When it comes to wowing the audience with mind-bending action sequences or enthralling them with scenes of an intergalactic war, 3D has become pretty much the go-to choice of film-makers. And even though the reliance on CGI and other cutting-edge visual effects techniques balloons up the budget, the end result is something that’s totally worth it. But are all movies worth watching in 3D? Remember the awful The Last Airbender, anyone? Well, we haven’t forgotten it either, which is why we bring you a list of the best 3D movies released in the past few years that are totally worth watching in a visually immersive fashion. The films on our list fall into different genre ranging from animated flicks and drama to high-octane action films. So, let’s wait no more and get straight to business.
Best 3D Movies You Should Not Miss Out On
1. Avengers: Infinity War
IMDb Rating: 8.5
What started in 2008 with Iron Man slowly built up towards an earth-shattering conclusion of a cinematic superhero saga whose first entry was Avengers: Infinity War. All that build-up over the course of a decade and anticipation really paid off in a huge fashion, bringing the spectacle of one terrifying villain, a huge superhero roster and class-defining visuals with some of the most eye-popping CGI effects we’ve seen in a movie recently. The storyline is gripping, the action scenes are awesome and the environments created in the movie across different planets and dimensions is simply amazing, all of which comes alive when you experience the movie in 3D.
2. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park managed to terrify audience unlike any other movie in that era, and that too, without using true-to-life CGI effects and relying on camera magic instead. The latest film in the much-loved franchise, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, adopts a more modern approach by blending class-leading visual effects to make the dinosaurs appear more realistic and frightening, and the end result was an impressive exhibition of the film-making. The sheer brilliance of the CGI effects created a life-like scenario which depicted the now-extinct species in more details and realistic fashion than ever before.
3. Ready Player One
IMDb rating: 7.5/10
Directed by none other than Steven Spielberg, Ready Player One is set in a futuristic era where people adopt a different persona in a virtual world. The movie’s plot and settings are tailor-made for 3D film-making and once you’ve seen the movie, you’ll realize the hard work that went into creating the mind-bending effects and the neon visuals of the OASIS to keep you immersed. High-quality telecine of the original camera recording was used to digitally recreate the scenes viewers saw on the large screen. The virtual space depicted in Ready Player One was based on a hotel in The Shining, whose original film footage was post-processed to make it appear nearly identical in Spielberg’s latest outing.
4. Aquaman
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Shooting underwater sequences is never an easy task. So it is natural that in case of the freshly released Aquaman, a movie which is set two-thirds in the ocean, it was a titanic task to create authentic visuals that can capture an entire world in all its glory and depict the movements of characters in a life-like manner. Yet, director James Wan managed to accomplish all that and succeeded in enthralling the moviegoers. The spectacle of giant tides, colossal sea monsters swimming freely and the great fight sequences make Aquaman an eye-candy and one of the best movies to come out of DC’s stable in a long, long time.
5. Zootopia
IMDb Rating: 8/10
Animated movies and 3D effects go hand in hand, and when a 3D-ready animated movie also features a bunch of unforgettable characters and excellent story, there is nothing that can stop people from running towards the nearest theatre. Zootopia was one such movie and its star-studded voice actor cast further added to the film’s appeal. The film, which follows the exploits of a rabbit law enforcement official and a trickster red fox, Zootopia managed to win the hearts of moviegoers and also grabbed an Academy Award for the Best Animated Feature Film of the year while also pulling in over a billion dollars in box office receipts.
6. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Fresh out of the cinematic oven, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has been labeled as the Spider-Man movie fans have been longing for, and one they truly deserve. The film brings the Spider-verse, a multi-verse in the web-slinging superhero’s comic world, to the big screen and does so in an incredible manner alongside introducing fan-favorite Miles Morales to the cinematic audience. Sony employed its largest ever crew of animation experts to work on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and their efforts have certainly paid off with the film’s distinctive visual styling which is even more enjoyable in 3D.
