For as long as video games have subsist , film producers have adapted them for the big screen . The rationale behind these decisions is clear , as big - name picture gamefranchiseshave the potential to wreak a lot of fan into the theater . But they have see circumscribed succeeder over the years .
Some video game moving-picture show adaptations have managed to get the spirit of their source material and deliver an exciting take on the dealership . Others , however , have treated the video plot as a vague denotation breaker point , resulting inunderwhelming filmsthat disappointed the average moviegoer , as well as longtime players .
The pendulum has started to shift , however , as more adaptations are fall on the good - to - great side of the spectrum . It has never been a better clip to be a video game picture show rooter . These are the best video game movies .
There are also plenty ofupcoming video game moviesthat we expect to distrupt this tilt soon .
1. The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Spoiler alert : the best and worst TV biz movies are both establish on theMariofranchise . Even though this version thankfully took the animate direction over alive - activity , there was still a fleck of concern over how it would turn out . While most of the cast was considered post - on , sustain Chris Pratt voice Mario drew some concern . Having Mario address would be difficult enough to pull off , but replacing his only vox actor for a picture sensation felt like a bridge deck too far . Despite all that , the remnant result is a fantastic and capricious risky venture through the Mushroom Kingdom that feels like it does the entire dealership justice .
2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sorry Sonic , but you ’re coming in second to Mario one more time . This sequel fixes a luck of the mistakes of the master copy , which was quite good in its own right and aid kvetch off the trend of game adaptations being high quality . The continuation smartly shift more stress to Sonic and his story than the human characters , though there is still some slow import devoted to them . The additions of Tails and Knuckles are excellent , and Jim Carrey ’s Eggman is always a delectation to see on -screen .
3. Pokémon Detective Pikachu
The Pokémon anime series never amply translate to the cock-a-hoop screen despite countless attempts , but Pikachu could n’t be keep from box seat office glory constantly . The first live - military action Pokémon movie , Pokémon Detective Pikachu , uses bright detailedCG Pokémonalongside man to create a vibrant creation that buff have woolgather of since playingRedandBlueon the original Game Boy . Its noir - mystery narration is predictable and just engrave the surface of the universe , but it feel like it was created by longtime fans who grew up as the dealership evolved .
The constituent that couch it over the top is Ryan Reynolds , who delivers his noted caustic remark and witticism at a speedy - fire pace as the nominal character . Such an endearing animate being having the vocalization of a grown man never loses its novelty , especially when he has to interrogate another Pokémon during his missing - person investigating .
4. Uncharted
Naughty Dog games are often compared to picture show , so it makes sense to try and turn them into motion picture . WhileThe Last of Usgot the amazing HBO series , Unchartedwas coerce into a characteristic pic first . And squeezed is the primal word , because this one film attempts to combine element from almost all of the game . That makes for a somewhat rocky plot and lacklustre part development , but at least ensures a angry ride . Some amazing set piece are brought to cover from the games , as well as one that is brand new that we wish we could know ourselves in a succeeding biz . The film is nothing amazing , but it is a play adventure just like the secret plan .
5. A Minecraft Movie
There ’s no doubt thatA Minecraft Movieis democratic , given the fact it is based on one of the most democratic game of all time and set a new record for a video game movie opening weekend . That said , for anyone but kids who have intercourse everything about the blocky sandpit secret plan , the moving picture itself is very flavorless and secure . It sees four character from our public thrust into theMinecraftworld . Using the power of creativity , they postulate to overwhelm an evil scoundrel and happen a elbow room home . There are a few good joke , the plot mold without any surprises or greater messages , and it does n’t outstay its welcome . Adults wo n’t need to pull their fuzz out watching it , but it is n’t one of those movies child and adults will both love .
6. Tomb Raider
Angelina Jolie star in two big - budget Tomb Raider film as titular hero Lara Croft in 2001 and 2003 , but these leaned into the cheesy element that specify former telecasting games . When Alicia Vikander took over the role for 2018 ’s Tomb Raider , it was the rebooted , down - to - earth 2013 gamethat assist as root stuff .
A few of the film ’s most agonizing moments were pull directly from the game , but this was done in a way that felt instinctive and fitting for the moving picture rather than mere lover help . Vikander fit perfectly into the theatrical role of Lara Croft , and she was join by the always entertaining Walton Goggins as villain Mathias Vogel .
7. Rampage
Dwayne “ The Rock ” Johnson appears in more than one of the film on our tilt , butRampageis likely the one he ’ll want his audience to remember the most . Based on the classical Midway ogre arcade plot series , it ’s just as ridiculous as it needs to be to persist entertaining .
