Video games and movies have always gone hand in hand! Since the dawn of video games, movie producers have taken inspiration from the plot lines and inserted them into movies.
On the flip side, there have been plenty of ideas that started off as movies and then were transferred into a video games. Think of Transformers- it was a hugely successful movie that was turned into a video game!
When movies are turned into video games, it allows the consumer to take part in the action. It allows normal people to feel like they’re a part of their favorite movie.
On the flip side, when video games are turned into movies, it allows the characters to really develop their own storylines. It gives consumers a look into their favorite characters.
Whether you’re a die-hard horror game fan who enjoys gore or a former Nintendo kid looking for something entertaining for family movie night, the finest video game movies have something for everyone.
Turning films into games is not uncommon. It has been going on for a long time.
We have seen some of the major films made into video games, PC games, and even slots at online casinos, only to extend these films’ popularity in the entertainment industry.
Hopefully, the age of low-budget spin-offs will be over thanks to a new generation of filmmakers who grew up playing video games, with major studios spending time and resources on giving gaming worlds the adaptations they deserve.
Whatever video games you enjoy playing, there is a film on this list that will make you want to put down the controller and get some popcorn. Here are our top seven…Enjoy!
Top 7 Movies That Were Inspired by Video Games
Uncharted
First up on our list of video game movies is Uncharted. After years and years of development setbacks and speculations, the Uncharted film starring Tom Holland finally came out in 2022 with a baby-faced Nathan Drake.
It’s not perfect; in fact, what the movie did to Chloe Frazier’s character is probably a war crime, but it has a lot of charm, and there are a few scenes that so perfectly capture the essence of the game that you’ll find yourself reaching instinctively for your PlayStation controller.
Sully yet Holland carries the entire film on his impressively chiseled shoulders, spouting comebacks like he was born to it, thanks to his charm and athletic stunt skill, which he honed with a little aid from his position as Spider-Man.
Warcraft
Next up on our list of movies is Warcraft.
Hollywood was waiting to pick up World of Warcraft. Blizzard’s crown jewel, which has been dismissed as Lord of the Rings-lite, is brimming with backstory, all of which is overseen by indie star Duncan Jones.
With $433 million in sales as of this writing, it is not only the best-performing video game adaptation of all time, but it also chooses to elevate the Warcraft universe.
A video game movie that isn’t afraid to gamble, throw a huge budget at an acclaimed director, and just let him run wild with the world is still an outlier in the video game movie world.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Up next is a video game series you have definitely heard of before!
Sonic the Hedgehog as a movie’s early signals weren’t promising. Initial concepts for the blue figure received a poor reception from fans, prompting the producers to start over digitally.
When the film was finally released this year, Jim Carrey’s hammy portrayal of Dr. Robotnik and Ben Schwartz’s passionate voice-over performance won over moviegoers.
To avoid Robotnik and find Sonic’s fabled rings, the movie follows Sonic and a sheriff from Montana. There are already planned sequels.
Assassin’s Creed
Next up on our list of video game movies is another extremely popular one.
Assassin’s Creed has the impression of being the first video game movie to catch the public’s attention.
With a captivating perspective on the ongoing conflict between the Creed and the Templar Order, Assassin’s Creed tried to put an end to the idea that some things are unusual or only for a particular audience.
Assassin’s Creed has a star-studded cast that includes Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, and Michael K. Williams.
The impressive-looking Animus adventure in 15th-century Spain and the parkour-heavy aesthetic that pays respect to the series give the film real authenticity without going overboard with fan service.
Tomb Raider
Tomb Raider gives us a newly vulnerable Lara and a film that, while it doesn’t quite break out into an all-time great action flick, is a welcome homage to one of the better games of its generation.
Alicia Vikander portrays a Lara who is full of life and, oddly, a figure who seems more at home in London than robbing the tombs of a lost kingdom, even though the movie plays on the games rather than taking direct inspiration from them.
Tomb Raider undoubtedly represents a turning point for video game movies: no longer satisfied to remain in the background, this is a star-studded entry that might pave the way for even more video game treasures in the future, especially in the upcoming Ben Wheatley-directed sequel.
Fast Five
The racing video game was inspired by the 5th movie of the Fast & Furious franchise. It hit 81 on Metacritic and it’s a must for film lovers, as it adds bits of the movie to the actual game.
It also has a great career mode and an online multiplayer mode for up to ten players. Developed by Gameloft, Android, iOS, J2ME and MacOS users can play it.
Resident Evil
We couldn’t leave out this one! Six films make up Resident Evil’s filmography, making it difficult to select one as a sure thing for this list.
They range from the original and (probably) greatest to the clumsy effort Afterlife. For good reason—the focus is on the action—it is concise and just skims the surface of Resi’s expansive lore.
The set-pieces are plenty, and Milla Jovovich is superb in her part as Alice (and, we believe that she doesn’t get enough credit for it).
Another noteworthy aspect is that it hints at sequels and expansive universes, long after Iron Man first learned about the Avengers Initiative. Well worth seeing again.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a die-hard video game lover or just a casual player, it’s nice to see the inspiration behind popular movies.
In fact, it’s interesting to see how popular movie ideas originated on video game consoles. Movies that you thought were original may actually have come from video games, and vice versa!
If you’re interested in getting more involved in video games, you should check out our guide on becoming a better player. That way, the next time you play Tomb Raider, you can improve your skills!
These video game movies will inspire you to go and have a family movie night and then play on the console! Perhaps this will inspire you to play more video games and watch more movies.
For the movie and video game lovers in your life, check out this article on why you should support them. It’s an amazing hobby to have!
It takes a lot of skills to become good at video games. When they are turned into movies, it’s like taking the pressure off the player and they can just watch the story unfold. When movies are turned into video games, people can feel more involved.
