Movies have been incorporating video games into their stories since the early days of the gaming industry in the 1970s. Films like “Tron” and “The Last Starfighter” made them essential to the plot, while others such as “Swingers” and “The Avengers” found clever ways to weave some fantastic scenes around them. Our list encompasses movies with memorable video game moments, featuring both.
Tron
Tron, a film that initially had limited releases, has proven to be one of the lasting franchises from the past fifty years. It was groundbreaking as it integrated video games and gaming direction into its narrative, making it one of the first movies to do so. Notably, Jeff Bridges’ character owns an arcade and is a gamer himself; his digital counterpart also engages in games within the Master Control program.
The Princess Bride
In this fairy tale, it might not immediately strike you as a film adaptation of a video game, but there’s a pivotal opening scene to consider. The story unfolds when the main character, played by Fred Savage, is laid up in bed due to illness and missing school. His leisure activity is playing baseball, until his grandfather enters with an extraordinary book titled “The Princess Bride“.
John Wick
John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves) isn’t the type of person who spends much time on video games, but the wealthy fools he’s chasing are exactly the kind who might be engrossed in a first-person shooter game rather than the real-life gunman who is pursuing them relentlessly.
Fast Times At Ridgemont High
In “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” almost everything significant takes place at the shopping mall, even the arcade. This film, directed by Amy Heckerling, is unquestionably the epitome of ’80s high school life. It’s also worth mentioning that some key moments, such as the closing shot of the movie, occur in the mall’s arcade.
The Last Starfighter
In the 1980s, many children found a glimmer of hope in the film “The Last Starfighter” that there could be more to excelling at video games than simply seeing one’s initials on the screen. Perhaps, just perhaps, you might even be selected as an astronaut for interstellar missions. This is likely why the movie remains so cherished by anyone who grew up playing Galaga during that era.
Boyz N The Hood
Even movies set in the violent neighborhoods of South Central LA incorporate video games as they are everywhere. Consider the eerie atmosphere created when children play Duck Hunt on Nintendo with a realistic-looking gaming gun. After learning the film’s outcome, it becomes unsettling for viewers to see that gun, whether toy or not.
Ready Player One
There’s no question that “Ready Player One” deserves a spot on this list. After all, the entire universe it depicts is essentially one colossal game. Moreover, games from yesteryears – those from the era of early home consoles and arcades – significantly influence the global quest portrayed in the film and frequently propel its narrative forward at various points.
WarGames
In theory, a Global Thermal Nuclear War is like the scenario depicted in the film “WarGames.” The storyline revolves around this concept, and surprisingly, it’s the characters’ play of another video game (based on tic-tac-toe) that ultimately saves the world. And let me tell you, there’s an iconic moment early in the movie where the main character, David (played by Matthew Broderick), is seen playing Space Invaders – a scene that perfectly encapsulates nostalgia.
The Avengers
One of Tony Stark’s most memorable lines in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is when he’s seen playing Galaga during The Avengers, as the crew on their flying base takes a moment to unwind while preparing to save the world.
Swingers
If you were among those who spent countless hours playing NHL hockey on Sega in the ’90s, nothing could be more authentic or amusing than the brawl scene between Sue (Patrick Van Horn) and Trent (Vince Vaughn) from Swingers. That argument over a game mirrors exactly how many of us played for years before heading out for the night.
The Karate Kid
In the movie “The Karate Kid,” video games may not have a significant overall plot role, but they do hold importance. It’s during a game at an arcade that Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Ali (Elizabeth Shue) first start flirting significantly. Their relationship begins to flourish as she beats him in the game, creating a memorable moment.
Back to the Future Part II
One standout moment in Back to the Future Part II is when Marty (Micheal J. Fox), looking into the future, spots an arcade game called Wild Gunman. He tries to impress some kids by showing his marksmanship skills, but they dismiss it as a game for infants because it requires hand movement. In hindsight, this isn’t too different from how technology might evolve.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
In the early ’90s, although arcades were already becoming outdated, they were still commonly depicted as hangouts for mischievous youths. For instance, in the movie “Terminator 2: Judgement Day,” the character John Connor (played by Edward Furlough) and his friend would often be found at the arcade causing trouble. It was here that the Terminator first tracked them down for the first time.
Maximum Overdrive
In order to create a film about machines gaining consciousness, it’s practically inevitable that you’ll include a tense sequence featuring old arcade games. Even though Maximum Overdrive may not be well-regarded, it does contain striking moments such as the one where the games assault a character portrayed by young Giancarlo Esposito.
Jaws
Movie productions have incorporated video games into their stories as early as 1976, with scenes showing children engrossed in a game titled “Killer Shark” at an arcade on Amity Island’s beach.
Mallrats
In the realm of ’90s console gaming, one unforgettable moment comes from the movie “Mallrats,” directed by Kevin Smith. As a character, I’m Brody – a bit of a couch potato, if you catch my drift. My girlfriend, the late Shannen Doherty, was understandably frustrated. You see, the very first thing I did upon our reunion was resume my paused game from the previous night – a hockey match, to be precise, where I held a significant lead. While many can empathize with my enthusiasm for that big lead, it’s hard to deny it wasn’t the most romantic of gestures.
