Rich, bright and vivid colors typically get the attention when evaluating the capabilities of a TV or projector, but what sometimes gets overlooked how displays perform when scenes get gloomy and dark.
When it comes to image quality, deep blacks, rich shadow detail, and strong contrast are just as important as brightness, especially for cinematic experiences that thrive on mood and atmosphere. OLED technology shines in these areas over others, offering true black levels that create a sense of depth and realism.
Whether you’re showcasing a client’s new OLED display or settling in for a movie night at home, choosing the right content can make all the difference, bringing out the best in the technology’s performance, particularly in dark and shadow-heavy scenes.
Here are some movies that make for great demonstrations of an OLED’s capabilities when it comes to true black levels. (If you want to test out the audio for that system, we also have a companion article with some theater audio recommendations.)
Quick List of 10 Films to Test OLED Darks
- Nosferatu (2024)
- Gravity (2013)
- Interstellar (2014)
- Ad Astra (2019)
- Alien Franchise (1979-2024)
- 1917 (2019)
- Lord of the Rings franchise
- The Dark Knight trilogy (2005–2012)
- The Batman (2022)
- The Matrix Series (1999–2021)
- The Harry Potter Series (2001–2011)
Nosferatu (2024)
Be warned, this is a disturbing film as it features some very dark scenes. Literally. The film makes extensive use of dark shadows and deep blacks. In fact, the crushingly dark scenes shot in the titular character’s castle were lit exclusively with candles. Since the film is about a vampire, most of the scenes are shot at night, adding to the movie’s darkness and an OLED screen’s ability to add depth.
Gravity (2013)
Gravity kicks off our inclusion of movies based in outer space, of which there are many. What better way to show off an OLED’s ability to highlight deep blacks than the dark vastness of space against the brightness of Earth. This movie tells the stories of two astronauts that are essentially stranded in orbit around the Earth, which makes for some stunning visuals that are well-served on an OLED screen.
Interstellar (2014)
At this point, Interstellar has been on so many of our lists for both video and audio features that we can’t really say many more good things about it. Like Gravity, this quintessential science fiction film takes place in space, but through a black hole and much further away from Earth. The contrast between light and darkness when the crew enters the black hole would be a standout scene to try out on an OLED.
Ad Astra (2019)
This film has it all, including spacewalks, deep space travel, and even a scene on the moon that beautifully contrasts the deep blackness of space with the bright white chalkiness of Earth’s biggest natural satellite. Dynamic lighting sets the tone in this film, including in the Neptune scenes, featuring the dark blue glow of the icy planet against the darkness of space.
Alien Franchise (1979-2024)
One more franchise about space we need to talk about is Alien, as it was made for OLED. In these movies, shadows aren’t just dark. They’re alive, hiding the slimy dark xenomorph until it’s too late. The eerie glow of warning lights, the flicker of a flamethrower, the cold steel textures of a spaceship all look sharper, richer, more real in a way only OLED can deliver.
1917 (2019)
There is one scene in particular that is tailor-made for an OLED TV, and it’s the one when Schofield moves through a ruined city while flares ignite the dark night sky, dodging sniper fire from enemy soldiers. The blacks are very black, and the contrast created by the flares is outstanding on an OLED display. Shoutout to HDR technology as well here for really making these images pop.
Lord of the Rings franchise
I am 100% biased because I’m a big LOTR nerd, but these films, as well as some scenes in The Hobbit trilogy, do a great job of contrasting bright HDR content with dark elements contrasted with brilliant colors. Most scenes in Mordor, such as the Eye of Sauron or the fiery pits of Mount Doom will highlight these features, but the nighttime battle scenes at Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith in the second and third movies in the trilogy serve OLED screens just as well. We know The Hobbit trilogy doesn’t get as much attention, but the scene in Smaug’s lair is fantastic on an OLED.
Another title we have to mention is the Rings of Power series on Amazon. Say what you will about the actual story, but the images are made for an OLED, as apparent in the main image of this article.
The Dark Knight trilogy (2005–2012)
I mean, the word “dark” is literally part of these films, so we had to include them. Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy redefined Batman films with crushingly dark cinematography. Throughout the trilogy, the shadowy Gotham streets and deep contrasts look exceptional on OLED. The Dark Knight (2008), widely regarded as the best Batman movie, benefits from high-res IMAX sequences and an HDR-enhanced color palette, making every explosion, cityscape, and Joker’s colorful yet dark presence feel immersive.
The Batman (2022)
Speaking of Batman, Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022) leans into a neo-noir aesthetic, emphasizing deep blacks, vibrant neon reflections, and atmospheric rain-soaked streets. Like the trilogy before it, this film features heavy usage of shadows and dark lighting. Gotham has never looked more ominous and immersive, making this one of the best Batman films to showcase on an OLED display.
The Matrix Series (1999–2021)
When everyone in a film is clad in black clothing and sunglasses, it’s hard to ignore on an OLED. The Matrix series makes this list because of the deep blacks of the attire, the dark underground tunnels, and otherwise depressing shadowy darkness contrasted with the franchise’s green-tinted aesthetic.
The Harry Potter Series (2001–2011)
The Harry Potter series evolves visually over its eight-film arc, transitioning from the warm hues of the earlier films to the dark tones of both parts of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010–2011), and it’s these films that we’re talking about now. The darker, battle-driven finales benefit from HDR, making every shadowy confrontation feel immersive. These films stand out for their gloomy cinematography and landscapes, dynamic lighting, and vivid colors that contrast the darkness which OLED screens showcase beautifully.
