsmanship, and often unexpected humor found in the miniature worlds that helped bring big cinematic moments to life.

Ghostbusters 1984 – Stay Puft Marshmallow Man Miniature

The city destruction sequence was filmed using scaled-down building models covered in shaving foam to simulate debris and smoke during the Stay Puft scenes.

The Lord of the Rings 2001–2003 – Minas Tirith Bigature

Weta Workshop built a massive, detailed miniature of Minas Tirith, often called a bigature due to its size, used for wide shots and siege sequences.

Blade Runner 1982 – Los Angeles Cityscape Model

Large-scale miniatures, combined with smoke and layered lighting, created the dense, futuristic skyline seen in exterior shots.

Jurassic Park 1993 – T Rex Practical Model

Alongside CGI, a full scale animatronic T-rex and miniature environments were used for close interactions and rain soaked sequences.

Independence Day 1996 – White House Miniature

The destruction of the White House was achieved by detonating a highly detailed scale model filmed at high speed for realism.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 2001 – Hogwarts Castle Model

A detailed miniature of Hogwarts was used for exterior flying shots and wide establishing scenes throughout the series.

Batman 1989 – Gotham City Miniatures

Anton Furst’s production design relied on large scale models to create Gotham’s industrial skyline and cathedral sequences.

Titanic 1997 – Ship Miniature

Several detailed scale models of the Titanic were built for sinking sequences, combined with water tanks and practical effects.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind 1977 – Devil’s Tower Model

A sculpted miniature of Devil’s Tower was used for multiple wide shots and interior lighting effects.

Mad Max Fury Road 2015 – Vehicle Miniatures

Miniature versions of vehicles were used for certain crash tests and wide shots before blending with live action.

The Grand Budapest Hotel 2014 – Hotel Exterior Model

Wes Anderson used a carefully crafted miniature of the hotel for exterior shots, giving the film its storybook quality.

Back to the Future Part III 1990 – Train Ravine Model

The dramatic train plunge sequence used a carefully constructed miniature of the ravine and locomotive, filmed at high speed to simulate realistic weight and motion.

The Empire Strikes Back 1980 – Hoth Battle Miniatures

The Battle of Hoth sequences were filmed using detailed miniature snowspeeders, AT-AT walkers, and snow covered terrain models. High-speed photography helped sell the scale and weight of the vehicles.