5 of the Best Monitors For Watching Movies in 2024

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Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated May 2, 2024 4:18 PM
best monitor watching movies guide that shows the top best computer monitor model

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When watching movies, image quality is paramount. The best monitors for this use case feature excellent contrast ratios, vibrant color gamut coverage, and strong brightness to handle various lighting conditions. Low response times help reduce motion blur, while higher refresh rates ensure smooth playback of fast-paced scenes, making your viewing experience immersive and enjoyable​​​​.

We analyzed 196 monitors, focusing on those that excel in these criteria. Of these, 5 monitors earned a spot on our buying guide. Our analysis included 319,390 reviews, filtering out 71% of experts who produced fake or low quality reviews. Our unique approach combines True Score, product verification, and proprietary Trust Rating to ensure reliability. These winning products performed well in our rigorous testing and verification process, delivering exceptional movie-watching experiences. If gaming is more your style than movies, the leading Xbox One X monitors provide high refresh rates and minimal input lag. For those interested in the top options overall, don’t miss our guide to the best computer monitors.

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How Did We Rank the Best Monitors for Watching Movies?

Selecting the ideal monitor for watching movies involves more than just a pretty screen. We reviewed over 200 sites, combining insights from expert reviews and detailed customer feedback. Our methodology focused on 2 critical test results and 3 must-have features. By prioritizing key elements like contrast, color depth, and screen size, and utilizing our True Score system, we’ve curated a list of top monitors that elevate your home theater experience to new heights.

Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must have a screen size of at least 27″.
  • Must be 4K.
  • Must support HDR.

? Test Criteria

  • Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 or higher (infinite), offering deep blacks and bright whites for an exceptional viewing experience.
  • Color Accuracy: At least 90% of the DCI P3 color gamut, providing rich and vibrant colors.

Latest Updates

  • 05/02/2024: Republished the list to include the best monitors for watching movies based on our True Score system.

Top Monitors for Watching Movies For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Asus ROG PG27AQDM

    • Best For Macbook Pro

    A great monitor for movie buffs seeking vivid colors and deep blacks with OLED technology. Suitable for moderately lit rooms, its gamer-focused features, like a high refresh rate, enhance both films and gaming experiences, albeit at a premium price.

    Asus ROG PG27AQDM Review →

    True Score

    87
    89
    10

    Experts

    90
    6k

    Customers

    SAVE $74
    $799.00
    $724.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    HP OMEN 27QS

    • Best For Cheap

    Offering surprising performance for its price, this monitor shines with high brightness and vibrant colors, making it a solid choice for movie enthusiasts and gamers alike. Glare can be an issue in bright rooms, effectively balancing cost and performance.

    HP OMEN 27QS Review →

    True Score

    85
    83
    4

    Experts

    91
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $130
    $299.99
    $169.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240

    • Best For Graphic Design

    Excellent for action-packed movies and gaming with unbeatable response time and color accuracy. The OLED panel offers great contrast and brightness suitable for most settings but with a higher price and burn-in considerations..

    Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 Review →

    True Score

    83
    83
    10

    Experts

    88
    335

    Customers

    $999.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dell U2723QE

    A mid-range 4K option combining good brightness with accurate colors. While not the fastest, it’s versatile for movies, gaming, and productivity, offering a balanced mix of features for a reasonable price, though gaming at high frame rates might be limited.

    Dell U2723QE Review →

    True Score

    83
    83
    8

    Experts

    87
    578

    Customers

    SAVE $145
    $579.99
    $434.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    LG 27GP950-B

    • Best For LG

    With exceptional brightness and color accuracy, this 4K monitor elevates movie watching, especially in bright environments. It’s perfect for 4K content, with a good contrast ratio and HDR support, at a steep price for premium experiences.

    LG 27GP950-B Review →

    True Score

    82
    83
    4

    Experts

    87
    903

    Customers

    SAVE $423
    $899.99
    $476.99

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Monitors for Watching Movies?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required), anyone can quickly and easily compare these computer monitors and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase the best monitor for watching movies!

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Contrast Ratio>1000:1YesThe difference in brightness between the whites (lit sections) and blacks (dim or unlit sections) of a monitor panel.
Color Gamut (DCI P3 xy)> 90%YesHow much of the DCI P3 xy color gamut is covered by the monitor, which helps indicate color accuracy for HDR content, which includes certain movies.

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 110+ computer monitor reviewers and found that 33 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for computer monitors.

