Movies based on video games are the black sheep of adaptations.
Every once in a while we will get a great one, but for every one of these there will be countless failed attempts at capturing the magic of the video game its adapting from. As many filmmakers have discovered, adapting between these two mediums poses some unique challenges that can be tricky to overcome.
As a result of this, movies based on games have received a fairly unfair reputation.
Let’s celebrate a few of the ones that have got it right (and a few we would love to see!)
*We aren’t including TV adaptations here; saving that list for another time!
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1. Detective Pikachu [2019]
I grew up during the first generation of Pokemon; this billion dollar franchise has gone on to produce a hugely successful anime series, a number of animated feature films, dozens of video games, and a successful card game.
Detective Pikachu was the first time that Pokemon went live-action, something that everyone of a certain 90s vintage was thrilled to see.
Ryan Reynolds plays Pikachu.
But wait, Pikachu doesn’t talk!
Well the film does try and explain this, and whatever you feel about that choice, seeing our favourite pocket monsters as living, breathing creatures, with a fun plot to boot, was a joy for fans of the franchise.
You can grab the Blu Ray or DVD here.
2. Resident Evil [2002]
Resident Evil was a fairly early video game adaptation, and the first in the series launched a huge film franchise. In turn, it has also spawned animated features as well as expanding into comic books, novels and TV series.
Resident Evil established a tone unashamedly its own, and for that you have to give it kudos.
Whilst the original film may not be perfect, we are giving it some love for what it started.
Grab a Blu Ray copy of the entire series here.
3. Super Mario Bros. [2023]
Certainly, the 1993 film starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo has a cult following of fans, but it wasn’t until 2023 that the 2 Italian plumbers had a film that managed to capture the essence of the huge video game franchise it pulls from.
Showcasing vibrant animated worlds, faithful adaptations of the most popular characters, and copious references to platforming as well as the Mario Kart games, this film evoked a real sense of nostalgia for 90s kids as well as appealing to the younger demographic.
The Blu Ray of Super Mario Bros. can be picked up here.
Adaptations we would love to see
1. Shadow of the Colossus
This project was first discussed in 2009 and has been supposedly in development since then, making fans of the game question whether it will ever get made.
The game presents a major challenge of adaptation, being that there are really only two relatively undeveloped characters, a horse and the 16 huge colossi that the player is tasked with defeating
Rightly praised for its cinematic design, the game would lend itself to some really epic set pieces, should the right screenwriter be bought on board.
Josh Trank and Andrés Muschietti have both previously been attached to direct, though it is unclear what the latest is.
We’ll definitely be keeping our ears to the ground on this one.
2. Splinter Cell
Another project that has been in and out of development.
Splinter Cell is a stealth-action series of games that focuses on the exploits of Sam Fisher, a skilled operative working for a fictional black-ops sub-division of the NSA.
A film adaptation was announced in 2005, with Tom Hardy long thought to be keen to star. A number of filmmakers have been attached since then, including Doug Limon. Recent news on the project is limited though, so who knows what the future holds for a Splinter Cell adaptation.
3. Red Dead Redemption
For full transparency, Red Dead Redemption 2 is my favorite video game ever, so I am fairly biased towards this one.
There has rarely been a video game series so dense with cinematic moments, fantastic nuanced characters and complex story-lines.
This project is likely to never happen, as game developer Rockstar have pretty much said as much. However, we can dream and would one day love to see our favorite characters on the big screen, or as would possibly be more appropriate for such a lengthy, complex narrative, on TV.
What video game adaptations are you keen to see in the future? Let us know by tagging us on our socials!
