Are Videogame Movies the New Superhero Flicks?

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As the excitement around superhero movies appears to be waning, enthusiasts are left speculating about where their beloved larger-than-life heroes might appear next. The Marvel Cinematic Universe seems burdened by its own magnitude, while DC’s film titles have undergone numerous reorganizations. It seems that the genre of caped crusaders has lost its direction.

And then there are video game franchises.

In the late ’90s and early 2000s, video game adaptations weren’t typically praised by critics (or successful at the box office). Milla Jovovich experienced one failure after another with the Resident Evil films (even though I must admit I found them entertaining back then). Nonetheless, Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter managed to build a dedicated fanbase despite their unusual casting decisions and creative missteps.

Currently, it seems as though the stars have aligned, as the growing popularity of film adaptations based on video games is beginning to overshadow the waning trend of superhero movies. These days, people are flocking to cinemas without having played the original games, which would have been hard to imagine a decade ago.

The initial evidence of this transition became evident through the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, marking a substantial change from his traditional 2D and 3D appearances. When the trailer was unveiled, fans were taken aback by Sonic’s unusual-looking teeth and unappealing design. Wisely, Paramount took note of these concerns, made adjustments, and what ensued was a $320 million box office hit that blossomed into a prosperous franchise with Keanu Reeves starring in the third installment as Shadow.

Nintendo also wanted a piece of the success pie. Their Super Mario Bros. film proved to be a massive box office success, earning over $1.3 billion globally, and they’ve already lined up a follow-up set for release next year.

Additionally, the Minecraft film created quite a stir online, generating numerous memes prior to its premiere. Notably, it managed to earn an astounding $301 million at the box office during its debut weekend, which was over twice its production cost.

Compared to its production cost of approximately $180 million (with potential additional costs for reshoots), Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World, featuring Sam Wilson and Red Hulk, earned only about $400 million in revenue.

Absolutely, not every video game adaptation turns out to be a box office success. Titles like Minecraft and Mario have indeed generated substantial revenues, but they’ve received mixed reviews from critics. However, these opinions don’t seem to sway the decision of children (or those young at heart) when it comes to watching a movie based on their favorite games. To be honest, a ten-year-old isn’t likely to consult Rotten Tomatoes or IMDB before purchasing a cinema ticket.

The surge in popularity isn’t just confined to movies shown on the big screen. Even television has hopped onto this bandwagon, transforming well-known franchises into serialized programs. For instance, Netflix’s Castlevania series was a major hit that rekindled interest in the franchise. More recently, Netflix’s Devil May Cry series elicited mixed responses, while HBO’s The Last of Us attracted enormous audiences with its intense and emotionally charged adaptation of the popular game.

It seems clear that enthusiasts and devotees are enjoying a rich diet: as superhero exhaustion takes hold, video game adaptations are stepping in to satisfy the demand for entertainment, providing pop culture aficionados with an abundance of choices—and fresh entry points for new fans to immerse themselves. Whether you prefer superheroes or video games, it’s a fantastic time to be part of the fandom.

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2025-04-07 13:42