10 of the Most Visually Stunning Movies of All Time

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Films today are often visually appealing thanks to the improved effects of CGI and being able to add digital effects easily, but few manage to pull it off so well that they leave you absolutely stunned from beginning to end. If there was ever a time to catch a movie in IMAX, any of the films on this list were the ones. 

This list isn’t an exhaustive list of every film but highlights the ones that most people think of when they hear that very phrase—visually stunning. If we missed one of your favorites, let us know in the comments below so that others can enjoy it as well. Without further delay, here are 10 of the most visually stunning movies of all time. 

Interstellar (2014)

Starting the list off with what some consider to be the best sci-fi movie of all time, or at least second to another entry further down this list, Interstellar is visually stunning from the start right up until the very end. Some people have some qualms with Nolan’s dialogue, but no one can deny that the visualization of the black hole, Gargantua, is just jaw-dropping. If you were lucky enough to catch this in IMAX, then you know exactly what we’re talking about. 

While the film does use heavy amounts of CGI, it is done so well that you barely notice it compared to other blockbusters these days. The visuals in Interstellar, paired with the score from Hans Zimmer, are just unforgettable. If you can’t sit down and watch the full movie, the docking scene is worth a rewatch from time to time alone. 

Oppenheimer (2023)

One of the biggest movies to come out in 2023, Oppenheimer is another visually stunning film from Christopher Nolan that puts Cillian Murphy in the role of the titular character and details the United State’s efforts to construct the world’s first atomic bomb. The entire 3-hour runtime is worth it for a multitude of reasons, but the climax of the film and watching the explosion from the first-ever A-bomb test is extremely powerful, both visually and emotionally. 

The film certainly puts into perspective the destruction and near-unimaginable power of the atomic bomb without glorifying its use. Besides the explosion of the bomb, the movie does a great job of bringing you back to the 1940s through its extensive, historically accurate set design. 

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

In an age where reboots of old franchises put fear in loyal fans, Mad Max: Fury Road managed to somehow actually pull it off and be a huge success. While the older Mad Max films are impressive, the size and scale of Fury Road can’t be beaten. The vast swaths of the wastes, the massive desert storm, and epic car battles are just about everything a Mad Max fan could want. This also marks one of the best Tom Hardy movies of his career, if not the best.

If you weren’t able to catch this in IMAX or theaters, keep your eyes peeled for Furiosa, a prequel of sorts to Fury Road. Furiosa follows a younger version of the titular character, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, as she is snatched from the Green Place by a biker gang led by Warlord Dementus (Tom Burke).

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Stanley Kubrick is no stranger to lists of the best films, so it makes sense that he earns a spot on our list of the most visually stunning films with his 1968 masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey. As we mentioned before, while some movie fans consider Interstellar to be the best sci-fi film of all time, others believe that Kubrick’s sci-fi journey is better.

If you haven’t seen 2001: A Space Odyssey yet, definitely give it a watch. The ending sequence alone is a trip in and of itself. Paired with the previous scenes as the crew floats through space, this one is still breathtaking over fifty years later—which can’t often be said when it comes to film. It will also give you a different view on technology thanks to HAL.

Dune (2021)

Timothee Chalamet is joined by a star-studded cast in this adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel of the same name. Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, and other big names star in this epic sci-fi film directed by Denis Villeneuve, who also worked on another entry later in this list.

Dune mainly takes place on Arrakis, a desert planet that is inhospitable to everyone save for the Fremin, a native people that call it home. The scenes showcasing the scale of Arrakis are impressive, but a scene that a lot of fans consider the most visually stunning is when the worm attacks the crawler. The score, again provided by the great Hans Zimmer, kicks in at just the right moments and immerses you in this visually appealing future of mankind. 

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That, paired with the scenes with the Baron (Skarsgård), the fight for Arrakis, and the Sardaukar, easily gives this film a spot on the list—and luckily for us, there’s a sequel coming out this year.

Tron: Legacy (2010)

This one is controversial for some, as the film itself has a few valid criticisms that can be made, but none of them can be about the cinematography or the soundtrack provided by the legendary Daft Punk. Yes, the character development and story are disappointing, but the virtual world created by Flynn (Jeff Bridges) is absolutely astounding.

The light cycle races, sea of simulation—really the entire virtual city, are all entertaining and visually appealing pieces of the film. It has since garnered a cult following, with a new Tron movie in the works titled Tron: Ares starring Jared Leto, Evan Peters, and Greta Lee. That said, you’re probably going to have to wait until 2025 to catch that, but keep your calendar clear because it’s likely to be just as visually stunning as Tron: Legacy.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

The other Denis Villeneuve entry on our list, Blade Runner 2049, is a sequel to the original Blade Runner and is every bit as good as the original—if not better. Thanks to the improvements in technology and editing, Blade Runner 2049 is truly able to showcase a future world where bioengineered humans are possible, and technology has surpassed anything we currently have. Also, Hans Zimmer did the music alongside Benjamin Wallfisch. 

Regardless you could watch this movie on mute and still be blown away by the design and cinematography. The city of Los Angeles has transformed into a megalopolis, and the world is partially in ruins, as seen in Las Vegas, where Deckard goes searching for the mystery behind the toy horse. All-in-all, it’s a great film, and if you’re itching for more Gosling after watching Barbie, give this one a shot.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

More often than not, practical effects are better than any sort of CGI or digital effects, and The Lord of the Rings is easily the best example of this. That’s not to say that it’s devoid of CGI entirely, but it doesn’t rely on it for the parts that count. Massive armies, huge landscapes, exciting characters, and some of the best war scenes in cinema history were all done with practical effects and real actors for the most part.

The director’s decision (Peter Jackson) to film entirely in New Zealand and use the natural beauty of it to add to his masterpiece was perhaps the best choice he could’ve made. There’s a reason this trilogy is still at the top of movie rating charts; it’s an amazing combination of story, soundtrack, character development, and visuals.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Wes Anderson has a style that you either love or hate, but no matter how you feel, you can’t deny that his movies are visual masterpieces. The Grand Budapest Hotel is just one entry in his filmography, but is often considered to be his best across the board; if not, then it’s certainly the most visually stunning.

This film centers around a concierge named Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) and Zero (Tony Revolori) a lobby boy. Set in the 1930s, the film is a wonderful depiction of that time period. Every frame could be a painting on a wall and no detail is an accident. Fans of Wes Anderson have undoubtedly seen this film, but if you’re not a fan or one of the few that hasn’t, definitely give it a watch soon.

Spirited Away (2001)

Moving away from live-action films and into animated films, Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki absolutely knock it out of the park with Spirited Away. The art is breathtaking and every scene has you entranced from start to finish. If you’re unfamiliar with Japanese culture or Shinto folklore, don’t be discouraged. It’s a film for children that adults can easily enjoy and find meaning.

The story begins with a young girl named Chihiro Ogino, whose family has moved to a new neighborhood. After unknowingly entering the world of kami, or spirits, her parents are turned into pigs and Chihiro finds herself working in a bathhouse of the very witch that turned them into pigs. Chihiro will have to find a way to escape the spirit world and free her parents. This film also features the iconic character No-Face that you may have seen in other media.