I’ve been working on this article for a couple of years now, which took a lot of time because well, it takes time to watch movies and TV series. There is a saying, “Slow work takes time.” But I think it’s worth the long haul. One of the reasons why home theater has become so much fun is the ability to put in audio systems that sound close to the best cinematic experiences.
One of the factors when considering titles for this article is the height experience that Dolby Atmos can deliver. Because of its object-based properties, sound can be placed in coordinates within a given home theater space. DTS:X is a little different in that it doesn’t require height speakers, but it’s still immersive. However, the number of DTS:X titles is much lower than Atmos, so we’ll stick with the Dolby product for this article.
If you haven’t seen these movies and really enjoy good audio, these titles are highly recommended. And, at high volume!
The Batman
The Batman is one of the best Dolby Atmos soundtracks we’ve ever heard, validated by a nomination for Best Sound at the 95th Academy Awards. There are so many immersive audio moments to talk about, but here is just one. At about 1 hour and 35 minutes there is the chase scene in which the Penguin fires shots at the Batmobile. The sounds of the gunfire shoot across the audio space from left to right as if you’re in the car with them. When the Penguin loses Batman for just an instant, you can hear the Batmobile screeching around to catch up. And, when the Penguin’s car flips multiple times you’re right in the BMW with him. The whole scene offers some incredible audio and low-frequency effects in what many believe to be one of the best chase scenes of all time. The Batman is available in Dolby Atmos on 4k Blu-ray and in Digital 4k UHD.
Edge of Tomorrow
It’s hard to cite just one or two scenes in Paramount’s Edge of Tomorrow (also known as Live. Die. Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow) that are memorable Atmos moments because there are literally so many! The battle scenes are loaded with spatial audio moments that activate discreet rear, side, and most notably height speakers that are only delivered when hearing the Dolby Atmos track. This is an improvement over the previous DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track on the 1080p Blu-ray which was excellent quality in its own right, offering a reference-quality title for your audio system.
Max Max: Fury Road
George Miller’s long-awaited Mad Max: Fury Road is an onslaught of action that never stops, both visually and audibly for its two-hour stretch. Resounding deep bass percussion pervades in this film and will have your house shaking, while the sounds of weapons and attacking Mad Max-style vehicles hit from all sides. The music score by Tom Holkenborg fills the sound space and hits like a tsunami at 1 hour, 37 minutes when Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) is stabbed by one of Immortan Joe’s clan. Mad Max: Fury Road is available with Dolby Atmos on 4k Blu-ray (ranked in our Best 4k Blu-rays of All Time) and in Digital 4k UHD.
Saving Private Ryan
Saving Private Ryan is one war movie that has transcended the genre. The opening scene, the most memorable for a majority of viewers, is not only immersive in its audio qualities but also in the way it was shot. Bullets whish through the 3-dimensional sound space — overhead, left to right, and behind, and even through water. Later on in the movie, one distinct Atmos moment takes place in the church at about 1:08 when all the bombs are going off in the distance. Another occurs in the final scene at 2:15 when you can hear the sounds of ammo chains clinking as if right next to you.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Not only does The Lord of the Rings Trilogy offer a reference-quality visual experience, the audio experience is equally as impressive. The 4k Blu-ray and Digital 4k UHD presentations of The Lord of the Rings movies are formatted with Dolby Atmos, a notable improvement over previous Blu-rays that already delivered a great audio experience in DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1. From the sounds of arrows moving through the audio space, to the thunderous avalanches in the Misty Mountains, the audio experience in all three moves is unparalleled. But, you would expect no less from the Trilogy that won and was nominated for multiple awards in sound editing, mixing, and music composition.
Bloodshot
Bloodshot didn’t do so well at the theaters (it was released during the Covid-19 outbreak), but it does have some redeeming qualities that are well-received in the home theater space. In the beginning of the film when Ray Garrison (Vin Diesel) is rescuing a hostage he drops a grenade at about two minutes and fifteen seconds that’s completely immersive. The whole scene, in fact, has some great gunfire and radio chatter that really takes advantage of the Atmos object-based quality. Bloodshot is available in Dolby Atmos on 4k Blu-ray and in Digital 4k UHD.
Godzilla (2014)
There are so many great audio moments in Godzilla (2014) that is presented with Dolby Atmos on 4k UHD Blu-ray and in Digital 4k UHD (the most recent Blu-rays come close with DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1). From helicopters flying overhead, to the MUTU (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism), and Godzilla himself the audio mix and dynamic range deliver a fantastic spatial experience. One moment that is noteworthy of low frequency effects is when the MUTO attacks a Russian submarine and drops it in O’ahu to eat its nuclear material. Another great moment that hits low frequencies is at 55 minutes when Godzilla swimming ashore causes a tsunami that fills the audio space.
No Time to Die
Want to know what it sounds like to be shot at from point-blank range? The scene in which James Bond and Madeleine Swann are bombarded with gunfire while in the bullet-proof Aston Martin is one of the best we’ve ever heard. Cyclops and his gang pound the car with lead, and as the gang leader moves closer the sounds get even more menacing. It’s like you are right in the Aston Martin with Bond, where even his heavy breathing can be heard in surround sound. But that’s just one moment of the reference-quality soundtrack from No Time To Die that is unmatched, and in fact, was nominated for Best Sound at the 94th Academy Awards. The film is available in Dolby Atmos on 4k Blu-ray and Digital 4k UHD.
1917
Known for its groundbreaking seamless shot that won Roger Deakins an Oscar for cinematography, 1917 is also an earthy-looking sharp-as-hell war film with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that offers one of the best home audio experiences to date. The Sam Mendes film was nominated for a total of ten Academy Awards, winning three, and those qualities are reflected in this home media presentation.
All Quiet on the Western Front
Top Gun Maverick
2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick is a reference-quality 4k Blu-ray title that excels in all aspects of home theater presentation. With groundbreaking aerial cinematography and incredibly sharp images, the real star of this disc is the Dolby Atmos/Dolby True HD 7.1 soundtrack. Talk about immersive sound, Top Gun: Maverick is the kind of media we build home theaters for. The sounds of the jet engines, weapons and defensive weapons fire, and over-the-radio dialogue set you right in the middle of the action. Read a review.
Blade Runner 2049
An absolutely gorgeous movie with cinematography by Roger A. Deakins is made even better by a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that completely immerses viewers in the world Ridley Scott recreated for Blade Runner 2049, the sequel to Blade Runner. The haunting music composition from Benjamin Wallfisch and Hans Zimmer engulfs you in synthesized sound, underscoring ambient effects that fill the sound space. Jump to 1 hour and 1 minute when K’s transport crashes for a moment of incredible sound design that’s unforgettable.
The Northman
Dune (2021)
Dune: Part Two
Ready Player One
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
More descriptions coming soon!
