As someone who grew up with a Gameboy in one hand and a VHS tape recorder in the other, I have witnessed the rise and fall of many video game adaptations. From the sublime (Uncharted) to the ridiculous (House of the Dead), these films have become an integral part of my life, serving as both a source of joy and a reminder of what could have been.
Video games have been a popular pastime for nearly as long as they’ve graced our screens, and Hollywood has been quick to capitalize on this trend by adapting them into movies and television series. From blood-pumping fighting games like Mortal Kombat to the more family-friendly Candy Crush, various titles have found their way onto the big and small screen in some form or another. The adaptations don’t always hit the mark, but the original games usually boast a strong following. Here is our compilation of fantastic games that have been transformed into movies and TV shows.
Mortal Kombat
Back in ’92, when Mortal Kombat dropped, it stirred up quite a storm of controversy, yet it was also an instant hit among gamers like me. It still commands a huge fanbase today, with fresh instalments regularly rolled out and adaptations galore – even making its big-screen debut in 1995.
Tomb Raider
2001 saw the debut of the initial “Tomb Raider” video game, featuring Lara Croft, a daring female archaeologist and action hero. Since then, numerous sequels have been released within the game series. The original game was turned into a movie with Angelina Jolie portraying Lara Croft in 2001’s “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” followed by a sequel. In 2018, there was another adaptation featuring Alicia Vikander in the lead role.
Sonic The Hedgehog
Back in 1991, I found myself immersed in the groundbreaking world of Sonic The Hedgehog, a game that quickly became the cornerstone of the SEGA gaming system for me and many others. Fast forward to 2020, and this iconic title was brought to life on the big screen as a blockbuster film, retaining its original name. In the ’90s, there was even a short-lived animated series based on it too!
The Last Of Us
Initially, “The Last of Us” was an unexpected success as a video game. Subsequently, it garnered widespread acclaim when adapted into a highly praised TV series on HBO. The show, featuring Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal, has attracted viewers beyond its initial gamer demographic and is now recognized as one of the finest shows in HBO’s recent offerings.
Warcraft
The “Warcraft” video game series has been one of the long-lasting hits within the gaming industry. Given its success, it was only natural that it would be turned into a film eventually. This happened for the first time in 2016; however, the movie failed to capture the appeal of the game and was met with both critical and commercial disappointment.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
2023 saw the release of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which astonishingly shattered skepticism by turning into an unprecedented blockbuster success. Many had their doubts about the potential of this animated film, but it proved that the timeless appeal of a video game franchise that originated in the early ’80s was undeniable, raking in over $1.3 billion at the box office.
Five Nights at Freddy’s
Independent video games typically don’t expand into large media empires, but that’s exactly what “Five Nights at Freddy’s” achieved. Debuting in 2004, this game gained a dedicated hardcore fanbase which expanded with every subsequent release. The first film, premiered in 2023, earned more than ten times its production cost at the box office.
Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?
By the mid-80s, computer games were just starting out, and one of the most beloved games at the time was “Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?” This game gained such popularity that it was transformed into a children’s television show in 1991, with the late and esteemed Lynn Thigpen serving as its host. However, Netflix’s reboot of the show served as a striking example of a production that perhaps didn’t need to be revived.
Twisted Metal
From 1996 to 2012, the Twisted Metal series put out eight games and gained immense popularity as one of the all-time great driving games. Over a decade after its final game release, it found a new life as a TV show on Peacock, with its lasting appeal ensuring its success.
Assassin’s Creed
The Assassin’s Creed video games have garnered widespread acclaim since their debut in 2007. Across various iterations, set in diverse historical periods, the series has maintained its popularity despite a movie adaptation starring Michael Fassbender in 2016, which was met with disapproval from both critics and game enthusiasts.
Double Dragon
Back in 1987, Double Dragon was among the pioneering one-on-one combat games. It also had the distinction of being one of the earliest ones to be turned into a movie. In 1994, a film featuring Robert Patrick, Scott Wolf, and Alyssa Milano hit the screens, but unfortunately, it didn’t fare well critically or commercially.
Resident Evil
The Resident Evil franchise stands as an exceptional case, enjoying immense success in both its video game and movie adaptations for several decades now. Regardless of the passing time, zombie-themed content remains enduringly popular among fans.
Fallout
The “Fallout” video game franchise debuted in 1997, with numerous installments in both the main storyline and spin-offs released over the subsequent years. Although efforts to produce a movie were made initially, the series was eventually transformed into a TV show in 2024, which quickly gained popularity on Amazon’s streaming platform.
Rampage
Among all the films on this roster, “Rampage” stands out as the one that came as the most unexpected to receive a big-screen adaptation. Granted, the game enjoyed some popularity when it debuted in 1987, but it never appeared to be the type of game destined for cinematic translation. However, this changed when it transformed into a disaster movie starring Dwayne Johnson, hitting theaters in 2018.
