10 Movies That Got Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Right

echo3D
echo3D
Published in
5 min readMar 3, 2023

Have you ever wondered how augmented reality and virtual reality can be used in the present and the future? Well, look no further, because the film industry is reimagining immersive experiences as we speak. With advancements in 3D asset management like echo3D for 3D asset cloud storage, production companies have more tools to integrate this technology seamlessly. Here are some of echo3D’s top picks for must-watch movies that feature 3D/AR/VR.

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1. Inception | 2010 | Action/Adventure/Sci-fi | 2h 28m

While the technology used by the characters aren’t the normal AR/VR headsets that we’re used to seeing, the heist crew in “Inception”, led by Leonardo DiCaprio, are able to enter and interact in artificial dream worlds constructed by their “Architect”. Sounds just like a metaverse constructed by developers!

Credit: Wikia

2. Kingsman: The Secret Service | 2014 | Action/Adventure/Comedy | 2h 9m

From knives hidden in shoes to grenades disguised as cigarette lighters, “Kingsman: The Secret Service” is full of high-tech spy weapons. Some weapons are even equipped with AR capabilities. Throughout the movie, we see Eggy utilize smart glasses to holographically teleconference, defend himself using the ballistic shield in the Kingsman Umbrella, and more!

Credit: Wikia

3. Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens | 2015 | Action/Adventure/Sci-fi | 2h 18m

Did you know that some of the earliest appearances of AR were in the very first Star Wars movies? These appearances ranged from holographic projections, space chess, and virtual maps of different galaxies. This trend has continued throughout the years and is still prevalent in the most recent movie “Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens”. Looks like AR/VR technology is here to stay!

Credit: CDN
Credit: Medium

4. Blade Runner 2049 | 2017 | Action/Drama/Mystery | 2h 44m

Following the 1982 classic, “Blade Runner 2049” introduces a new character Joi. Joi, portrayed by Ana de Armas, is a fully customizable holographic projection who is owned by Blade Runner K. Her hardware translates environment data for the AI in order to experience life with her user, serving as a digital companion.

Credit: Den of Geek

5. Ready Player One | 2018 | Action/Adventure/Sci-fi | 2h 20m

One of the greatest potential applications for AR/VR technology is in gaming and “Ready Player One” brings this to life. The OASIS, a VR world created by James Halliday, allows players to do and be anything they could ever imagine. Players suit up in full-body gear, run on 360 treadmills, and throw their entire life’s fortune into this video game all for the chance to escape their actual reality.

Credit: Variety

6. Free Guy | 2021 | Action/Adventure/Comedy | 1h 55m

Yet another example of AR/VR in gaming is “Free Guy”, where players use headsets and smart glasses to enter into the gaming world. However, in this movie the main character Guy, a bank teller played by Ryan Reynolds, becomes self-aware. Guy then goes on a journey to change his story from background player to hero.

Credit: IMDB

7. Spider-Man: No Way Home | 2021 | Action/Adventure/Fantasy | 2h 28m

With “Spider-Man: Far From Home” utilizing AR with Peter’s smart glasses, holograms of suits and weapon designs, and more, it’s no surprise that “Spider-Man: No Way Home” takes advantage of this immersive technology as well. The latest movie in the series, showcases AR in visualizations of human anatomy/modeling and even has an app that offers fans exclusive AR content.

Credit: Post Magazine

8. Everything Everywhere All at Once | 2022 | Action/Adventure/Comedy | 2h 19m

The critically acclaimed film “Everything Everywhere All At Once” provides a zany spin on augmented and virtual reality. The movie follows Evelyn Wang and her attempts to save her relationship with her husband and daughter, while also ensuring that the fabric of existence doesn’t unravel. Each multiverse she visits is unique, silly, and full of surprises!

Credit: Insider
Credit: Jeremy C Processing

9. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | 2022 | Action/Adventure/Drama | 2h 41m

While the majority of technology in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, such as hovering cars and vibranium, may seem far into the future, the release of this movie sparked a greater use for webAR experiences. Target released a collaboration with Marvel Studios and created two immersive AR experiences, where consumers can scan QR codes around the store to view “Wakandan-inspired” technology.

Credit: Tech Crunch
Credit: Cloud Front

10. Avatar: The Way of Water | 2022 | Action/Adventure/Fantasy | 3h 12m

Finishing off our list is “Avatar: The Way of Water”. This movie was so amazing that we had to give it its own article. Check out the echo3D team’s full review here!

Credit: Squarespace

To learn more about 3D asset management and how to host 3D projects on the cloud, register for your free echo3D account.

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echo3D (www.echo3D.com; Techstars 19’) is a 3D asset management platform that enables developers to manage, update, and stream 3D content to real-time 3D/AR/VR apps and games.

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