With millions of people playing video games every day, falling in love with the worlds, stories, and characters they encounter, it should come as no surprise that directors are chomping at the bit to adapt them onto the silver screen.
Coupled with the apparent lack of originality going on in Hollywood, video games of all types are very much in the firing line to be turned into the latest hit (or is sadly more often the case, flop) to grace cinemas around the world.
Video game adaptations are absolutely not a new thing in Hollywood. Way back in 1993, Nintendo tried to take the Mario Bros. and turn them into silver screen stars. The movie did okay. It’s not good by a long shot, but it does have a cult fandom and is considered a somewhat classic adaptation. Before that, there was “Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach” in 1986, which… Well it wasn’t great.
On the plus side, those early attempts did kick off a whole new genre of video game movies that is still going today. For better or for worse.
What makes a good video game adaptation is subjective, to a degree. There are lots of things to take into consideration: How true is the adaptation to the source material? Does it live up to the individual experience while playing, or does it create a sole focus for the viewers attention? Does it bring back the joy of experiencing the story of a game first-hand, or does it add a new level of enjoyment?
Movies of all types, including game adaptation movies, are judged by two groups of people — the public and the critics. These two groups aren’t always in agreement, and it can be hard to figure out who to trust. With that in mind, here are my top 10 video game movies ranked from worst to best, with back-up from critic and public reviews and box office stats.
10. Werewolves Within (2021)
- Budget: $6.5 million
- Box office: $991,898
- Public opinion (IMDb): 6/10
- Critic opinion (Rotten Tomatoes): 86%
Werewolves Within was released in 2021 without much fanfare and has largely gone unnoticed ever since, which is reflected in the frankly embarrassing loss that the movie made at the box office. However, to give it credit where it’s due, it did only get a limited release and there is a particular cult following for this horror-comedy. Critics seem to love it, and those who have discovered it more recently through streaming platforms have praised the performances and story, so there is some merit to it being on this list.
If you’re wondering why on earth this movie is on a list of the best video game adaptations, you’re likely not alone. The original Werewolves Within game was a pretty niche “multiplayer social-deduction VR” game released on Windows and PlayStation 4 back in 2016. The story in both the movie and the game are the same, with a town being attacked by a werewolf and the main players having to guess which member of the community is the offending lycanthrope.
9. Silent Hill (2006)
- Budget: $50 million
- Box office: $100.6 million
- Public opinion (IMDb): 6.5/10
- Critic opinion (Rotten Tomatoes): 32%
Although Silent Hill only managed to rake in just over double its budget, it’s gone on to be considered a classic in the very specific horror game movie adaptation genre for many. It took five years for director Christophe Gans to even be allowed the rights to make the movie, and thanks to his decision to use professional dancers for most of the monsters, the effects haven’t aged too horribly, and the watching experience is still enjoyable to this day.
At the time, reception from critics wasn’t exactly favorable, but in the 18 years since the movie was released, reviews have been much more appreciative of the story and setting. It’s definitely something of a cult classic at this point, and even though it runs a little long at just over two hours, it stands the test of time for horror fans.
8. Uncharted (2022)
- Budget: $120 million
- Box office: $407.1 million
- Public opinion (IMDb): 6.3/10
- Critic opinion (Rotten Tomatoes): 41%
Uncharted is one of the more recent entries on this list, and it might be a bit of a controversial one. With Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg as the stars, the movie follows the story of Sam and Nathan Drake as they search for treasure. It makes the list for a couple of reasons outside of my soft spot for Tom Holland.
When it comes to being true to the source material, Uncharted changes a host of things, admittedly. Outside of the fact that the main characters are indeed present, there are a lot of things that will stand out to anyone who played the games. However, the story is still enjoyable, and it’s an action-packed couple of hours that won’t let you feel bored, so you won’t regret watching it.
7. The Angry Birds Movie (2016)
- Budget: $73 million
- Box office: $352.3 million
- Public opinion (IMDb): 6.3/10
- Critic opinion (Rotten Tomatoes): 44%
Now listen, I know that when it comes to video game adaptations, Angry Birds might not be at the top of the list. However, somehow, Hollywood managed to take a mobile game filled with birds who hate pigs and give each of them unique and genuinely enjoyable backstories and personalities. That’s no mean feat, and that’s why The Angry Birds Movie deserves to be on this list.
Not to mention the fact that the movie grossed a huge amount compared to its budget and was successful enough to spawn sequels that are equally as enjoyable as the first movie and a huge amount of merchandise; plus, this one is something that you can drag the kids to watch, which is a useful excuse if you don’t want to be seen willingly heading to the theater solo.
