3D is something that started as a gimmick when movie theaters were trying to win back audiences in the early days of TV. It quickly became a staple of the horror genre that came and went in waves, with the genre especially popular in the early eighties. After the first Avatar came out, it led to a huge resurgence in the technology, as 3D became radically different than the cheap gimmick it was once seen as. However, not all 3D movies are created equal, so here’s a list o 10 of our favorites.
Tim Burton has a very specific style and type of films that appeal to many, but definitely not all. This one is a case of looks over content. The film itself is, admittedly, not that great, but the 3D and design of the film are absolutely gorgeous. The story is Alice in Wonderland through Burton’s lens so it is what is it, but that 3D is scrumptious and will pull anyone watching right in. Of course, this one is better on the big screen than at home. The experience is quite something with the right quality of image and sound.
A 3D Shakespeare adaptation, from 1953 no less? Yes, please! Of course, this film has not aged especially well. However, the dancing in 3D redeems almost all. While impossibly dated in some ways, it must be viewed through a 1950s lens. Also, 3D wasn’t exactly a big thing back then, so it comes as an interesting add-on to this film and really gives it that extra oomph.
An oldie but a goodie. Well, kind of… The film is not the best of the series, but it has its moments. The fun here is that the 3D is widely and easily available on blu ray disc with a pair of old school 3D glasses included in the releases that have it. The film looks dated and so does the 3D, but it’s fun to see how far 3D in horror movies has gotten between this one and Freddy’s Dead nine years later.
Another 1950s entry, this one is a horror classic and a must see in 3D. It’s a lovely film with strong black and white imagery that creates quite the world for the characters to evolve in. It’s a bit harder to get to see in 3D these days, but if it comes through your town or near enough, it is absolutely worth the price of entry and gas to get there. This is a beloved film for a reason, it’s a classic about the outsider, otherness, love, and acceptance. Seeing it in 3D makes it a whole new experience.
The sixth entry in the Nightmare on Elm Street series is not entirely in 3D, but it still counts in our bloody hearts. The 3D here is fun and it really adds to Rachel Talalay’s film. Freddy was being killed off, supposedly for good here, and the film needed that extra little something to add a marketing gimmick to it all. While it may have been a gimmick at the start, it’s a lot of fun overall. Does it bring a lot to the movie? Not really. Does it add to the fun? Absolutely. The few 3D sequences are great to watch on the big screen, but they also work pretty well on home theater or television screens.
The first in what James Cameron hopes will be a long-running series is still to this day an achievement in 3D technology. Whether a fan of the film or not, the 3D here is excellent. The new technology that Cameron created, or had created for him, shows on the screen. Seeing it in the theatre is a must if possible as it’s one of those experiences that is memorable no matter what. And just wait until you see the sequel…
This fantastic kids’ film has some amazing 3D, the film is built for it, but it does something most don’t seem to understand by giving the audience more than flying goo and meatballs at the viewer. It uses the 3D to help build its world and show the flying firebreathers in their full glory. This 3D film makes adults feel like kids again.
This one is one lots of folks have seen in 3D, so it doesn’t really need much of an introduction. While it looks absolutely fantastic on the big screen, the 3D may not translate too well to smaller screen, so it’s one that requires the proper equipment to watch in 3D at home. The buildings and worlds folding onto themselves, for lack of a better explanation, are worth the price of 3D admission alone.
This one was a re-release as a 3D film and the conversion here works so well, it makes it look as if the film was originally done in 3D. This conversion is a prime example of when it works, it works. The stop-motion animation of Henry Selick’s film is the perfect canvas for the upgrade. The film itself is just as good in 3D and the music by Danny Elfman fits just right still. This is one of those cases where the film was not created in 3D, but definitely looks like it could have been. It’s one of the more fun 3D adaptations out there.
3D or not, this is one of the best Spider-Man films ever made and that’s a fact! The art put on the screen here is amazing, the voice acting is on point, the story is great. The 3D here works so well with everything on the screen that it helps create an even more immersive universe for the viewer. There is a warning for those with strobe sensitivity for the movie in 2D and it must be noted that it is even stronger in the 3D version. However, seeing it in 3D for those who can is a must!
Which film would you add to to this list? Let us know in the comments.