Are 3D Movies a fad or will they be the future in 2012 and beyond?

Well, this didn't age well now did it?

A little bit of background nonsense

Back when I first wrote this (yes, way back in 2012 when the world still thought 3D was going to change cinema forever), I felt the need to confess my extensive experience with 3D technology. Which was:

Watching a couple of movies in the ’80s with those cardboard red-and-green glasses that made everything look like a migraine in progress.
Staring at a massive 50” 3D TV in an electronics shop for all of five minutes before realising my eyes were not designed for such punishment.

That was it. Hardly the résumé of a seasoned tech reviewer. Still, in the spirit of honesty, I admitted even then that maybe I should try a full movie before dismissing the “future of cinema.” Spoiler: I didn’t.

Note: I have extensively rewritten this blog post to bring it up to date but look back fondly at one of my earliest Blog writing attempts. I hope you get a kick out of it as much as I did rereading it.

Why I was so grumpy about it

I’ve never been one to embrace new gimmicks. First-generation tech is almost always flawed — remember early mobile phones the size of bricks? Plasma TVs that buzzed like beehives? Or Blu-ray players that made you buy the same movie again after already upgrading from VHS to DVD?

By 2012 I had finally started leaving DVDs behind and moving to Blu-ray — and I was actually happy with it. But then along came the 3D push, arriving just as Blu-ray had settled on the throne of HD. It felt like the movie industry was standing at my door shouting: “Hey, nice Blu-rays you’ve got there. Want to buy them again, but slightly blurrier and with glasses this time?”

My “qualifications” to complain

I’ve been collecting movies since VHS days, which I believe gives me the sacred right to moan about these things. Every generation has meant buying Star Wars (and a few other favourites) all over again: VHS, DVD, Blu-ray. Logical enough — better picture, better sound.

But 3D? What’s the selling point? That I get to sit at home with funny glasses on, hoping not to spill tea in my lap when an explosion “flies” at me? Sorry, no thanks.

When I wrote this, Star Wars was about to launch in 3D. I had just bought the Blu-ray box set and knew another upgrade was coming. Did I care? Not really. Would I watch it once for curiosity’s sake? Probably. Would I sit at home in 3D full-time? Not a chance.

Public opinion (back then)

I wasn’t alone. A UK YouGov poll in September 2011 found:
● 41% called 3D a gimmick.
● 19% said it actually improved a film.
● The rest shrugged and said it made no difference.

And here’s the kicker: even if 3D tickets were the same price as 2D, a third of cinema-goers still said “nah, we’ll stick to normal.” That’s like offering free sprinkles on an ice cream and people saying, “I’d rather not.”

What do you think?

So here I am, looking back from 2025. Did 3D movies change the world? Nope. Did they even change our living rooms? Definitely not.

The writing was already on the wall: 3D was a fad, a stepping stone on the way to the next “future of cinema” gimmick. Maybe holographic TV? Don’t laugh — I actually wrote that line in 2012 and, who knows, it might still happen.

In the end, 3D was the movie industry’s cash cow for a few years, but the audience never really bought in. We wanted better stories, not headaches and plastic glasses.

So what do you think — did 3D die the death it deserved, or do you secretly miss it?

Thanks for Reading,

David

About the Author

I’m David Condon, a movie enthusiast from Tralee, Co. Kerry. I’ve been collecting DVDs and Blu-rays for years, and along the way my shelves have become a mix of favourites, hidden gems, and titles I occasionally decide to resell.

I’m not a professional critic — just someone who enjoys good films, well-made discs, and the odd rant about the quirks of collecting. This blog is where I share my thoughts, reviews, and experiences as a fan.

💬 Note from the Author
This blog is a hobby project where I write about DVDs, Blu-rays, and the ups and downs of being a collector. If you enjoyed this post, you might also like my other writing:

David Condon Finds – my lifestyle and review blog
David Condon Woodcraft – my main website focused on woodturning and handmade pieces

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