Earlier today I wrote about James Cameron mentoring Spider-Man director Marc Webb on shooting films in 3D, since the former has had a little success in that department. Aside from Spider-Man being shot in 3D, though, a whole host of films are scurrying to apply the 3D model in the wake of Avatar absolutely exploding at the box office.
In the immediate future, we'll see films like Clash of the Titans and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows being converted to 3D, while other blockbusters – like Spider-Man, Transformers 3 and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- entertain the idea of shooting in 3D from the start. I'm sure a lot of studios will be watching to see how well the 3D conversions do with audiences, because if those take off, expect a whole bunch more films to convert to 3D prior to hitting theaters later this year.
But while studios rush to figure out a way to make all their big, action-ish films in 3D, is there really that much of a demand for it? Sure, Avatar looked fantastic…but it was shot in 3D and took four years to make! My concern is that studios will try to figure out the cheapest and fastest way to generate 3D off the conveyor belt, and that it just won't look as good as Avatar. That nothing will ever look as good as Avatar because no one is insane enough to spend that much time putting in that much detail. Thus, we'll be left with cheap imitations that, eventually, will become cheap expensive imitations that are better off skipping for the less expensive 2D version.
Or maybe you like 3D no matter how it's packaged? Studios want you to believe that 3D is the future of entertainment, but is 3D really the future of your entertainment? Are you that blown away by the technology, or will you easily give up on it if the next set of 3D films don't even come close to the type of moviegoing experience Avatar provided?
Sound off in our special Fandango poll below, and definitely leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Erik is a leading movie commentator who has worked for outlets such as AOL Moviefone and Movies.com.
Celebrating 50 Years of JAWS!
Get the Beneath the Surface Bundle for a movie ticket to see JAWS return to the big screen, plus an exclusive limited-edition poster.
*Beneath the Surface Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice.You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. Poster will ship in August. Please use a physical U.S. address where the poster shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/beneath-the-surface-bundle
Buy a ticket to The Long Walk, get $10 off the King of Horror: 7 Stephen King Movies bundle on Fandango at Home.
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 12:00am ET on 8/27/25 and 11:59pm PT on 10/2/25 and purchase at least one movie ticket to The Long Walk. Purchaser will receive a post purchase email containing 1 Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for $10 off the purchase (and not the rental) of the “King of Horror: 7 Stephen King Movies” bundle in My Offers in your account on http://fandangoathome.com and via participating Fandango at Home apps. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Code expires on (and must be used by) 10/5/25 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only. You must have a Fandango at Home account to redeem your Code on Fandango at Home. Fandango at Home is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to open a Fandango at Home account. Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. Fandango at Home reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer is subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at Terms and Policies at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Commemorate one final night at Downton with The Grand Finale Bundle including a Movie Ticket and Limited-Edition Top Hat Popcorn Bucket keepsake.
*The Grand Finale Bundle is non-refundable. While supplies last; Limited time offer. This offer is redeemable for one Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Bundle (“Bundle”). Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Movie Ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Popcorn not included. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a Bundle. The popcorn bucket will begin shipping in the month of September. Please use a physical address where the item can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. Valid only in the U.S. and D.C., excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law. Not valid with any other offer. Limit one (1) Bundle per person. See full terms and conditions at https://redeem.fandango.com/products/the-grand-finale-bundle.
Buy a ticket to Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, get This is Spinal Tap for $5 on Fandango at Home!
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase, between 8:00am PT on 8/19/25 and 11:59pm PT on 9/15/25, at least one movie ticket to ‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues’. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing 1 Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the purchase (and not the rental) of 'This is Spinal Tap' for $5 in My Offers in your account on http://fandangoathome.com and via participating Fandango at Home apps. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Code expires on (and must be used by) 9/17/25 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You must have a Fandango at Home account to redeem your Code on Fandango at Home. Fandango at Home is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to open a Fandango at Home account. Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Buy a ticket to Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps, get 20% off The Fantastic Four: First Steps Main Theme 7” Vinyl
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 6:00am PT on 8/8/25 and 11:59pm PT on 9/5/25 and purchase at least one movie ticket to ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’. Purchaser will receive a post purchase email containing a link (“Link”) to the Disney Music Emporium website that is good for 20% off the purchase of the Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps Main Theme 7” Vinyl. Link expires, and can no longer be used, at 11:59pm PT on 9/5/25. Limit 2 purchases per Link. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive the link to the discount. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. This offer is subject to Fandango’s terms and policies at https://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies and the Link is subject to Disney’s terms and policies, at https://disneytermsofuse.com/