Methods and apparatus for controlled shadow casting to increase the perceptual quality of projected content are disclosed. In some examples, an apparatus is to increase a perceptual quality of content projected onto a projection surface. In some examples, the apparatus includes a shutter position determiner to determine a target shutter position for a shutter based on a location of a light source and a location of the projection surface. In some disclosed examples, the apparatus further includes a shutter controller to move the shutter to the target shutter position to cast a shadow onto the projection surface around a portion of the content projected onto the projection surface.