Since the introduction of film and theaters, our movies have only become increasingly more visually appealing. The latest trend of 2017 is virtual reality films, which literally place the viewer into the movie. If you thought 3-D or IMAX experiences were unparalleled, then you are in for an amazing treat. The following list contains the seven of the best, must-see virtual reality movies of 2017.
This intriguing movie is a Netflix original that was released in 2009. The movie is considered one of the best VR films because it’s producer, Gaspar Noe, intended to create a uniquely “hallucinogenic melo-show” with his project. It is completely filmed in the first-person perspective. Combining virtual reality and this perspective makes for a completely unique experience. The story details the life of a drug dealer living in Tokyo who is brutally betrayed and murdered in a drug deal gone bad. The dealer’s soul, however, continues to observe the story after his death.
11:57 is a completely unique 360 horror movie experience. It was created by the Sid Lee Collective in an attempt to put the viewer in the primary character role of in a guaranteed thriller. It was released in 2014, and it can be viewed using the Oculus Rift headset and any smart device or computer. You can download the movie online at http://1157.pm/. In reviewing the film, Vice exclaimed that the experience “hints at why Facebook paid $2 billion for the Oculus Rift.”
This incredible film is dedicated to bringing military realism to film. Ridley Scott was so dedicated to his fulfilling his vision that the performers underwent real-life Ranger and Special Forces training to fulfill their on-screen roles. The movie depicts a military mission to capture Mohamed Farrah Aidid in Mogadishu gone wrong. The film shows two Black Hawk helicopters crashing and follows the story of a squad of Rangers behind enemy lines. The original film was released in 2001, and the virtual reality version can be found on Netflix.
Fantasia was originally released by Disney in 1941, yet the film was so iconic and brilliantly created that it was later remade in 2000 with newer visually delighting scenes. Disney original created the masterpiece film as a running show that could periodically be added onto. When the plans didn’t work out, they decided to remaster and add onto the original film in 2000 by utilizing the newest technical innovations to create both a visual and audibly pleasant experience. These epic hand-drawn scenes, like “Pines of Rome” depicting a pod of humpback whales, are made even more stunning with the addition of virtual reality. Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 can be seen in VR on Netflix.
Zootopia was released in 2016. Amazingly, this kid-friendly animal movie is the fifth highest grossing animated film of all time. Disney created this cute movie about the animal city of Zootopia and its police force. The story follows the cute police officer Judy Hopps and fox con artists Nick Wilde and Finnick. It can now be viewed in virtual reality on Netflix.
Jungle Book, a remake of the popular 1967 animated film, was released by Disney in 2016. The live-action and CGI movie tells the story of Mowgli who is raised in the jungle by a family of wolves. When the antagonist tiger Shere Khan wants to eliminate the boy from his jungle home, Mowgli goes on an adventure meeting various types of creatures to find his true purpose. The purpose of this film was to recreate a Disney classic while balancing animation and live-action. This VR movie can be viewed in select IMAX AMC locations across the U.S. or on Netflix.
Trainspotting was originally released in 1996 but has now been re-released for its twentieth anniversary in VR on Netflix. This film, which was ranked 10th in the British Film Institute’s Top 100 British films of all time, follows the stories of Edinburgh heroin junkies. The realistic portrayal of the highs, lows, trips and withdrawal symptoms make this movie a must-see. The protagonist’s dysfunctional attempts to stay sober gives a whole new perspective to addiction. Director Danny Boyle wanted this to be one of the most energetic films “about something that ultimately ends up in purgatory or worse.”
