Image Credit – Eugene Chystiakov
Video games have been a top entertainment source for millions of people around the world. With complex stories, well-developed characters, and engaging adventures, it’s no wonder several games have been made into movies. Fans have been eagerly anticipating film adaptations of several titles like Grand Theft Auto and Skyrim.
However, there still are several movies based on popular video games that have delighted audiences over the years. Read on to discover these gems.
Silent Hill (1999)
Silent Hill was a popular third-person survival horror game. The gameplay involved the protagonist Harry Mason encountering frightening enemies as he attempted to solve the mystery of his missing daughter after entering the foreboding town of Silent Hill.
Building on the success of the game, the 2006 movie adaptationbrought the spine-chilling world of Silent Hill to life. It depicts a woman (Radha Mitchell) who seeks the help of a faith healer, struggling with the news that her daughter does not have much time left. However, the journey takes an unexpected detour into another reality, leading them to a place called Silent Hill.
Stream Silent Hill on Sling TV
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)
Sega created Sonic as a speedy, wise-cracking character to combat the massive success of Nintendo’s Mario. The game Sonic the Hedgehog was a flagship title of the Sega Genesis system back in the early 90s.
The 2020 movie adaptation aimed to rekindle nostalgia for the game. Its plot involves Sonic who is forced to flee his world and ends up on Earth following a surprise attack. After accidentally damaging the power grid, Sonic catches the attention of the evil Dr. Robotnik. With the help of his human friends, Sonic must prevent the evil doctor from harnessing his hedgehog power and taking over the world.
Catch Sonic the Hedgehog on Paramount+
Tomb Raider (1996)
Who can forget the iconic Tomb Raider game released in the mid-90s? The series of games has been a long-running success ever since. In the game, players control the character Lara Croft and explore ancient ruins filled with traps and enemies.
The movie adaptation, released in 2018 depicts Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander) as a headstrong and determined woman who wants to discover why her father disappeared. With only a few clues to go on, she embarks on an adventure that takes her to a mysterious island.
Watch Tomb Raider on DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo
Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2016)
While many games have been based on the Pokémon franchise, a recent fan favorite, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, took players by surprise with its open-world exploration and vast array of Pokemon to collect.
The movie adaption of the Pokémon series focuses on the Pokémon Pikachu portrays a son Tim (Justice Jesse Smith) who begins searching for his veteran detective father after he vanishes. Tim gets some help on the case from his dad’s Pokémon, Pikachu who takes up the role of a detective.
Stream Pokémon Detective Pikachu on DIRECTV STREAM
Mortal Kombat (1992)
The fighting game Mortal Kombat used revolutionary digitized sprites and was notorious for its graphic violence. Players could select one of many unique characters and try to battle through to the end.
The movie Mortal Kombat, a PG-13-rated action film released in 1995 aimed to capitalize on the game’s success further. It depicts three talented martial arts fighters who must face otherworldly foes bent on taking over the world. After traveling to another dimension, the tournament with them as participants begins, where the fate of Earth hangs in the balance.
Watch Mortal Kombat on Apple TV and Redbox
Super Mario Bros (1985)
The Super Mario Bros franchise is one of the most iconic and beloved in video game history. With its colorful characters, imaginative worlds, and addictive gameplay, it has captured the hearts of gamers for decades.
The 1993 movie adaptation of Super Mario Bros aimed to bring the beloved characters of Mario and Luigi to the big screen. In a bizarre twist, the movie portrays Mario (Bob Hoskins) and Luigi (John Leguizamo) as plumbers from Brooklyn who find themselves transported to a parallel dimension ruled by the villainous King Koopa (Dennis Hopper). With the help of Princess Daisy (Samantha Mathis), they embark on a journey to save both worlds from destruction.
Though the film deviated significantly from the whimsical charm of the games, it remains a nostalgic curiosity for fans of the franchise.
Super Mario Bros is currently not available for streaming
Summary
While not every popular video game has received the Hollywood treatment, there are plenty of great choices available. The above list is only a sample of excellent video game-to-movie adaptations.
When a fantastic gaming franchise meets up with talented filmmakers, the result (usually) delights audiences. Upcoming movies such as Madden, based on the Madden NFL game series named after John Madden, the American sports commentator, and former coach of the Oakland Raiders (now called the Las Vegas Raiders), are eagerly anticipated. Minecraft and Legend of Zelda are also in the works.
Will games like Call of Duty and Fortnite also see movie adaptations? The possibilities are endless.
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Did you get the gift card?
Yes, thank you so much. I honestly trying to find out who it was from. I appreciate it so much and I just wanna say sincere thank you so much for all your support I really appreciate it thank you.
I really want to watch the Sonic movie. As a gaming family, we love the nostalgia of watching films related to the games.