Below is the list of the best VR movies and can be considered as the top virtual reality films of all time and always used as the reference when talking about virtual reality. Please take note that the list below is not based on any specific ranking or rate. Each of this movie or film has their own strength and weakness. One common thing is that, they really bring or rejuvenate the public interest towards virtual reality. And the list are (drumrolls, please)…
Table of Contents
The Best VR Movies…
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1. The Matrix
Directed By: The Wachowskis
Release Year: 1999
Synopsis: The story takes place in the future where humanity is unknowingly trapped inside a simulated reality which is created by intelligent machines to distract humans while using their bodies as an energy source.
Opinion: There are four movies in the Matrix series which are “The Matrix“, “The Matrix Reloaded“, “The Matrix Revolutions” and “The Matrix Resurrections“. But, the first film in the Matrix trilogy or franchise is the one that really brings the whole world interest back in virtual reality. Until know people keep benchmarking the VR or XR technology with this film due to it concept of ultimate immersiveness until you don’t realize it.
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2. Ready Player One
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
Release Year: 2018
Synopsis: In 2045, most of the people are using the virtual reality software called OASIS (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation) to escape the desolation of the real world.
Opinion: This looks like a more realistic version of VR that we have nowadays where we need to use the headset, glove and haptic suit. It also got some morals and lesson learnt from it. For us, Ready Player One is a good VR film for educational purpose.
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3. The Thirteenth Floor
Directed By: Josef Rusnak
Release Year: 1999
Synopsis: In year 1999 at Los Angeles, Hannon Fuller owns a multibillion-dollar computer enterprise and he is also the inventor of a newly completed virtual reality (VR) simulation of 1937 Los Angeles, filled with simulated humans unaware they are computer programs.
Opinion: This movie brings the concept of multi-tier virtual world. A good detective movie on using VR as a tool to solve the case.
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4. The Lawnmower Man
Directed By: Brett Leonard
Release Year: 1992
Synopsis: This film is about the scientist who decides to perform an experiment using psychoactive drugs and virtual reality on a simple-minded gardener.
Opinion: This is a legendary movie of VR. Before The Matrix, it is the most talked film when it comes to VR.
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5. Virtuosity
Directed By: Brett Leonard
Release Year: 1995
Synopsis: An ex-cop must use his intelligence to capture a deadly serial killer, SID 6.7, a virtual reality simulation. This virtual reality simulation is created using the personalities of multiple serial killers and unfortunately he manages to escape into the real world.
Opinion: This movie introduce the concept of integration between the virtual world and the real world. Might be happen in the far, far future.
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6. TRON
Directed By: Steven Lisberger
Release Year: 1982
Synopsis: It is about a computer programmer who is transported inside the software world of a mainframe computer where he interacts with programs in his attempt to escape.
Opinion: This is a classic movie that introduce the concept of a real human being sucked and trapped in the virtual and digital world. The minimalist design and polygons with light make it a memorable movie of all time.
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7. Arcade
Directed By: Albert Pyun
Release Year: 1993
Synopsis: It is about teenagers who will disappear when they play Arcade, a virtual-reality game with seven deadly levels.
Opinion: This is a straight forward VR movie where the player is using the VR headset.
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8. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Directed By: Jake Kasdan
Release Year: 2017
Synopsis: It is about a group of teenagers who come across a video game and then suddenly find themselves trapped in that game as a set of avatars, seeking to complete a quest alongside another player trapped in the game since 1996.
Opinion: Although the movie does not directly relate itself to VR, but it is the way the character transported inside the player avatar and interact with the game world that make it part of this list.
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9. Black Mirror: Striking Vipers
Directed By: Owen Harris
Release Year: 2019
Synopsis: This film is about two old time friends, Danny and Karl, who are hardcore gamers since their college day. One day, when they are already adult, they reconnect in the virtual reality version of their fighting game called “Striking Vipers”. Problem start arise when Danny choose the male character named Lance, while Karl play as the female character named Roxette.
Opinion: This is a must watch mini movie by the VR enthusiast. It explores the conflict of feeling if you play around with the gender between the real world and the virtual world.
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10. Black Mirror: San Junipero
Directed By: Owen Harris
Release Year: 2016
Synopsis: This film is about two girls who met each other in the simulated world. One named Yorkie, who is very shy and introvert and the other is Kelly. Kelly is a very outgoing and party girl person. The setting took place in a simulated 1987 and progressively moving towards until 2002.
Opinion: This is also a must watch mini movie by the VR fan. It explores the after death event in the simulated environment. The nice things about this movie is about all the retro songs such as “Heaven Is a Place on Earth“.
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11. Don’t Worry Darling
Directed By: Olivia Wilde
Release Year: 2022
Synopsis: This film is about a married couple who is living in the 1950s Victory, California. Every day, the men leave for work at an office which is located in the surrounding desert. What is mysterious is that, their wives are prohibited from entering and discouraged from asking about their husband’s job.
Opinion: At first we thought this is a standard, boring romantic film. It never occurs to us that it is a sci-fi movie that touch the virtual reality and simulation topics.
What’s Next?
If you plan to watch these great VR movies, perhaps it is the time you might want to invest in the great home entertainment system, so that you will be fully satisfied with the experience watching it and hope that it will be a memorable films for you. You may check out the tips to set up one here.
These are the list of the best VR movies that we have managed to compile so far. And we will update it from time to time. If there are any more that we miss, you are welcome to share it in the “Comment” section below.
Image above is by sampane from Pixabay
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