An tremendous Gorilla gorilla is joined by a bizarre wolf - similar goliath and a ocean creature as they cause havoc in a city filled with skyscraper to climb and destroy , and only Johnson can put a stop to the madness before it ’s too deep . It ’s brightness level on memorable dialogue or storytelling , but it ’s obtuse fun from begin to finish .
8. Sonic the Hedgehog
The deck was stack againstSonic the Hedgehogfrom the very beginning . The video game serial has been mediocre at best in recent years , and foot now to release a new moving picture feel like a despairing cash grab . When the first trailer revealed a disturbing design for transonic himself , the net nauseate , leading to Paramount Pictures really delay the picture show to amply redesign the character .
The hold bear off in a crowing way , as the new transonic design resemble the game reference and had fans optimistic for the final film . That film was made with a younger audience in psyche — there are several fart jest — but it ’s impart by industrious performances from James Marsden and Jim Carrey , as well as Ben Schwartz as transonic himself . References to game mechanics from the Genesis game and other famed character are certain to please ’ 90s kids looking for some nostalgic merriment , and Sonic does n’t osculate a single human woman in the whole flick .
9. Mortal Kombat
Despite its violence and gory Fatality moves , the Mortal Kombat series has always kept a sentience of humor about its seemingly endless struggle between good and evil . The originalMortal Kombatfilm directed by Paul W.S. Anderson was the only piece of alive - action Mortal Kombat media to realise this , keeping the flashy action of the games alongside its camp tonus .
Putting Christopher Lambert in the theatrical role of Raiden — spell “ Rayden ” in the film — should tell you all you need to fuck about it . Oddly , it turn back none of the gore of the video games , make water it appropriate for slightly younger viewers . It bear witness that Mortal Kombat ’s Malva sylvestris is not limited to wildness alone , and its bizarre mythos can stand on its own . The sequel , however , did n’t seem to empathize what made the first plastic film successful , and as the biz got better , the adaptations wall them , unluckily , did not .
10. Resident Evil: Damnation
The 2d film in the animated Resident malevolent film serial , Resident Evil : Damnationsets up the video gameResident Evil 6 . The animated photographic film are filled to the brim with activity , but this feeler work better than when it was done in Capcom ’s video games , which bank on elements of still tension to raise the panic attack .
fecund voice worker Matthew Mercer star in the lead function as Leon S. Kennedy , and you ’ll also see conversant faces like Ada Wong and the “ Tyrant ” monstrosity . Unlike the alive - military action film star Milla Jovovich , Resident Evil : Damnationfeels like it was make by people conversant with the source textile , treating the reference with regard rather than using them as simple window salad dressing for a story that has very little to do with the games ’ themes or setting .
11. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Among the most notable megahit video game film ever get , Prince of Persia : The Sands of Timewas an odd picture show from the very beginning . It was based on a biz serial that had already get lose popularity in favor of Ubisoft ’s newer Assassin ’s Creed games , but with an enormous budget and star topology power from Jake Gyllenhaal , it managed to be as a successful action movie in its own rightfield .
What helpedPrince of Persiasucceed where so many others have fail ? Aside from its all - lead cast , which also included Ben Kingsley , it proceed its focal point on the high up - flying stunts and gorgeous environments at the center of the secret plan series . This gave it the tolerance to vary from the source material when necessary without abandoning it outright .
12. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
net Fantasy : The spirit Withinhad the potential to always vary not just video game adaptations , but the film diligence . The CG - animated film was nothing myopic of gorgeous , blowing away longtime Final Fantasy lover who had become used to the rendered cinematics of the game on PlayStation systems . It also promised to deliver the first contrived actress with Aki Ross .
The voice plaster cast include everyone from Alec Baldwin to Steve Buscemi , but without a satisfying tale to link up it all together , it lacked the mass appeal that Square was hoping for . This did n’t stop producer from releasing aFinal Fantasy VIIcompanion film afterward down the line , but the animated movies ’ large budget and lukewarm reception made it promiscuous to see why they did n’t continue for years . After the poorly receivedKingsglaive : Final Fantasy XV , they could be dead for good .
13. Doom
If there is one affair that does n’t matter atallin the Doom enfranchisement , it ’s the story . 2016 ’s rebootedDoomgame understood that , and it even finger its nose at certain characters ’ attempt to explain what was happening . TheDoomfilm hear to make the universe horrifying or else of silly , and we were leave with something that felt very unlike the classical microcomputer shooters . It most closely resemblesDoom 3 , a secret plan that was acclaimed at the time for its expert achievement , but ultimately led to a creative roadblock for the series that would continue for over a tenner .
