Video Game Movies That Are Secretly Good (if You Ignore the Lore)

While these movies don’t always follow the original games closely, they’re well-made, action-packed, and feature enjoyable performances. Here are 25 video game adaptations you can appreciate as standalone films, with a quick mention of the game creators for context.

‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ (2020)

‘Sonic the Hedgehog,’ released in 2020, is a fun, family-friendly comedy about a road trip, starring Ben Schwartz as Sonic and Jim Carrey. Director Jeff Fowler uses impressive visual effects to showcase Sonic’s super speed in exciting chase scenes. Based on the popular video game series created by Sonic Team and published by Sega, the movie places Sonic in a small town in Montana while still including familiar elements like the power rings and the villainous Dr. Robotnik and his high-tech schemes.

‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ (2022)

The sequel to ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ brings back Sonic with his friends Tails and Knuckles, voiced by Idris Elba. The story expands with new details about the Master Emerald and takes the characters to locations around the world. While based on the ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ games created by Sonic Team and published by Sega, the movie focuses more on fun, adventurous teamwork and uses items from the games to drive the plot rather than sticking strictly to the original story.

‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu’ (2019)

‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu’ takes place in the city of Ryme, featuring remarkably realistic Pokémon designs and a mystery with a film-noir feel, starring Ryan Reynolds and Justice Smith. Director Rob Letterman combined real sets with computer-generated imagery to create exciting action on the streets. The movie is based on the ‘Detective Pikachu’ game, originally created by Creatures Inc. and published by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. While it doesn’t stick closely to the rules of Pokémon battles or the Pokédex, the film centers around a classic partnership between two detectives.

‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ (2023)

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a visually vibrant and fast-paced adventure through the Mushroom Kingdom, brought to life with energetic animation from Illumination. Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black provide the voices for the main characters, and the story is built around iconic moments from the Super Mario Bros. games, created and published by Nintendo. While the movie is full of references to power-ups, karts, and classic side-scrolling gameplay, it presents these as fun visual jokes rather than a strict recreation of the games’ levels.

‘Super Mario Bros.’ (1993)

The 1993 film ‘Super Mario Bros.’ offers a unique take on the classic story, setting Mario and Luigi as plumbers from Brooklyn in a strange, futuristic version of New York called Dinohattan. The movie stands out visually thanks to its use of puppets and real-life sets. Created by Nintendo, the film includes familiar elements like Koopa, mushrooms, and pipes, but reimagines them as quirky props and costumes rather than faithfully recreating the video game’s mechanics.

‘Mortal Kombat’ (1995)

Paul W.S. Anderson’s ‘Mortal Kombat’ movie centers around a martial arts tournament, featuring fast-paced fighting with action suitable for a PG-13 audience. The film stars Robin Shou, Linden Ashby, and Christopher Lambert. Originally created as a video game by Midway Games, the ‘Mortal Kombat’ series is now developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Games. The movie simplifies the game’s complex storylines and signature finishing moves into a straightforward series of fights.

‘Mortal Kombat’ (2021)

The 2021 ‘Mortal Kombat’ movie features a new character, Cole Young, and delivers intense, brutal fight scenes. Director Simon McQuoid highlights the training and developing conflicts between characters, especially the classic rivalry of Sub-Zero and Scorpion. The franchise started at Midway Games and now continues with NetherRealm Studios, published by Warner Bros. Games. To create more action, the movie quickly brings iconic fighters together for battles.

‘Street Fighter’ (1994)

The movie ‘Street Fighter’ transforms Capcom’s fighting game into an international rescue mission starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and the late Raul Julia. It blends action-packed military scenes with the vibrant, recognizable costumes of the game’s characters. While the ‘Street Fighter’ games are created by Capcom, the film reimagines the tournament format as a military operation, cleverly incorporating iconic fighting moves into exciting action sequences.

‘Resident Evil’ (2002)

The first ‘Resident Evil’ movie creates a tense, action-packed survival-horror story within the underground Hive, featuring dangerous laser traps and hordes of the undead. Milla Jovovich stars as Alice, a character created specifically for the film. The ‘Resident Evil’ games were made by Capcom. Rather than retelling the story of the original game’s mansion, the movie focuses on Umbrella Corporation’s technology and biological weapons as sources of suspense and thrills.

‘Resident Evil: Apocalypse’ (2004)

‘Resident Evil: Apocalypse’ shows the outbreak spreading throughout the city, focusing on the powerful enemy Nemesis and featuring exciting action. The movie introduces characters Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira from the ‘Resident Evil’ games. These games are created and released by Capcom. While borrowing elements from the Raccoon City storyline, the film tells a rescue-focused story rather than directly following the game’s plot.

‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City’ (2021)

‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City’ is a fresh start for the film series, aiming for a darker, more realistic look and concentrating on the police station and the iconic mansion. Kaya Scodelario and Robbie Amell star as Claire and Chris Redfield. The movie is based on the popular video games developed and published by Capcom. The story combines elements from the first few games, bringing together familiar locations and villains into one intense night of chaos.

