Why are there no 3D movies on OTT?

When travelling - pre pandemic, one of the more relaxing experiences was sitting back, watching Netflix premieres on my own portable Imax - The Oculus Quest.

I remember seeing the Netflix original, Bright, as well as numerous standup comedy shows as though sitting in a private cinema. The effect is hard to describe; the nearest is a home theater projector setup.

No 3D movies on Netflix VR app?

This brings up the question: Why aren't the OTT apps offering stereoscopic 3D versions of films when available, that are perfect for such immersive viewing platforms? Granted, no one talks about 3DTVs anymore, but finally there's a way to experience the story the way a film director intended - when they paid multimillion dollar fees to convert their blockbuster movie - in 3D.

With newer Immersive eye-wear such as the HTC Vive Flow due out this month, OTT platforms are missing out. Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, HBO... to independent platforms such as StarZ Play (Middle East) and the many in South Asia; SonyLiv, Eros Now... let this not be a missed opportunity.

Enter... YouTube Immersive

YouTube, as an OTT player and platform has been leagues ahead of others. From true Immersive audio (ambisonic) to the myriad formats it supports.

Before the pandemic hit, I'd shot an episode for one of India's well know Studio and OTT platform; Alt Balaji. The episode, RaginiMMS VR can be seen on YouTube with full immersion (3D 360 and head tracked audio) on the Oculus Quest, and will certainly be compatible with the HTC FLOW eyewear.

The website Shot on What shows a list of over 200 titles of Hollywood / Bollywood that are either natively shot or converted 3D movies.

This is a missed opportunity that Product Heads of OTT platforms should consider rectifying, asap.

Meta (formerly Facebook), Apple, and other players are in full dive, creating the Metaverse - an immersive platform that will eventually be more - it will be a way of life, for GenZ.

As I'm working on an upcoming project for an OTT platform - their main ask was "How can we expand the IP into the Metaverse?" - To me it was: Start by immersing the audience from the very first step they take into the cinematic world being created. The whole movie does not have to be 3D... but that part of the topic comes under immersive advisory.

With OTT merging with immersive eyewear - 3D storytelling might finally come of age.