6 Best Virtual Reality and Simulated World Movies

By Vlad Zakh · June 3, 2026

The blurred line between reality and simulation has powered some of cinema’s most mind-bending science fiction spectacles. In The Matrix (1999): A computer hacker discovers his entire reality is a simulation controlled by machines enslaving humanity. Just as strong is Ready Player One (2018): A teenager competes in a global scavenger hunt inside a vast virtual reality universe to win its creator’s fortune.

Free Guy (2021)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A background character in an open-world video game becomes self-aware and decides to become the hero.

Directed by Shawn Levy · 1h 55m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus, fuboTV, YouTube TV, FXNow · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Ready Player One (2018)

TMDB ★ 7.4

A teenager competes in a global scavenger hunt inside a vast virtual reality universe to win its creator's fortune.

Directed by Steven Spielberg · 2h 20m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Thirteenth Floor (1999)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A scientist's murder investigation reveals his simulated virtual world is nested inside another simulation.

Directed by Josef Rusnak · 1h 40m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

eXistenZ (1999)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A game designer's new virtual reality system blurs the line between the game world and real life.

Directed by David Cronenberg · 1h 37m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Matrix (1999)

IMDb ★ 8.7 RT 83% Metacritic 73

A computer hacker discovers his entire reality is a simulation controlled by machines enslaving humanity.

Directed by Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski · 2h 16m · Rated R

Won 4 Oscars42 wins & 52 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: YouTube TV, VIX · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Tron (1982)

TMDB ★ 6.8

A computer programmer is digitized and pulled inside the mainframe of a sinister software program.

Directed by Steven Lisberger · 1h 36m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Virtual Reality and Simulated World Movies

Free Guy (2021)

Ready Player One (2018)

The Thirteenth Floor (1999)

eXistenZ (1999)

The Matrix (1999)

Tron (1982)

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