Does anyone remember 3D? Slated to be the next big thing in visual fidelity across all genres and formats of entertainment, the promise to bring normal 2D experiences to life in vivid color was the coolest thing to be discussed in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
But as the years have gone on, companies, enthusiasts and other voices of the industry have seemingly forgotten about this supposed cutting-edge technology, leaving the glasses to rust in the corner and the technology to be shelved.
Regardless, there is still life left in the tech courtesy of 3D movies on Netflix, and that is exactly what we are going to discuss today.
You can still enjoy a cherry-picked list of titles in full stereoscopic 3D, provided you still have a pair of those dusty glasses lying around.
So without further ado, here are the best 3D movies on Netflix!
How To Watch 3D Movies On Netflix
Before we jump in, here are a few things that you will have to take note of. To watch a movie on Netflix in full stereoscopic 3D, there are a few prerequisites-
- A TV capable of 3D visuals, such as a Sony Bravia. Without the inbuilt support, you won’t be able to watch movies in 3D.
- A stable internet connection that has a speed of around ~12 Mbps, to avoid rebuffering and for smooth playback.
- A Netflix subscription. We recommend going for whatever Premium plan they are offering so that you can take advantage of the other goodies that come with it, including the full HD viewing pleasure.
- You need to be in the US. Currently, this tech only has a definitive rollout here in the States, and for the rest of the world, we are sorry. There is no viable option for you to watch 3D movies on Netflix.
With that out of the way, let’s take a look at some movies you can enjoy in full 3D and watch as the action surrounds you.
How To Find 3D Movies On Netflix
To find 3D movies on Netflix, all you have to do is to have the above prerequisites, and you will automatically be able to watch movies in 3D, albeit only from the list below, and a few others.
Now, let’s jump straight into our list.
The Best 3D Movies On Netflix Right Now (Plus 2023 Releases)
Beowulf (2007)
One of the first full 3D movies that we ever got, Beowulf is the representation of an era of movies gone by. With super old technology, a dark and gritty revisiting of a classic tale, and all-around cheap action and set pieces, the movie carries its own specific charm.
Beowulf is a ‘modern’ CGI retelling of the classic Old English epic poem. Featuring the voices of Ray Winstone as the titular character, Crispin Glover as Grendel and Angelina Jolie as Grendel’s mother, the primary antagonists, and several other A-list acting greats lending their voices to the movie such as Brendan Gleeson, Anthony Hopkins, and John Malkovich, it was slated to be one of the biggest hitters of the year.
Despite the star-studded cast and the decent animation, Beowulf was criticized on several aspects of the story as well as the interpretation of the source material. Even so, if you want to watch as the film was meant to be watched, in full 3D, go right ahead!
Read More: Where to Watch Blood In Blood Out in 2023
The Croods (2013)
Now, when you say ‘animated movie’ and ‘Nicolas Cage’, I would say “That makes perfect sense!”. But it hadn’t been a particularly tried formula until the release of the Croods.
With subject matter that was somewhat new and a quirky, interesting animation style, The Croods, directed by Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco was a story about a prehistoric family of cave people trying to find a place in a world that’s constantly changing around them.
Adding to this was the overprotective father played perfectly by the versatile and talented Cage, and a much more evolved teenager played by the ever-enigmatic Ryan Reynolds. This one is a must-watch, and in 3D too!
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 (2013)
If the first surprise hit was anything to go by, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 was going to be an even more wild ride than it was promised to be.
The return of Bill Hader as the mad scientist that invented technology to make food gigantic was married perfectly with the fantastic character and environment design of the movie.
Additionally, the voice cast included the likes of Anna Faris, and Terry Crews, which was just fantastic casting that helped the comedic timing, quality, and pacing of the movie a lot.
More than just a goofy weekend flick, Cloudy 2 is also the blueprint for the perfect sequel to an animated movie; funnier, doesn’t take itself seriously, and has a great ending.
What’s more, you can watch hotdogs and spaghetti dropping from the air in stereoscopic 3D!
Spy Kids: All The Time In The World (2011)
The fact that the last movie in the Spy Kids franchise was released all the way back in 2011 makes me feel incredibly old. Regardless, this was an effort to have a last cash-in on an old top-seller and was the first movie to not feature or have any mention or involvement of Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino.
By the time this was released, lead actors Alexa PenaVega and Daryl Sabara were all grown up, and having the moniker ‘Spy Kids’ did not make a lot of sense, so in came the replacement team – Rowan Blanchard and Mason Cook as Rebecca and Cecil Wilson respectively.
While this film did try to put a much-needed spin on the formula of the franchise, it can be said that the spin didn’t work much with the audiences.
Written and directed by the great Robert Rodriguez, the film is still a worthwhile watch just for the effort he put in, and for the 3D experience.
Hugo (2011)
A stark contrast to Spy Kids 4, Hugo was a much better narrative effort, directed by the Martin Scorcese.
Hugo was based on “The Invention of Hugo Cabret”, a 2007 historical science-fiction book by Brian Selznick, and is an overall masterclass of filmmaking. With the well-written cast, great narrative, fantastic acting by the lead and supporting actors and a touching story, it was no wonder that it was very well received.
So much so, that the movie won five Academy Awards. That’s right, FIVE. The story won’t be spoiled here, go watch it in full 3D right now!
Thor: Legend Of The Magical Hammer (2011)
It makes a lot of sense that these movies were all released around the late 2000s and early 2010s. As we discussed earlier, we did see the peak of 3D technology around this time.
This effort, however, falls a little flat. Back in 2011, we were still getting to grips with the fact that Marvel was actually building a connected set of films around the first Iron Man movie, and that was when Thor: Legend Of The Magical Hammer was released.
If you just want to kill some time and are trying to watch something in full 3D, this movie promises to scratch that itch. But, if you are trying to look for a more involved effort that also does justice to the source material, I’m afraid you will have to look at the rest of this list.
So that’s it, these are the best 3D movies on Netflix you can watch in full. If we do find more, however, we will be sure to let you know. All you have to do is stay tuned!
Read more: 6 Awesome Ways To Watch Netflix Together.