Pokémon
Choosing only one adaptation for Pokémon proves challenging due to its widespread popularity in various forms. You can find it in video games, trading cards, comics, television series, and films, making it an omnipresent part of our culture.
Pac-Man
Back in the 1980s, Pac-Man wasn’t merely a video game; it was a cultural sensation that transcended its digital realm. It was one of the first instances where a video game became deeply embedded in mainstream culture. Therefore, it was only natural for it to be among the pioneering games to be transformed into a television show, which debuted as a Saturday morning cartoon in 1982.
Doom
Dwayne Johnson has appeared in some films based on video games, including “Doom” from 2005. This film was inspired by one of the earliest and widely recognized first-person shooter games sharing the same name, which was also known for its contentious reputation. However, compared to the game, the movie was less divisive and didn’t enjoy the same level of popularity.
Candy Crush
Back in 2012, one of the first mobile phone games that became incredibly popular was Candy Crush. However, when it was transformed into a TV game show hosted by Mario Lopez in 2017, its popularity wasn’t as high as expected; in fact, it only lasted for nine episodes before being taken off the air.
Maniac Mansion
Among the list’s entries, Maniac Mansion, a popular PC game from 1987, might seem the most unexpected for transformation into a TV show. However, skeptics were proven wrong when it indeed became one on Canadian television in 1990. Despite the similarities, the TV show bore little resemblance to the original game.
Halo
Initially, when the Xbox console debuted, an immense amount of work went into developing the initial game bundled with it, namely Halo. Over time, numerous iterations of this game have been released and it has become a mainstay of the console. Following several attempts in other media forms, including multiple efforts to create movies and TV shows, the successful franchise was eventually adapted into a TV series that premiered on Paramount+ in 2022, spanning two seasons.
Alone In The Dark
1992 saw Atari launch the initial “Alone in the Dark” video game series, which has since established itself as one of the longest-running franchises. Contrary to popular belief that a game’s success guarantees box office triumph, the 2005 film adaptation of “Alone in the Dark,” featuring Christian Slater, was a massive flop at the cinema.
DOA: Dead Or Alive
It often appears that many video game adaptations flop when they’re turned into movies, and films like DOA: Dead or Alive are a prime example of this trend. This movie, based on the successful fighting game franchise with the same name, was a massive failure at the box office, earning only around $8 million despite a budget of $30 million.
Prince Of Persia: The Sands of Time
Disney took a significant risk when they invested a large sum into the film adaptation of “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal, based on the popular video game series “Prince of Persia.” Although the movie generated revenue, it was more of a modest success rather than a blockbuster. Regrettably, the proposed sequel was subsequently scrapped.
Tekken
Tekken, a popular fighting game series, followed closely behind the successes of Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. Some viewers often perceived it as an imitator of those two colossal franchises, yet it maintains a dedicated fanbase. This devoted following even managed to secure a movie adaptation in 2009, but unfortunately, it flopped at the box office.
Knuckles
The “Knuckles” series on Paramount+ stands out as an uncommon adaptation from a video game spinoff. This show revolves around Knuckles the Echidna, who is also featured in the “Sonic The Hedgehog” films and playable characters in video games. He made his debut in the third installment of the game back in 1994.
Need for Speed
A type of video game that appears to have potential for additional adaptations is racing simulations, with a few exceptions like “Need for Speed.” Despite having limited numbers, these games are well-regarded, and the film version is an engaging car racing movie.
Wing Commander
As a gaming enthusiast, it’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that the Wing Commander video game series is now over three decades old, considering its first installment hit the shelves in 1990. The cinematic adaptation that followed in 1999 unfortunately failed to leave an indelible mark, crashing and burning spectacularly at the box office.
House Of The Dead
In the mid-’00s, Uwe Boll, a German director, gained recognition by transforming numerous video games into films. Regrettably, most of these adaptations flopped, including his initial effort, the 2013 film version of “House of the Dead,” which was based on the video game with the same title.
Gangs Of London
In 2006, the game “Gangs of London” appeared to be an unconventional option for a remake; however, it exceeded predictions by turning into a highly successful TV series on Sky Atlantic and AMC in 2020. Both audiences and critics have embraced this show, making it more popular than the original game it’s based upon.
BloodRayne
In a natural and easy-to-read manner,
Uncharted
Over the years, the Uncharted video game series has been widely acclaimed and played by many. Given its popularity, it’s not surprising that someone would attempt to create a successful movie based on it. The 2022 film featuring Tom Holland became one of the most successful adaptations of video games ever made, grossing over $400 million at the box office.
Street Fighter
Prior to Tekken and Mortal Kombat, there existed Street Fighter. For countless enthusiasts, it remains unparalleled as the ultimate fighting game ever created. With numerous iterations launched across various gaming platforms since the 80s, it’s one of the video game industry’s titans. The franchise made its live-action debut in a film featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme in 1994, and over time, has been adapted into numerous animated movies and television series.
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2024-12-01 02:38