Dwayne Johnson turning into a devil in the film ’s closing moments was one of its few shiny points , as was a very cockamamie first - person shooting succession that was clearly included to appease the series ’ fans who were wondering why they pay off money to see the movie . A few minutes are n’t enough to hold open even mediocre movies , however , so perhapsDoomshould have gone theHardcore Henryroute and shoot the film all in first - person .
14. Warcraft
Warcraft has a long and complicated history cross multiple real - time scheme game , novels , and the mega - successfulWorld of Warcraft . The decision to adapt it to film seemed like an impossible task , butMoondirector Duncan Jones did his dependable by limiting theWarcraftfilmto the events of the original secret plan .
An tremendous clash between Orcs and Humans leave both civilisation on the brink of collapse , but with the plot jumping around so frequently , we are left with very little reasonableness to care about the zep on either side . Despite an enormous budget , it ’s also downright comical how pitiable some of the characters look . A half - Orc and half - human woman at the center of the film ’s conflict is just paint green and given tusks , while all other Orcs are computer - generate . outsized human armour that looked a little cockamamy in the games calculate even more ridiculous in the motion-picture show , undercutting some of the more spectacular moments .
15. Monster Hunter
The only thing theMonster Huntermovie had to do was give a decent ground for giant monsters to subsist and for our protagonist to need to hound them . That ’s as much as the game do , and no one complains there . Instead , we get a convoluted level of a military building block from Earth , yes our Earth , that is swept by into an alternate universe full of elephantine fiend . The only elbow room to get abode is to struggle through the monster protect a place call the Sky Tower , which is the source of the portals between the two dimensions . The movie meanders around for fashion too long in a very boring location without even a whiff of monstrosity - hunting action .
When the action mechanism does start , it does at least search decent . The colossus are big and intimidating if not a little underwhelming compare to their TV biz opposite number in terms of actual design , and there ’s a becoming amount of testimonial pay off to the generator material . The problem is , this is all backloaded into the very termination of the motion-picture show , leave a very lopsided experience .
16. Assassin’s Creed
Assassin ’s Creedtook a very different glide path thanWarcraft , but was ultimately met with a similar reception . Rather than conform one of the games , the film instead severalize an original story revolve about around an assassin ( played by Michael Fassbender ) with tie to an ancestor who live during the Spanish Inquisition period of the fifteenth century .
Fassbender starred in both role , a foreign and new approach , and an all - lead cast included player like Marion Cotillard , Jeremy Irons , and Michael K. Williams . Assassin ’s Creedwas flashy and go the tone of the series well , but it also felt altogether detach from the games ’ storylines . This resulted in something that was confusing for cosmopolitan audiences , and unnecessary for the games ’ fans .
17. Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li
The original ’ 90sStreet Fightermovie is horrendous , but it ’s nothing compared to the muss that is 2009’sStreet Fighter : The Legend of Chun - Li . The determination to take the pop fighting game franchise into a police play belike was n’t the best decision , and the worker look downright confused about how they ’re supposed to be playing their characters . Chris Klein at least has some fun overact it up as Charlie Nash , though you would n’t cognize he ’s supposed to be that character unless you hear someone address him as such . At the very least , we got Michael Clarke Duncan as Balrog , so it is n’t a total deprivation .
18. Alone in the Dark
German director Uwe Boll has become the stuff of fable for his low-spirited - budget and often embarrassing television game picture adaptations . These includePostal , House of the Dead , andBloodRayne , butAlone in the Darkstands , well , alone , as the low spot of Boll ’s vocation .
Rated as one of theworst movies of all timeon Metacritic , it ’s a horror film that does nothing we have n’t realize before , using tropes like evil spirits and a remote , creepy island . The moving-picture show is n’t memorable for its predictable plotline , but for its utter failure to execute a sentience of suspense or even a surprisal panic attack aspect .
19. Super Mario Bros.
Without the very low expectations that we now have for TV game movies , perhaps TV audience did n’t realize the mess they were walk into whenSuper Mario Bros. wasreleased in 1993 . This photographic film was such a bust because it did n’t accurately portray any of the characters , the preferences , or overall thematic authenticity that anyone who ’s play these games was expecting .
Despite conjunctive efforts from a star - studded cast of actor including Bob Hoskins , John Leguizamo , and Dennis Hopper as Bowser , Super Mario Bros.misses the Saint Mark by a long shot and degrade the enfranchisement in the process . Yoshi is turned into a horrifying monstrosity , and few other characters count remotely close to their picture biz vis-a-vis .
