Can PS3 Play 3D Movies?

The PS3 cannot play 3D movies natively from disc or file. It lacks the HDMI 1.4a 3D frame-packing output and MVC (Multiview Video Coding) decoder required for Blu-ray 3D.

What Does Work

• Blu-ray 3D Disc → External Player → PS3: Connect a standalone Blu-ray 3D player (or PS4/PS5) to PS3's HDMI In (only on launch 60/20GB models with "HDMI In" port—rare). PS3 acts as pass-through display. Not practical.
• Streaming Apps (Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime): PS3 apps do not support 3D streaming—apps never updated for 3D after 2012.
• Side-by-Side / Top-Bottom 3D Files (MKV/MP4): PS3 Video Player (or Showtime homebrew) can play half-resolution SBS/TAB files on a 3D TV. The TV does the interpolation. Quality is 720p per eye max.

Requirements for Any 3D on PS3

1. 3D-capable TV (active shutter or passive).
2. HDMI 1.4 cable (High Speed with Ethernet).
3. 3D glasses (TV-specific).
4. PS3 System Software 3.50+ (added 3D Blu-ray playback flag—but no decoder).

Better Options

• PS4 / PS5: Native Blu-ray 3D support (PS4: 1.75 firmware+; PS5: at launch).
• PC + PowerDVD / MPC-BE + madVR: Full 3D MVC decoding, frame-packed output.
• Standalone 3D Blu-ray Player: $80–$150, reliable.

PS3 is a great 2D Blu-ray player. For 3D, use almost anything else.