Top 10 Movies that Need a 3D Remaster

“Independence Day: Resurgence” didn’t exactly pack theaters, but we’d pay top dollar to see the original blockbuster on the big screen again, especially with a 3D bonus. The 3D effects would feel right at home during the film’s aerial sequences, lifting viewers up into the sky to battle the aliens alongside Will Smith. It’d be like the ultimate flight simulator ride. Of course the real draw here would be the enormous explosions. Audiences were blown away back in 1996 when the White House went boom. Just imagine that striking scene in the third dimension with fire and debris blasting out at us. We’ll take that over a fireworks show any day.

“WALL-E” hit the scene in 2008, just missing the 3D craze “Avatar” brought about the following year. Since then, Disney and Pixar have remastered some of their most beloved classics in 3D, including “Finding Nemo” and “Monsters, Inc.” It’s high time “WALL-E” also returned to theaters with a 3D twist. Largely relying on visuals to get its story across, this animated feature creates a vivid future the audience can lose themselves in. 3D has the ability to take this immersive experience one step beyond. Dancing with WALL-E and EVE in the vast recesses of space would be totally out of this world.

Hard R-rated action flicks are finally making a comeback with “Deadpool” and “John Wick.” So why not re-release the 1988 masterpiece that set the gold standard for this genre? Of course if the studio wants something extra to fill seats, a 3D conversion is the way to go. Primarily taking place in the Nakatomi Plaza during a hostage crisis, “Die Hard” already has an unyielding sense of dread throughout. 3D can take the thrills up to eleven, as John McClane dodges certain death around every corner. The rooftop scene in particular is just begging for a 3D makeover, complete explosions, gunfire, and an epic leap of faith bound to leave audiences saying, “Yippie-ki-yay.”

Considering director Robert Zemeckis has since brilliantly used the technology in “The Polar Express” and “The Walk,” it’s actually surprising that this timeless trilogy hasn’t gotten a 3D reissue yet. 3D would allow the audience to get inside the DeLorean, making Marty’s race against the clock all the more exciting. It’d almost be like revisiting the retired “Back to the Future” ride at Universal Studios. Plus, these movies are just as relevant today, what with the Cubs winning the World Series, hoverboards sort-of becoming a reality, and Biff sharing an undeniable resemblance to President Trump. Admittedly, we’re still waiting for “Jaws 19”, but just imagine that hologram shark in 3D!

When people think of futuristic cities, Ridley Scott’s vision of 2019 Los Angeles usually comes to mind. The production designers behind “Blade Runner” truly created one of the most eye-popping settings in cinematic history, impeccably blending elements of film noir and science fiction. Since 3D is all about teleporting audiences into fantastic worlds, this classic seems like an ideal match. Watching the film in 2D, the audience already feels like they’re part of this deeply engaging environment. A pair of 3D glasses would make the experience even livelier, sucking us right into the screen. It’d be especially fitting given the admiration Scott developed for 3D while shooting “Prometheus,” which brings us to our next entry.

When horror movies utilize 3D effects, the results are often gimmicky to say the least. With the right setting, pacing, and atmosphere, though, it can be done. With that in mind, “Alien: 3D” certainly has a nice ring to it. Although it technically takes place on a starship in outer space, many have pointed out that “Alien” functions as one of the most chilling haunted house movies ever made. Its claustrophobic environment and bloodthirsty antagonist are guaranteed to send a shiver up anyone’s spine. By taking the suspense to the third dimension, audiences will feel like something is literally crawling up their sines. In the theater, everyone can hear you scream.

Peter Jackson already brought “The Hobbit” films to the third dimension. So it only makes sense to give “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy a 3D update as well. But which film would look the most impressive in this format? While certainly a tough call, “The Two Towers” stands out above all the rest thanks to the breathtaking Battle of Helm's Deep. This extravagant, large-scale action sequence has countless ingredients that were born for 3D: arrows shooting into the night sky, ladders rising up against a massive fortress, giant armies charging at one another. Gandalf’s last minute rescue would most notably benefit from this conversion, likely eliciting in thunderous applause from the audiences.

An effective 3D movie blurs the line between what’s real and what’s an illusion. Seeing how “The Matrix” is all about questioning one’s existence, 3D could make it even more mind-blowing. Whether the characters are jumping across rooftops or flying through the air, the audience would be in store for one exhilarating journey. The bullet-time sequences in particular seem tailor-made for this format, slowing down the action so we can really appreciate every second of 3D glory. If Morpheus were to reach his hands out of the screen and offer us two pills, there’s zero doubt that we would take the red one for a trip down the cinematic rabbit hole unlike any other.

Stanley Kubrick’s tour de force remains one of the best examples of visual storytelling in film, sometimes going minutes on end without any dialog. “2001” takes us on a transcendent voyage from the dawn of man to the next step in humankind’s evolution. With so much unforgettable imagery on display, it’d be a shame if this film never made the leap to 3D. If “Gravity” and “The Martian” proved anything, it’s that 3D can add a whole other layer of realism to movies set in outer space. Since “2001” is arguably the definitive film about space exploration, it’s hard to imagine a 3D remastering going wrong.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
“Sunshine” (2007)
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988)
“Looper” (2012)

If you saw “Doctor Strange” in the theaters, there’s a good possibility the film’s mind-bending special effects reminded you of “Inception.” Since the 3D effects were so spectacular in the aforementioned Marvel movie, we believe the technology would work wonders for this particular Christopher Nolan film. Taking us inside a dream world, this ambitious blockbuster delivered one extraordinary sequence after another. From the hallway fight to the runaway train, not a second goes by that wouldn’t look incredible in 3D. Nolan actually tried converting “Inception” to 3D, but didn’t have time to perfect it. While Nolan isn’t the biggest 3D fan, seeing it in this format would be a dream come true for fans.