6. Pokémon: The First Movie (1999)
- Budget: $5 million
- Box office: $172.7 million
- Public opinion (IMDb): 6.3/10
- Critic opinion (Rotten Tomatoes): 16%
The critics might not agree with my love for Pokémon: The First Movie, with Rotten Tomatoes only giving it a devastating 16%, but I have my reasons for its inclusion on this list. Firstly, it was the first movie (ha) I ever went to the cinema to see, so it’s hugely nostalgic for me, but secondly, it’s the first time that most people got to see Pokémon on anything other than a tiny Game Boy screen or an equally tiny TV screen.
The First Movie brought Pokémon to the big screen and is the kicking-off point for obsessions in 30-somethings around the world. While it’s old, and the animation has definitely aged, it has aged in the best possible way. Sitting down to watch The First Movie even today brings back the same feeling as sitting down on a Saturday morning, three feet away from the screen with a bowl of cereal, ready to kick off the weekend with some cartoons.
5. Tetris (2023)
- Budget: $80 million
- Public opinion (IMDb): 7.4/10
- Critic opinion (Rotten Tomatoes): 81%
Technically, Tetris isn’t an adaptation of the universally recognized game. I’m not sure how that would be possible outside of giving each block a face and personality, and I don’t think that would do very well. No, Tetris is a Docudrama about the creation and licensing of Tetris from Russia during the Cold War.
While it’s not technically an adaptation, it is one of my favorite films of all time, and not only is it enjoyable to watch, but it’s also an education on how life was for people at the time, and it’s heartwarming to boot.
Tetris is exclusive to Apple TV+, so I can’t give you any box office stats on it. However, according to a research panel that tracks smart TV usage in homes, Tetris had over 88,000 viewers within the first two days of it being available to watch.
4. Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)
- Budget: $20 million
- Box office: $297.1 million
- Public opinion (IMDb): 5.4/10
- Critic opinion (Rotten Tomatoes): 32%
There’s no denying it, Five Nights at Freddy’s is a millennial phenomenon. Streamers and YouTubers have had huge success playing the game for viewers, with a Twitch all-time peak of 209,861 viewers, and it’s still beloved by those in a certain age bracket to this day. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone that it was eventually turned into a movie, but what surprised people was just how well it did.
Raking in more than ten times its budget, Five Nights at Freddy’s has proven that it can survive on the big screen, as well as in-game format. While critics might not rate it as highly as it deserves, the movie is enjoyable even for those who avoided the game like the plague (I speak from experience) and it’s genuinely fun to watch, although probably not one for a younger audience.
3. Detective Pikachu
- Budget: $150 million
- Box office: $450.1 million
- Public opinion (IMDb): 6.5/10
- Critic opinion (Rotten Tomatoes): 68%
Now we’re getting to what I would consider to be the obvious choices, the first of which is Detective Pikachu. While 30-somethings had The First Movie to bring the Pokémon world to life, the younger generations were given this glorious CGI gem with Ryan Reynolds as the voice of an actually talking, coffee-obsessed Pikachu. Sort of.
Detective Pikachu did incredibly well at the box office, there were promo Pokémon Cards available, McDonalds did a whole line of toys to run alongside the movie, and even the critics viewed the movie in a glowing light. It’s funny, heartwarming, filled with beauty, and even nerve-wracking at times. Definitely worth a watch, especially for those who have grown up surrounded by Pokémon since the 90s.
2. Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
- Budget: $90 million
- Box office: $320 million
- Public opinion (IMDb): 6.5/10
- Critic opinion (Rotten Tomatoes): 64%
I’m sure I don’t need to remind people about the catastrophic initial design of Sonic prior to this movie being released. It was huge news at the time, and you couldn’t escape the memes when viewers got their first glimpse of doomed Sonic. Thankfully, the public reaction sparked a redesign, and thank God it did because there’s no way Sonic the Hedgehog would have done as well as it did otherwise.
As a side note, if you want to see what could have been, go and watch Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers, where “Ugly Sonic” has a bit part that pays homage to this weird moment in internet history.
Sonic the Hedgehog tripled its budget at the box office, and there have been multiple sequels and spin-offs in the time since, with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 due to be released in December 2024, with Jim Carrey reprising his role (and adding another one), and Keanu Reeves playing the part of Shadow.
1. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
- Budget: $100 million
- Box office: $1.36 billion
- Public opinion (IMDb): 7/10
- Critic opinion (Rotten Tomatoes): 59%
If you didn’t see this coming, then I don’t know what to tell you. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is the only logical choice for the top spot of this list, thanks to its staggering billion-dollar box office record, but also because it’s just so fun to watch. And I would know because I have a four-year-old who demands to watch it at least once a day, and I’m still not bored of it, although I can quote the entire script at you without too much effort.
The plot is strange, but what do you expect for a movie based on a platforming plumber who is perpetually rescuing a princess who can’t seem to keep out of trouble for more than five minutes? The Super Mario Bros. Movie has introduced an entirely new generation of children to Mario, which is never a bad thing, and the characters are all so familiar that it warms the heart to see children falling in love with the Italian adventurer all over again.
Published: Dec 12, 2024 06:57 am