There are a lot of movie choices for the perfect surround sound experience. Whether it’s the crack of gunfire or the rumble of a spaceship, surround sound brings the action to life and allows viewers to feel as if they are part of the story.
I always wonder which movies use surround sound best. Here are my top 20 picks.
Contents
- 1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
- 2. Resident Evil: Apocalypse
- 3. Suicide Squad
- 4. Spiderman: Into The Spider-Verse
- 5. American Sniper
- 6. Bohemian Rhapsody
- 7. Real Steel
- 8. The Dark Knight
- 9. Birdbox
- 10. Avengers: Endgame
- 11. Gravity
- 12. Mad Max: Fury Road
- 14. Interstellar
- 15. Inception
- 16. Shazam!
- 17. Avatar
- 18. Avengers: Infinity War
- 19. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
- 20. Adrift
1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was one of the first films to feature Dolby Atmos. This cutting-edge sound system offers an immersive audio experience. The film’s Oscar-nominated sound design stands out in Atmos.
2. Resident Evil: Apocalypse
The movie’s pulsing score and explosive action sequences, enhanced by powerful surround sound, create an immersive viewing experience. Want to elevate your home theater? This movie is a great choice.
3. Suicide Squad
From the opening scene, where the camera pans around a chaotic cityscape, to the heart-pounding finale, Suicide Squad fully utilizes its sound capabilities. Every explosion, gunshot, and other effects sound incredible.
4. Spiderman: Into The Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse excels with its sound effects and soundtrack. From thrilling action scenes to reflective moments, the sound design stands out as some of the best I’ve heard in a film.
5. American Sniper
The story follows the life of Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL and one of the most lethal snipers in American history. One of the captivating features of the film is its use of sound to heighten tension and create suspense. Watching it with surround sound speakers amplifies your movie experience.
6. Bohemian Rhapsody
The 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody tells the story of the British rock band Queen and its lead singer Freddie Mercury. It covers their rise to fame and Mercury’s personal struggles. The film was a massive box office success and earned critical acclaim for its performances, direction, and music.
7. Real Steel
The film is set in a future where intelligent robots dominate boxing. Critics gave it positive reviews, commending its visual and sound effects, as well as its nostalgic take on boxing.
8. The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight ranks among the most popular movies ever. The thrilling story, top-notch acting, and groundbreaking special effects make it outstanding.
Watching this movie at home or in a theater is an unforgettable experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack perfectly matches the tone and builds suspense and intensity in each moment.
9. Birdbox
The movie Birdbox captivated many viewers in 2018. The film’s suspense largely hinged on its brilliant sound design.
Throughout the film, moments of complete silence are punctuated by loud, disturbing noises. The filmmakers created a truly harrowing experience for viewers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvXKsdJpi6M10. Avengers: Endgame
From the clang of Captain America’s shield hitting Thanos’ armor to the boom of Hulk’s gamma punches, the sound design of this film is impressive. This 3-hour movie features action-packed scenes and clear audio, providing a great viewing and listening experience.
11. Gravity
The film received praise for its realistic depiction of space travel. The 3D effects created an immersive experience for viewers. One of the most memorable scenes features astronauts floating weightlessly during a spacewalk.
The depth of silence in the film really makes you feel out of breath. It truly benefits from being seen in surround sound.
12. Mad Max: Fury Road
If you’re a fan of action movies, you’ll want to experience Mad Max: Fury Road in surround sound. The movie is packed with non-stop action, letting you hear every explosion, gunshot, and car chase in crystal-clear detail. You’ll feel like you’re right in the middle of it, and won’t want to miss a single minute. A chaotic yet satisfying movie experience.
14. Interstellar
Interstellar is a science fiction movie set in the future. Astronauts embark on a mission to find a new home for humanity as Earth becomes uninhabitable. The film features stunning effects, especially the sound design.
You truly feel like you’re in space while watching this movie. The depth and detail of the vast void, along with the roaring tidal wave, are both impressive and highly detailed.
15. Inception
This movie is renowned for its innovative and mind-bending plot. The film’s sound design also plays a key role in creating its dreamlike atmosphere.
From the disorienting whoosh of the spinning top to the eerie thrumming of the train wheels, the sound effects in Inception convey themes of reality, dreaming, and memory. This 2.5-hour experience will certainly benefit from surround sound.
16. Shazam!
This superhero film, based on the DC Comics character, boasts iconic sound effects. Shazam! wows audiences when Billy Batson says “Shazam!” and magical energy erupts. The sound design, from thunderous blasts to whooshing flights, offers a powerful, enjoyable movie experience.
17. Avatar
The Avatar movie, released in 2009, dominated the box office. The sound designers crafted a believable and immersive world.
One of the most memorable sound effects is the Banshee scream. Avatar’s sound effects make the movie truly unique.
18. Avengers: Infinity War
From the first moments of “Avengers: Infinity War“, the soundtrack and effects set the film’s tone and mood. As the story progresses, the music grows more action-packed and intense, matching the plot’s pace.
Throughout the film, well-placed sound effects punctuate the action and heighten the suspense. This gives you a movie experience like no other.
19. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
For movie lovers, there’s nothing like watching a film like Star Wars with surround sound. Every explosion, footstep, and word of dialog comes alive, immersing you in the film. Enjoy the movie as it was meant to be experienced: with all the sounds and excitement of a big-budget Hollywood production.
20. Adrift
This movie is a gripping survival story based on true events. A young couple’s sailing trip goes disastrously wrong, leaving them stranded in the ocean without hope of rescue.
The film uses ambient sound to create a sense of isolation and claustrophobia. The couple’s amplified breaths and heartbeats, along with the constant creaking of the boat’s hull, contribute to a remarkable movie experience.
