13 photos that show how 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' looks without visual effects

It takes a lot of visual effects work to bring a Marvel movie to life.Marvel Studios

• Over a dozen VFX studios helped bring "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" to life.
• Insider pulled shots from videos by Digital Domain and Trixter, and an "Assembled" episode on the film.

Whenever you see Doctor Strange soaring through the skies of New York City or Kamar-Taj, that's not all movie magic.

Benedict Cumberbatch really did "fly."      Marvel Studios

Benedict Cumberbatch was flying through the air on wires a lot of the time.

Benedict Cumberbatch is seen on the set of "Doctor Strange 2."      Marvel Studios

Doctor Strange really did go over a balcony in this scene.

Benedict Cumberbatch dives over a balcony in "Doctor Strange 2."      Marvel Studios

He just wasn't dropping down as far as the film made you believe.

The dive over the balcony was real with a safe fall below.      Marvel Studios

Small fake blossoms were tied to trees in order to make them look like authentic apple blossoms.

According to Disney+'s "Assembled: The Making of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," Marvel wasn't able to shoot in an orchard with apple blossoms because of the pandemic.      Marvel Studios

When Wanda lifts her spell to show their surroundings are decaying, there's a blue screen behind the duo.

Two different areas were used to film the scene where Wanda and Doctor Strange first meet.      Marvel Studios

When Wanda was floating with the Darkhold, she had a little bit of help to stay elevated.

Movie magic helped Wanda look like she was floating.      Marvel Studios

Elizabeth Olsen was seated while she was spell casting.

Elizabeth Olsen levitated with the help of a special seat.      Marvel Studios

Wanda became momentarily trapped in an enchanted room in Kamar-Taj.

Elizabeth Olsen in "Doctor Strange 2."      Marvel Studios

Olsen was actually surrounded by green screens, getting moved around on a giant platform.

Elizabeth Olsen, behind the scenes, in "Doctor Strange 2."      Marvel Studios

Wong helped fortify Kamar-Taj to prepare for the Scarlet Witch's imminent arrival.

Scarlet Witch pays a visit to Kamar-Taj in "Doctor Strange 2."      Marvel Studios

A lot of the Kamar-Taj set was tangible for the actors so they could destroy sections of it.

According to the "Assembled" episode, the Kamar-Taj scenes were shot on three different stages.      Marvel Studios

You may have thought all of the Scarlet Witch's magic was purely special effects, but that wasn't the case.

Elizabeth Olsen in "Doctor Strange 2."      Marvel Studios

Olsen wore little lights on her hands in order to guide where beams should come out.

Elizabeth Olsen was often held up by wires on set as well.      Marvel Studios

Captain Marvel was the only member of the Illuminati to almost overpower the Scarlet Witch.

Captain Marvel and the Scarlet Witch face off.      Marvel Studios

Lashana Lynch was really held up high above Olsen to bring the fight to life.

Here's how that Captain Marvel and Scarlet Witch fight really looked.      Marvel Studios

When the Scarlet Witch pulls America Chavez back towards her at the Illuminati compound, the character gets yanked across the floor.

The Scarlet Witch gets a hold of America Chavez.      Marvel Studios

Star Xochitl Gomez was pulled back quickly by wires.

The Scarlet Witch uses her powers to get America at her side.      Marvel Studios

Wong really did lay on an icy-looking surface after Wanda threw him off a cliff.

Wong wakes up on a massive cliff in "Doctor Strange 2."      Marvel Studios

But he was mostly surrounded by green screens.

The majority of the mountain was actually green screen.      Marvel Studios

Not even something as simple as the beard on the zombified Strange was real.

That beard was added in by VFX house Trixter.      Marvel Studios

That was also added in from special effects.

This was one of 80 shots that Trixter worked on in the "Doctor Strange" sequel.      Marvel Studios

As Christine and Stephen Strange walk through a parallel universe, they see cars floating in the air.

Doctor Strange and Christine Palmer in "Doctor Strange 2."      Marvel Studios

Some vehicles really did dangle on set.

Cars were lifted off the ground on the set of "Doctor Strange 2."      Marvel Studios

When Christine Palmer was fighting off the Mount Wundagore spirits near the film's end, her sparring partner looked a little different.

Christine Palmer in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."      Marvel Studios

She was really fending off a massive green structure.

Christine Palmer in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."      Marvel Studios