Bigscreen has released the latest lineup of big-name movies premiering this month in its recently released ‘VR Cinema’ feature.

A virtual reality movie theater always has felt like an obvious shoe-in for VR, a sentiment illustrated by some of our earliest articles covering VR cinema pioneers and the apps they chose to build. Since then of course, VR headset owners have been given numerous ways to enjoy films alone or with others, but for the most part those movies were self-provided, with the VR headset merely acting as an immersive viewing vessel for you (and your friends).

Image courtesy: Bigscreen

Bigscreen announced in December that they were looking to help evolve the movie VR experience by licensing studio films and giving Bigscreen users the opportunity to buy and watch them together in virtual theatres (either in private or in public virtual form). Ticket prices range between $4–$5 and can be purchased from Bigscreen‘s website directly.

The company has announced which movies will be available this month:

Image courtesy Bigscreen

January 10th to 16th

  • 3D
    • Star Trek Beyond (2016)
    • Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
    • Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
  • 2D
    • Interstellar (2014)

January 17th to 24th

  • 3D
    • Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)
    • Ghost in the Shell (2017)
    • Terminator Genisys (2015)
    • Top Gun (1986)

Think of the service like renting a movie from Amazon, but you watch virtually in a public theater in the style of the movie.

One of the biggest technical and experiential benefits of viewing 3D movies in VR though is the ‘perfect’ stereoscopy as each eye has a discrete view of its intended frame with no ‘cross-talk’ or dimming as is common with most passive 3D experiences in traditional cinemas.  Granted, we’ve not yet tested the 3D quality available via the streaming service, so just how good the image is remains to be seen.

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Image courtesy Bigscreen

Up until now, Bigscreen software itself—which lets you join rooms with friends and share your own media or watch free media channels in public rooms with others—has been entirely free. The paid films are offered in partnership with Paramount; Bigscreen is putting special emphasis on its 3D films, as streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video typically only serve up 2D versions, even to those who have 3DTVs.

Bigscreen says its working on additional ‘VR Cinema’ content, including private movie rentals to watch with friends, more movies, a drive-in movie theater environment, and themed movie events like ‘horror week’.

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Based in the UK, Paul has been immersed in interactive entertainment for the best part of 27 years and has followed advances in gaming with a passionate fervour. His obsession with graphical fidelity over the years has had him branded a ‘graphics whore’ (which he views as the highest compliment) more than once and he holds a particular candle for the dream of the ultimate immersive gaming experience. Having followed and been disappointed by the original VR explosion of the 90s, he then founded RiftVR.com to follow the new and exciting prospect of the rebirth of VR in products like the Oculus Rift. Paul joined forces with Ben to help build the new Road to VR in preparation for what he sees as VR’s coming of age over the next few years.
  • Keith.

    Fandango has a nice 3D movie selection, but no theater-sized screen.

    • James Krisvoy

      Good to know.

  • Bob

    Bigscreen is a fantastic idea that’s being held back primarily by the form factor and field of view of all current generation headsets.

    For an application such as this form factor, fit and comfort plays a major role in the ease of accessibility into these virtual theaters; all current headsets are simply not compact enough to ease the user as quickly and comfortable as possible into the theater experience.

    And then there’s the field of view which is incredibly important to the virtual theater experience but unfortunately due to technological limitations doesn’t go hand in hand with a small form factor. Once these issues have all been tackled in the coming years, this application will rapidly gain in popularity.

    Watching movies on a virtual theater right now is a very enticing idea but the actual experience of it leaves much to be desired.

    • Lulu Vi Britannia

      The screen fits in current headsets FOV. It is not an issue at all…

      As for comfort, you obviously don’t have a Rift or a Vive Pro. Those two are extremely comfortable. And for many people, it is much easier to put on a mask than go to the cinema. I’m one of those. It takes me 45 min with a car to go to the closest theatre. It’s an incredible waste of time and money, so I never go.

      VR Cinema isn’t held back by the FOV, but by the resolution. Although it’s already great to watch movies, it still has that grid that will repel many people.

    • NooYawker

      I have the original Vive and the FOV is fine and I can easily watch an entire movie. And the original Vive is probably the least comfortable headset right now.

  • impurekind

    If they ever do plan on charging for this app in general then I really hope I can set an option to stop any future updates so I can continue to use the more “basic” version for free. I don’t really need all the extra crap to be honest, and personally I’ve just found the app to get more bloated with each update.

  • Ace of Spades

    I rather download free BluRay rip, why pay?!

    • Andrew Jakobs

      But that’s not actually really free, it’s an illegal copy.. Unless you think stealing a car is also driving around in a free car..

      • Ace of Spades
        • Andrew Jakobs

          It’s still theft of income…

          • Ace of Spades

            Thats corporate logic, people that download movies would not buy them anyway, there is zero loss. Media tried this type of attitude in the 90s and 00s, it didn’t end well for them.

            In any case, no matter how its called, I really dont care, dont try to look like your holier-than-thou, its the Internet, no one cares.

          • NooYawker

            If you want to pirate that’s fine, lot’s of people do it. But don’t bullshit like it’s totally legit, It’s illegal.

            Like all the people who said they pirate GoT because they don’t like cable and would pay for just HBO. When HBO released it’s app people complained $10 is too much. Pirate all you want but just admit you’re being a cheap fuck.

          • Ace of Spades

            More then I hate regressive liberals and woke SJW trash i hate moralizing losers, if I can take something I will, whatever it might be.

          • NooYawker

            Wow. Ok. Torrenting is political to this one. Another idiot to block.

          • Your Retarded Fag Ass

            Made you look.

        • Lulu Vi Britannia

          Just wanted to say: TRUTH SPOKEN!
          So many people were brainwashed by all these ads claiming that piracy is theft. It’s not, and your funny drawing is a perfect representation of that.

          Piracy is still illegal though, lol.

          • Nelia

            After 5 yrs I made a decision to discontinue my previous work and it totally changed my everyday life… I started working on a job by going online, for a company I found on the internet, for several hours everyday, and I acquire way more than I did on my previous occupation… Previous pay-check I acquired was $9000… Awesome point regarding this is the fact I have additional time for my family and friends. Look it over, what it’s all about… cut.sx/auP/

  • Andrew Jakobs

    Love 3D movies, but I’d rather watch them on my big screen projection screen.. I wouldn’t mind if the streamingservices also served 3D fullHD movies, wouldn’t mind if they are H-SBS/H-OU (if they still have a decent bitrate that is).

  • johngrimoldy

    This is going to explode when they add live sporting events — particularly with the ability to change locations within the venue and 3D. Add the ability to do replays and player stats.

  • paleion

    So is my VR Netlix and Amazon Prime… and a thousand more…