7. Black Panther
IMDb: 7.3/10
If there is one movie which created waves this year and truly stood out, it was Black Panther. Hands down one of the most stylish action movies released in past few years, Black Panther brought a fresh new take on the superhero genre and enthralled audience with some stunning action sequences, great visual effects especially those depicting the Wakandan world, the cast’s performance, and the thumping background score. And from what I’ve seen and heard, 3D is the appropriate way to truly enjoy Black Panther and witness the turning of a new page in Marvel’s superhero saga.
8. Incredibles 2
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
It took Pixar and Disney fourteen long years to come up with a sequel to the original Incredibles movie, but the wait was totally worth it. The Incredibles 2 brings the super-powered family’s adventures back the large screen, and this time, the action sequences are more awe-inspiring and the visual effects are more refined than its predecessor. Incredibles 2 received widespread acclaim for its incredible animation as well as the story, all of which helped the movie gross over a billion dollars on the worldwide box office.
9. Rampage
IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is awesome. Put him in a movie with colossal monsters and the awesome factor instantly doubles. Rampage is one such movie, but if you can set aside the charisma of its lead actor, the movie is a festival of eye-catching visual effects and CGI depicting huge monster tearing apart buildings like cookies. Thousands of photographs were captured using 3D scanners to create the city’s model and motion cameras were used to capture Chicago’s skyline for the movie’s climactic battle scene for a realistic depiction of the carnage and destruction.
10. Moana
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Regarded as one of the most entertaining animated movies to come from Disney’s stable in the past few years, Moana drew considerable praise for its story, songs and above all, the gorgeous visuals which are best suited for a 3D experience. A mix of hand-drawn and 3D computer animation was used to create the beautiful scenes depicting the moving tattoos which adorn the body of the character Maui and the oceanic expanse respectively. The film also garnered an Academy Awards nomination and went on to score big at the global box office.
11. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
The Star Wars series is among the pioneers of advanced visual effects in movies and the latest installation of the blockbuster franchise, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, doesn’t disappoint. The Episode VIII of the saga is a CGI and visual effects feast, be it the force-heavy fights, lightsaber duels or giant spaceships and fighter jets blowing each other to smithereens. While the story is gripping and the emotional weight is too heavy for fans (R.I.P Han Solo), but from a general perspective, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is one movie that should ideally be watched in 3D in order to truly enjoy what the director has created for fans.
12. The Jungle Book
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Watch The Jungle Book in 3D for its sheer beauty, period. A star-studded voice cast and gripping story are all fine, but the attention to detail paid in creating the animals and the whole jungle itself is clearly visible from the stunning imagery that will enthrall you from the get-go. And it’s not just the animals themselves, the body language and the facial expressions are all depicted with such finesse and details that you’ll be hard-pressed to think that it’s not the actual animals uttering those dialogues and communicating with the lead character. I can say this, without an iota of doubt, that the Jungle Book is one of the best movies when it comes to showcasing the magic of life-like visual effects at its finest.
13. Kong: Skull Island
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
There is just something about giant monsters that cinemagoers can’t get enough of, after all, who doesn’t love two freaks of nature duking it out, using trees as a club and crushing tanks like it was made of paper. Kong: Skull Island brings all that to the big screen with awe-inspiring 3D visuals that will spike your heartbeat every time King Kong or any other monster in the movie charges ahead. The pristine habitat of an unexplored land and its megafauna are portrayed in a realistic form and scaled with such accuracy that you won’t be left unimpressed.
14. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Everyone’s favorite movie about a bunch of intergalactic misfits and their misadventures, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 entertained moviegoers more than any other Marvel cinematic film in the past few years. But quirky oneliners, awesome soundtrack, and cool gadgets aside, the film’s breathtaking CGI the and incredible use of visual effects is something that truly sets Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 apart. Characters like Groot and Rocket Raccoon were so realistic in their facial expressions and movements that one can’t help but wonder the hard work that went into their creation. Every frame in the movie is worth being enjoyed in 3D and I say this from my personal experience.
