Even 10 years ago, this would have been a very short list. Film and TV adaptations of games have historically been huge failures, but in recent years the quality has begun to improve. In 2024, some of the biggest movies and shows will be based on video games, and many more are coming out now. Whether you're looking for something fun for the whole family or a gripping adult drama, there's a video game movie or show for you.
With that in mind, we thought now was the perfect time to rank the best video game movies and TV shows of all time. First, I'd like to introduce my favorite movies based on games.
Top 5 Best Video Game Movies of All Time
1. werewolf inside (2021)
You've probably never heard of VR social deduction games. werewolf inside, but the movie based on this game is arguably the most successful video game adaptation of all time. True, this is largely due to the fact that the very funny actors spend their hour and a half accusing each other of being werewolves, getting fooled one by one, but in some cases, the most Sometimes simple premises create the most effective stories.
2. detective pikachu (2019)
A live-action adaptation may never materialize. Pokemon It's a movie about a trainer becoming the best trainer, and the next best movie is Detective Pikachu. Ryan Reynolds will play the lead Pokémon alongside Justice Smith, who plays Tim Goodman, a former aspiring Pokémon trainer who searches for his missing father. Pokemon movie fans may not have been expecting it, but it was the first live-action adaptation of the popular Pokemon.
3. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
of Sonic the hedgehog The movie has grossed over $700 million at the box office and could top $1 billion next year. sonic the hedgehog 3 It will be released in theaters in December this year.
They may not be the most original or profound adaptations, but sonic The film is colorful, fast-paced, and fun, just as the title character always is. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 It's a modest step up from the previous film, starring Idris Elba as the villainous echidna Knuckles. But it's the dynamic between James Marsden's heroic Tom Wachowski, Jim Carrey's goofy Dr. Robotnik, and Ben Schwartz, the voice of Sonic, that really holds everything together.
Four. Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (2010)
This may seem like it came out of left field, but I actually saw it Prince of Persia: Sands of TimeThe movie starring none other than Jake Gyllenhaal was in theaters and we had a great time. Gyllenhaal plays a street urchin named Dastan who becomes the king's adopted son.
If you can ignore the mediocre script and cast shenanigans (these are solid reasons to pretend this movie never existed), there are plenty of great action scenes and great actors to keep you entertained for hours.
Five. super mario bros movie (2022)
To be honest, there was quite a bit of competition for the 5th place spot. mortal kombat and five nights at freddy'sbut super mario bros movie An impressive achievement, no doubt. For a game series with a minimal story, this adaptation manages to imbue the character with an actual personality, with some thrilling animated sequences that could pave the way for Nintendo's better films. I hope.
Top 5 Video Game Shows of All Time
1. difficult to understand (2021-present)
meanwhile Arcane's connection to league of legends is a little more subtle, but there was no question about its inclusion on this list. Drawing characters from the popular Riot Games MOBA, co-creators Alex Yee and Christian Linke… game of thrones or Avatar: The Last Airbender, full of political intrigue, family drama, kingdoms at war, and characters you can't help rooting for.No other video game movie or show can match this difficult to understand That's why we're so excited for season 2 so far.
2. Castlevania Dracula (2017-2021)
At the premiere in 2017, Castlevania Dracula Audience expectations for video game adaptations on Netflix have quietly changed forever.You may have noticed Castlevania Dracula is one of the oldest entries here, and that's no coincidence. What was supposed to be a tedious nostalgia-fueled chore is instead a thoughtful take on his 2D characters (both literally and figuratively) from classic video games, beautifully animated by Mua Film and Tiger Animation. It was a deep and thrilling exploration.
It all begins with a terrifying tale of revenge. The vampire Dracula vows revenge on the people of Wallachia who burned his human wife at the stake. Trevor Belmont, the last surviving member of the Monster Hunter family, and his friends stand between Dracula and the destruction of humanity. How about that as a premise!
3. the last of us (2023-present)
HBO the last of us Find the closest match to a 1:1 adaptation on this list. Although there are some significant deviations from the original (including his one of the best television episodes of the past decade), the last of us Mirroring the game of the same name, it follows a smuggler named Joel on his quest to escort a young girl named Ellie across a post-apocalyptic United States with the potential to save the world. Strong performances from Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey help overcome the more lackluster parts of season one.
Four. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)
game cyberpunk 2077 While they may not have been ready for prime time when they started airing in 2020, the same can't be said for anime spinoff shows. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Set in Night City a year before the events of the game, it follows a talented teenager named David Martinez who turns to a life of crime after losing everything in a drive-by shooting. Stunning visuals by animation studio Trigger bring this dark and brutal tale to life.
Five. fall out (2023-present)
prime video's fall out The series actually takes place within the same continuity as the games, but tells a new story with a new set of characters. As with Jonathan Nolan's previous shows, westworldthis adaptation fall out It revolves around a series of mysteries. Who is behind the nuclear apocalypse? Decades later, what is really happening in the vault where the survivors remain? Will one of my favorite characters hold all the fingers?
The violence and gore is over the top, but the performances from stars Ella Purnell, Walton Goggins, and Aaron Moten are enough to ground an otherwise unrecognizable wild world. The latest proof that bringing games to life is no fool's errand.
