Best 3D Movies
Many of the best 3D movies have been released in recent years, but did you realize that 3D technology has been around since the 1890s? Of course, those techniques were pretty crude, and even 3D films from the 70s and 80s were nothing compared to the amazing effects contained in movies such as Avatar. But for moviegoers who like plenty of options, these films provide yet another way to enjoy the latest offerings from Hollywood. Home entertainment systems will soon feature the technology, and, as of 2005, none other than Steven Spielberg was trying to patent a system that didn’t require the use of those pesky glasses. In short, the 3-D movie explosion continues.
Below, I’ve listed some–but not all–of the best 3D movies ever made. Yes, I realize that I left the Spider-Man movies off the list, but I wanted to give some lesser-known 3D films a moment in the spotlight. All of these movies can be purchases on Amazon, of course, and we get a small commission for sending you there. Sadly, you’ll have to be content to watch these films in 2D at home…at least until the aforementioned technology hits the market.
If you can’t wait, here are a few links to 3D products currently available from Amazon:
Now let’s look at some of the best 3D film ever made…
- Avatar (2009) – The all-time box office champ and a film that’s helped cement the popularity of 3D movies, James Cameron’s epic combines live-action with CGI to produce a visual feast that far overshadows the clunky script. Both adults and children will be in awe, and even the most cynical filmgoer will have a tough time denying the movie’s impact on the future of the industry.
- Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) – I’ll bet you didn’t know that this classic monster movie was originally filmed and released in the 3D format. One of many creature features released by Universal Studios, Creature from the Black Lagoon concerns a group of geologists in the Amazon and their discovery of fossils that appear to link mammals and amphibians. Further proof is witnessed when the Gill-Man takes a shine to a female member of the expedition.
- Friday the 13th Part III (1982) – While this 3D film isn’t high art, it does remain one of my personal favorites. The techniques were much simpler back then, with a weapon or some other object occasionally flying out to give the audience a shock. Jason finally gets his iconic hockey mask, and 3D effects include a pitchfork and a spear shortly before they collide with their unlucky victims. Even in 2D, the kills are outstanding.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – While Tim Burton’s animated holiday classic was released in the early 90s, it would get the 3D treatment in 2006. But regardless of the format, the stop motion tale of Jack Skellington and his efforts to take over Christmas are filled with wonder and the visual pop we’ve come to expect from a Burton film. Danny Elfman provides the singing voice of Skellington, which makes me feel like I’m at an Oingo Boingo concert.
- Up (2009) – The adventures of a cranky old man and a young boy trying to earn a merit badge, Up recently won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards. The win was well-deserved, as this tale of making up for lost time is sure to push the buttons of even the most hard-hearted viewer. The dog named Dug (with a special collar that allows him to speak) was a personal favorite.
- Beowulf (2007) – Using performance capture technology, there are times during Beowulf where you’ll forget that the on-screen characters aren’t made of flesh and blood. It’s that realistic. It’s also a rousing retelling of the epic poem written somewhere between the 8th and 11th century, with the excellent Ray Winstone providing the voice and movements for the heroic Beowulf. Co-stars include Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, Crispin Glover, John Malkovich and Robin Wright Penn.
- Coraline (2009) – Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman, Coraline combines fantasy, horror, and stop-motion animation to tale the tell the story of a lonely girl who feels neglected by her parents. When she discovers a dark world populated by kindly doppelgangers, she’s initially thrilled. Then she learns that things aren’t as nice as she once thought, and Coraline must win a wager or spend eternity in the twisted Other World.
- Hondo (1953) – John Wayne in a 3D movie? That’s right, pilgrim. The Duke plays Hondo Lane, a former cavalry scout who becomes a boy’s step-father after killing his biological dad. The relationship of the family is explored, but the biggest menace is an Apache chief. Based on a novel by Louis L’Amour and co-starring Geraldine Page.
Monsters vs. Aliens (2009) – The first computer animated film to be produced especially for the 3-D format, this DreamWorks picture features the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Stephen Colbert, Paul Rudd, Will Arnett and Kiefer Sutherland. When Susan Murphy is hit by a meteorite on her wedding day, she finds herself filled with space radiation and growing to gigantic proportions. Captured by the military, she’s placed in captivity with other “monsters.” But when a galactic tyrant tracks the source of the radiation to Earth and seeks to conquer it, Susan and her new pals must team up to save the day.
Toy Story (1995) – Released in 3D in 2009, Toy Story shows what goes on behind the scenes when children aren’t playing with their dolls and action figures. A heroic space ranger named Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) is added to the collection of toys, and a cowboy named Woody (Tom Hanks) becomes jealous and seeks to knock him down a peg or two. Composer Randy Newman provides the catchy theme song (“You’ve Got a Friend in Me”), and the film has another sequel coming out in the summer of 2010.
For more great movie recommendations, try the following:
- Good Movies Coming in 2011
- The 13 Best Jason Voorhees Kills
- Most Influential Films of the Last Decade
This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 2:33 pm and is filed under Good Movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
10 Responses to “Best 3D Movies”
I think 3d movies are very cool and awsome i have polar express in 3d and regular e-mail me at sandjet@aol.com see ya guys and girls men and ladies
I thought the 3D in the film Avatar was very disappointing.
In my opinion the best 3D effects i have seen in a movie to date is ‘My Bloody Valentine’
The 3D in Pixar’s UP did little to enhance the film. It may have made it worse due to the dimming of the vibrant colors.
It made a marvelous difference in How to Train Your Dragon which was also a very aerial film. People are wondering on two different lists why it doesn’t get acknowledged.
To the credit of the list I did not know Hondo was shot in 3D.
Toy Story 3 was one of the best films made, let alone 3D. My children watch it very often. However, the best 3d movie is still Avatar when considering the modern method that Cameron helped invent. I find that the directors are not using 3d to help tell the story, but the movie heads are using 3d to sell higher ticket prices. Not really a fair exchange.
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David
Honestly, I can do without another 3D flick. But I must admit I enjoyed Avatars interpretation. But wow seems every movie coming out is now 3D. What about solid plots? Yeah now I’d pay to see that.