15. Thor: Ragnarok
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Thor: Ragnarok, the latest film in the Thor trilogy, is also the best one in the series. The story is good, the comedic elements are just awesome and the fight sequences are stylishly choreographed. But what truly stands out in case of the Taika Waititi-directed movie is the impressive use of stereoscopic CGI and visual effects which comes to life when the movie is seen in 3D. The experience of watching Thor’s electrifying entry for his battle with Hela backed by the rousing guitar riffs of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Immigrant Song’ is something you don’t want to miss out on.
16. Aladdin
IMDb Rating: 7/10
The live-action adaptation of one of the most-loved children’s stories makes Aladdin a treat to watch. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and directed by Guy Ritchie, the movie stars noted stars including Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, and Navid Negahban. The plot revolves around Aladdin, a street urchin, and the beautiful princess Jasmine. Courtesy the fascinating story and the top-notch screenplay, the movie proved to be a big hit grossing over 1 billion worldwide.
17. Avengers Endgame
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Is there a need to explain why this movie should be watched in 3D? Avengers Endgame concludes the tale of Marvel superheroes in their battle against the Mad Titan, Thanos, who has already wiped out half of all life across the universe. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, the movie boasts an ensemble cast including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, and Paul Rudd. As for the story, it’s about the surviving members of the Avengers and their allies’ tireless attempt to reverse the massive damage caused by Thanos in the Infinity War.
18. Godzilla: King of the Monsters
IMDb Rating: 6/10
Directed by Michael Dougherty, Godzilla: King of the Monsters is a monster film – the sequel to the 2014 film Godzilla. It’s the 35th movie in the Godzilla franchise and features noted actors including Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, and Bradley Whitford. The story is about humans who have to join hands with Godzilla and Mothra to defeat King Ghidorah in order to save the world from destruction. Furthermore, its upcoming sequel called Godzilla vs Kong is set to release on November 20, 2020.
19. The Lion King
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
The Lion King is a remake of Disney’s 1994 film of the same name. The movie has been directed and produced by Jon Favreau and stars the voices of well-known actors including Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Alfre Woodard. The story revolves around Simba, a young lion who must have to embrace his new role as the king of the native land after the shocking death of his father called Mufasa. With over $1.6 billion box office collection worldwide, The Lion King surpassed Frozen to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time.
20. Pokemon: Detective Pikachu
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Ryan Reynolds is the voice of Pikachu in Pokemon: Detective Pikachu. Need I say more? The realistically furry version of the yellow Pokemon looks cute beyond measure, and that detective hat makes Pikachu look incredible. Appearance aside, the urban fantasy mystery film is basically a loose adaptation of the 2016 video game of the same name. The first live-action Pokemon film is about aspiring trainer Tim Goodman and the titular Pokemon as they endeavor to find out the mysterious disappearance of Tim’s father, Harry.
21. Gravity
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Gravity (2013) is a top-notch science-fiction thriller movie directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Starring leading actors like Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, the movie has a gripping story. It’s about American astronauts (Bullock and Clooney) who have been stranded in space after the mid-orbit destruction of their Space Shuttle and their passionate attempt to return to Earth. With the stunning direction and visuals, the movie not only received critical acclaim but also grossed over $723 million worldwide ($100 million budget).
22. Avatar
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Have you set your sight on watching an epic science film? If yes, I would recommend you to watch Avatar. Written and directed by James Cameron, the film is set in the mid-22nd century. The story is about humans’ attempt to colonize pandora and the local tribe Na’vi’s (humanoid species) incredible resistance to safeguard pandora from destruction. Beyond the interesting story, the movie stars leading names including Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sigourney Weaver.
Get the Best 3D Experience with These Movies
That concludes our list of the best 3D movies that you simply cannot afford to miss. What do you have to say about the flicks we mentioned above? Did we miss any noteworthy movie released in the past few years that’s totally worth watching in 3D? Do let us know in the comments section below and share the awesomeness with the world.
