After years as a consumer-tech flop, 3D movies are getting a serious second look. The Verge's Sean Hollister argues that video glasses and VR headsets have finally solved the format's old compromises: rather than splitting one image between two eyes, devices like the Xreal One Pro, Apple Vision Pro, and Meta's upcoming VR glasses give each eye its own full-resolution view. The result, he writes, is a 3D experience that feels like a genuine upgrade instead of a dim, half-resolution novelty.
That experience is now becoming a business opportunity. Hollister reports that Apple Vision Pro launched in 2024 with 4K, HDR, spatial audio, free 3D upgrades for many films users already owned, and exclusive access to Disney Plus's large 3D catalog. Meta and Xreal are also courting Hollywood, and a demo of Billie Eilish's concert film shot by James Cameron impressed on Meta's VR glasses. The goal, he says, is to convince studios to stream their 3D collections rather than rely on discs.
Distribution is still the biggest obstacle. 3D Blu-ray is the last physical format to support 3D, but it remains stuck at 1080p, 24fps, without HDR, and 4K Blu-ray does not support 3D at all. Titles can be hard to find and expensive to import. Hollister also cautions that not all 3D content is equal: poorly converted movies can look like flat billboards. If streaming deals expand, the business could finally match the technology; if not, 3D will stay a niche for enthusiasts willing to hunt down discs.