Dawn Of The Dead
Back in the golden age of arcades, I found myself captivated by the magnetic pull of pinball machines. One such machine left a lasting impact on me, not just because of its presence, but also due to its memorable role in one of the most terrifying films ever made – the 1978 classic, “Dawn of the Dead”.
Superbad
Movie scenes depicting video games can mirrorthe authenticity of real-life situations remarkably well, such asthe scene from Superbad, where Seth (played by Jonah Hill) is anxiously fretting over a party whileEvans (Michael Cera) remains unfazed due to his engrossment in gaming. This scene resonates with many experiences of teenagers’nights (and friendships) during high school.
Airplane!
Few films cram as many jokes into each minute as the classic comedy, Airplane!. One of these gags features two air traffic controllers engrossed in a basketball video game instead of safely landing planes. This might seem amusing, but it’s quite a nerve-wracking idea, isn’t it?
The Wrestler
The Wrestler is a captivating film that follows the story of a once-great professional wrestler named Mickey Rourke, now past his prime. He encounters a semblance of family, albeit fleetingly, with Pam (Marisa Tomei) and her child. In a touching scene, he engages in a friendly wrestling game on a video console with Pam’s son.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
In the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” there is a brief but impactful scene where Principal Rooney (played by Jeffery Jones) tries to catch Ferris (Matthew Broderick). On this mission, he comes across someone he believes to be Ferris playing an arcade game. However, it turns out to be a mistake on his part, and in retaliation for his blunder, Rooney gets sprayed with a straw full of soda.
Shaun Of The Dead
There is nothing quite as evocative as roommates bonding over video games to stir feelings of nostalgia for…essentially… sharing living space with someone else. For countless individuals, it’s an unforgettable experience to ditch responsibilities and engage in all-day video game combat instead.
Scott Pilgrim V. The World
2010 saw a surge in popularity for rhythm games such as Dance Dance Revolution, and it made an appearance in the global release of Scott Pilgrim V. The World. This game was featured in one of the movie scenes prior to any major plot twists, helping the audience develop a fondness for Scott (played by Michael Cera).
Zombieland
It appears that Michael Cera frequently portrays characters who are avid video gamers. Although gaming isn’t the central theme in any of his films, he is frequently depicted playing games in movies such as Zombieland, where in this particular movie, it’s World of Warcraft that he’s seen enjoying.
Grosse Pointe Blank
In the movie “Grosse Pointe Blank”, the term “First-person shooter” takes on a unique twist when the convenience store clerk, who used to live in Martin Blank’s house, is unaware of the real gunfire happening behind him as he becomes absorbed in his video game, where he’s shooting enemies. Martin (John Cusack) has to drag him out just before the store blows up, a testament to how immersive these games can be for players. This is a scenario many gamers will relate to.
The Wizard
The film titled “The Wizard,” featuring Fred Savage, can’t be considered a fantastic cinematic experience. It carries an overwhelming scent of commercialism, as it essentially served as a promotional tool for Nintendo. Given the immense impact of Nintendo on the video game market at that time, especially with their successful NES console, this corporate tie-in seems logical. However, predictably, the result was a mediocre movie.
Lost In Translation
Japanese arcades are exceptionally amazing, a cultural phenomenon that has persisted in Japan since its inception but didn’t last long in America. Consequently, they add an intriguing touch to Sofia Coppola’s Lost In Translation, contributing to the unique and captivating differences between the cultures that fascinate Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson).
Never Say Never Again
Indeed, even the iconic character James Bond was involved in the video game craze of the 1980s, albeit in a somewhat unique way. In the film “Never Say Never Again”, Sean Connery’s Bond engages in an exciting video game that has real-world ramifications. However, since the movie is not part of the official Bond canon and is not considered one of the best films from Connery’s era, we qualify our statement with “sort of”.
Superman III
Typically, Superman III ranks quite low or near the bottom in lists comparing Superman films. Despite being generally poorly received, it does boast an amusingly nostalgic Superman video game that many of us wished we could play as children. Regrettably, even Richard Pryor couldn’t infuse humor or enjoyment into a film as unfunny as this one.
The Thing
In some of Kurt Russell’s most memorable film moments, lines from “The Thing” stand out. Additionally, there are instances where he attempts to fend off monotonous danger by engaging in an early form of computer chess. This game, which dates back to the onset of the first home computers, was a fitting addition to the movie’s era.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Similar to certain other scenes on this list, the scene featuring Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd playing Mortal Kombat Deception mirrors how video game disputes were back then, including language that is now considered inappropriate (and regrettably used at that time, though it should not have been).
Joysticks
We’ve decided to feature this humorous, somewhat explicit B-movie because it was one of the earliest films to focus on the popular video game trend of the late 1970s, even though it was released at a time when the trend was already starting to decline due to the Video Game Crash of 1983. Despite its release timing being unfortunate, given its subject matter, it’s relevant to our list.
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2025-02-26 03:40