No other medium can pull you into its world as video games can. They let you truly explore it, fall in love with the characters, and tell your own story. Still, games have limitations. They often can’t compete with the immersive realism that movies provide. For this reason, gamers have been asking for video game movies for decades.
Video game movies don’t have a very favorable reputation. Ever since the first Super Mario Bros movie came out in 1993, it seemed like Hollywood hotshots had no understanding of video games. But it’s been almost 30 years since then! Many video game movies have come out since, and we’ve gone through all of them to tell you which ones are worth watching!
Detective Pikachu (2019)
Pokémon is one of the biggest media franchises in the history of humankind! A spot on this list was guaranteed from the get-go. The challenge was figuring out which movie is most fitting to represent the cultural behemoth. Mewtwo Strikes Back was a cultural game-changer that earned a special place in the hearts of longtime Pokémon fans.
It deserves a special mention, but Detective Pikachu possesses the best universal appeal today. You don’t have to be a Pokémon fan to enjoy this fun adventure romp, but if you are, you’ll appreciate the wealth of care and fanservice the writers lovingly included.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
The production of this film is a lesson in never giving up and being open to criticism. After the original design of Sonic became the laughingstock of the world, the production team took notice and action, quickly revitalizing the blue blur’s design. As a result, Sonic the Hedgehog was a box office hit!
Adored by fans and critics alike, this film follows its eponymous icon in our modern-day world! He meets a plucky human companion who fights alongside him as he goes up against the evil Dr. Robotnik, starred by the delightfully hilarious Jim Carrey. It’s a great watch for people of all ages and a good sign for video game movies to come.
Mortal Kombat (1995)
“Movies based on video games are terrible!” For a long time, Mortal Kombat was the sole exception to this rule. The caveat critics were forced to make. It was chock full of action, comedy, and fun without sacrificing character depth.
Each of the four main characters has a solid unique personality, with clear motivations, relationships, and character flaws. While the 2021 Mortal Kombat isn’t bad by any means, the timelessness and cultural significance of the original is hard to beat.
Wreck-it Ralph (2012)
The most successful video game movie ever made, Wreck-it Ralph is Disney’s love letter to gamers. What sets Wreck-it Ralph aside from the other entries on this list is that it’s not just a celebration of one franchise – it’s a celebration of gaming as a whole.
The main plot focuses on a fictional video game villain, Wreck-it Ralph, as he travels through power cables from game to game to prove himself a hero! The film includes just short of a hundred video game cameos, with even more references. Any gamer is sure to find some mention of a game they love.
Silent Hill (2006)
Video games aren’t all about campy fun and escapism. They’ve also been the origin of some of the best horror experiences in all of fiction. Silent Hill is one of the most famous examples, and the 2006 film captures its horrific, gloomy atmosphere flawlessly. Of course, playing the original silent hill game makes the experience all the better, and today you can do it on your browser! Just make sure you enable JavaScript in Edge for a flawless experience.
The history of video game movies may not be glamorous, but there are certainly some diamonds in the rough. The future for these films is looking brighter than ever. It’s an excellent time to be a gamer and a film buff!