  1. Samuel Breton – Rtings, MuckRack
  2. Chris Eberle – Tom’s Hardware, LinkedIn
  3. Tony Hoffman – PC Mag, MuckRack

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every computer monitor review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Computer Monitor Test Data & Results

1. Contrast Ratio (as ratio, x:1) Test Results

Contrast ratio is responsible for making images appear “dynamic” and “dramatic.” By having a good contrast ratio, a monitor is able to recreate dramatic differences between light and dark spots in scenes, images and games accurately.

At a minimum, we recommend a contrast ratio of 1000:1, as this will do a good enough job at allow for detail in dark scenes and images. If contrast ratio gets too low, the picture quality suffers, and the monitor performs worse across the board, no matter the lighting condition. By getting a monitor with a sufficiently high contrast ratio, you can ensure the picture quality doesn’t suffer, and dramatic scenes with stark shifts in lighting, whether they be in games or videos, are created as accurately as possible.

Contrast Ratio (higher is better)

2. Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 xy) Test Results

Color gamut is responsible for making a monitor produce accurate colors when displaying a variety of content. The DCI P3 xy gamut is considered a “standard” gamut of sorts, and is used to help color grade films. Most HDR content will use this gamut at the very least (though other gamut exist) and it’s a commonly used gamut for films.

When it comes to a computer monitor, having a panel that covers at least 90% of the DCI P3 gamut means it’ll output accurate colors when watching HDR content and movies that use the gamut. If a monitor doesn’t cover enough of the gamut, it causes color inaccuracies and shifts the image quality. If you care about maintaining accuracy in the movies you watch so they look the way they were intended, this gamut needs to be properly covered.

Color Gamut P3 XY (in %; higher is better)

Best Monitors for Watching Movies: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring Display Quality: Don’t compromise on display quality. Look for monitors with high resolution (such as 4K Ultra HD) and excellent color accuracy to ensure vibrant and lifelike images. IPS panels are preferable for their wider viewing angles and better color reproduction.

  2. Disregarding Aspect Ratio: The aspect ratio affects how movies are displayed. Most movies are in a widescreen format (16:9 or even wider). Choosing a monitor with a compatible aspect ratio ensures that you can watch movies without black bars or image distortion.

  3. Neglecting Screen Size: Screen size matters for an immersive viewing experience. While larger screens can provide a more cinematic feel, ensure the monitor fits your viewing environment. Too large a screen in a small room may be overwhelming, while too small a screen might not deliver the impact you desire. A 1080p gaming monitor can provide a sharp and responsive experience, especially if you prioritize performance over resolution. For a balance between size and clarity, the best 27-inch monitor offers ample screen real estate without overwhelming the space.

  4. Overlooking Contrast Ratio: A high contrast ratio is crucial for deep blacks and bright whites, enhancing image depth and detail in movies. Look for monitors with a high native contrast ratio or features like HDR (High Dynamic Range) for superior contrast performance. Additionally, HDR monitors with full array local dimming further improve contrast by dynamically adjusting brightness across different screen zones, resulting in even deeper blacks and more vivid highlights.

The Best Monitors for Watching Movies Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Brightness
Contrast Ratio
Color Gamut (DCI P3)
Color Gamut (sRGB)
Input Lag
Response Time (ms)
Reflections %

Asus ROG PG27AQDM

  • Best for Macbook Pro

87
  • 311.24 nits

  • 311.24:1

  • 94.85%

  • 99.98%

  • 10.8 ms

  • 2.13 ms

  • 2%

$724.99
$799
$74

HP OMEN 27QS

  • Best for Cheap

85
  • 389.5 nits

  • 389.5:1

  • 94.35%

  • 100%

  • 8.5 ms

  • 4.2 ms

  • 4.8%

$169.99
$300
$130

Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240

  • Best for Graphic Design

83
  • 317.53 nits

  • 317.53:1

  • 96.12%

  • 106.96%

  • 13.55 ms

  • 0.79 ms

  • 1.8%

$999.99

Dell U2723QE

  • Best for Coding

83
  • 333.62 nits

  • 1,672.5:1

  • 93.58%

  • 100%

  • 9.1 ms

  • 8.6 ms

  • 9.3%

$434.99
$580
$145

LG 27GP950-B

  • Best for LG

82
  • 410 nits

  • 1,194:1

  • 96.75%

  • 100%

  • 4.2 ms

  • 4.4 ms

  • 8.4%

$476.99
$900
$423

Monitors for Watching Movies Questions (FAQ)

What features should I prioritize when selecting a monitor for watching movies?

Look for monitors with high-resolution displays (such as 4K or at least Full HD) to ensure crisp and detailed imagery. Additionally, consider monitors with wide viewing angles and good color accuracy for an immersive viewing experience.

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