The 11 Greatest Films Inspired by Video Games

      Here are the 12 finest films inspired by video games.

      Typically, movies struggle to accurately represent video games, but when they succeed, they truly excel.

      Here’s our compilation.

      But First: The Varied History of Video Game Adaptations

      Disney

      Video games have been a favored entertainment option for many years, making it logical to adapt them into films just like books. Since most video games come with narratives and are inherently visual, it was only a matter of time before they began transitioning to cinema.

      Unfortunately, the outcomes have often been disappointing. A lot of films based on video games are average at best, with some being outright terrible. In fact, some of the worst films ever made are adaptations of video games. Nevertheless, enough time has elapsed, and numerous films have been produced, leading to a collection of 11 video game adaptations that are at least decent, with a few being genuinely good.

      The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

      Universal

      Had it not been for one major misstep, we would have a wider selection of video game films. Nintendo was one of the first to venture into this realm, with 1993’s Super Mario Bros. being the inaugural film adapted from a video game. Not just any video game, but the iconic series itself, and it turned out to be disastrous. Both critics and audiences rejected it, resulting in a complete failure. Consequently, Nintendo refused to permit further adaptations for decades.

      Eventually, Nintendo relented, allowing Mario and friends to feature in a new film. This time it would be animated and mostly adhere to the games' storyline. For instance, Bowser is portrayed correctly, not as a human mutant played by Dennis Hopper. Although some debated Chris Pratt’s casting as Mario, Jack Black’s portrayal of Bowser was enjoyable, the animation was impressive, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie achieved significant financial success, opening the door to more Nintendo films in the future.

      This is among the most entertaining and enjoyable video game adaptations.

      Rampage (2018)

      Warner Bros.

      In Rampage, you control a massive animal monster and wreak havoc on buildings. It’s an enjoyable experience! While the narrative is quite thin, there is potential for a film adaptation. Could Rampage be transformed into a big, silly action movie featuring Dwayne Johnson? Absolutely!

      Ultimately, we would have preferred more absurd action and destruction with less emphasis on the storyline, but Rampage delivered exactly what we sought from a movie based on a game about giant monsters demolishing things. It somewhat resembles Godzilla vs. Kong in that regard. In the end, we got to see Godzilla face off against Kong, and that was sufficient for us. The same spirit applies to Rampage, making it one of the most entertaining video game films.

      Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

      Paramount

      Poor Sonic the Hedgehog. First came the “Sonic looks bizarre” controversy, which resulted in a full redesign of the character (devastating for the special effects studio involved). Then the theatrical release was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in the end, Sonic triumphed.

      The sequel is arguably better, but it all began here. James Marsden performs well as “Sonic’s human friend.” Ben Schwartz excels as a voice actor. Jim Carrey's over-the-top performance adds charm. There’s a reason Sonic the Hedgehog has produced two sequels (with one on the way) and a TV spinoff featuring Knuckles.

      Need for Speed (2014)

      Disney

      After Aaron Paul’s rise to fame from his portrayal of Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad, Hollywood sought to find a suitable role for this acclaimed young star.

      Could Paul transition to a movie star? Need for Speed grossed $203.3 million against a $66 million budget. The reviews were somewhat lukewarm, but the film is entertaining.

      Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2017)

      Sony

      Paul W.S. Anderson directed four out of six of the delightfully quirky Resident Evil films starring Milla Jovovich. While not all of them are delightful, they discovered that embracing a goofy tone was the key to their success.

      The Final Chapter is the sixth and ultimate entry in the original series, and it delivers. It’s the standout of the series, so if you’re new, you could easily start here. It ranks among the best films adapted from video games.

      Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

      Paramount

      We can argue about the quality of the two films featuring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, but there’s no disputing that Jolie perfectly embodied the character.

      The films are also worth viewing for their stunning locations, especially the breathtaking Ta Prohm temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The trees growing through the ruins have made it an exceptionally beautiful location, earning it the nickname “Tomb Raider Temple” in some circles.

      Jolie’s experience filming in war-t