‘Silent Hill’ (2006)

Christophe Gans’ ‘Silent Hill’ creates a creepy mood through thick fog, unsettling sounds, and frightening monster movements. The film stars Radha Mitchell and Sean Bean as parents desperately looking for their lost child. The ‘Silent Hill’ series comes from the game developer and publisher Konami. While the movie uses familiar images from the games, such as Pyramid Head, it changes the story to focus on a cult and shifts between different realities.

‘Tomb Raider’ (2018)

The new ‘Tomb Raider’ movie follows the more realistic style of the 2013 game, with Alicia Vikander playing a young Lara Croft. The action focuses on real stunts performed in environments like boats, cliffs, and ancient traps. The film uses elements from the 2013 game – including the organization called Trinity and the theme of survival – and blends them with island legends to create a focused, exciting story.

‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ (2001)

The film ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ features exciting archaeological adventures in locations like Cambodia and Iceland, starring Angelina Jolie as the iconic Lara Croft. It focuses on solving puzzles and searching for ancient artifacts. The original ‘Tomb Raider’ games were created by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive. While the movie captures the spirit of exploration and hidden organizations from the games, it doesn’t directly recreate the game levels.

‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ (2010)

The movie features exciting parkour-style action and a special dagger that can reverse time. Jake Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton star in an adventurous journey through desert landscapes. Developed and published by Ubisoft, the film draws from the rich story of ‘Prince of Persia,’ condensing the tale of the Vizier and the Sands into a focused story of a daring robbery and a chance at forgiveness.

‘Warcraft’ (2016)

The movie ‘Warcraft’ brings the world of Azeroth to life with impressive computer-generated orcs and a focus on human political struggles. Starring Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, and Toby Kebbell, the cast is divided between opposing sides. Developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment, the film simplifies the complex history of the ‘Warcraft’ games by focusing on the events of the First War to create a straightforward story.

‘Uncharted’ (2022)

The movie ‘Uncharted’ is an action-adventure filled with treasure hunts, exciting stunts involving planes and ships, and stars Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg. Director Ruben Fleischer uses familiar action sequences and visual jokes seen in other films. The movie is based on the popular ‘Uncharted’ video game series created by Naughty Dog and published by Sony. It tells the story of how the main character, Drake, first got started on his adventures, taking pieces from throughout the game series to create his origin story.

‘Need for Speed’ (2014)

The movie, starring Aaron Paul and Imogen Poots, focuses on realistic driving and preparing for long-distance races. It’s packed with exciting supercar chases filmed with very little computer-generated imagery. Published by Electronic Arts, the ‘Need for Speed’ games have been created by different development teams, including Ghost Games and Criterion Games. Instead of trying to mimic career modes or typical racing events, the story centers around a high-stakes revenge race.

‘Hitman’ (2007)

The game ‘Hitman’ puts players in the role of Agent 47 as he travels across Europe, completing missions that heavily feature sniping and disguises. Timothy Olyphant portrays Agent 47 as a precise and efficient operative. Developed by IO Interactive and previously published by companies like Eidos Interactive and Square Enix, the series is now self-published by IO Interactive. The game’s missions are designed around a central, unfolding conspiracy storyline.

‘Hitman: Agent 47’ (2015)

I’m really excited about this new Hitman movie! It feels like they’re leaning into the science side of things, with a lot of focus on genetic engineering, and the action is super intense – think brutal fights in tight spaces. Rupert Friend is fantastic as Agent 47. The movie takes you all over the place, with thrilling chases happening in both Berlin and Singapore. For those who don’t know, the Hitman games were originally made by IO Interactive, and published by companies like Eidos and Square Enix before IO started publishing themselves. This movie feels different from the games though; it’s more about big, explosive set pieces than carefully planning everything out in a sandbox style.

‘Assassin’s Creed’ (2016)

The latest ‘Assassin’s Creed’ story features a new main character who experiences the past through a device called the Animus. Starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, the film jumps between present-day Spain and the historical Spanish Inquisition. Developed and published by Ubisoft, the movie portrays the age-old conflict between Assassins and Templars as a self-contained plot, rather than directly adapting one of the games.

‘Rampage’ (2018)

The movie ‘Rampage’ takes the classic arcade game and turns it into a monster movie starring Dwayne Johnson. The climax features massive, city-destroying battles in Chicago. While the original ‘Rampage’ game focused on players causing destruction for points, the film explains the giant creatures as the result of a failed scientific experiment by a corporation.

‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ (2023)

This movie combines the creepy atmosphere of haunted arcades with a story about a night security guard, played by Josh Hutcherson. It heavily features animatronic creatures brought to life through a mix of practical puppetry and visual effects. The film is based on the ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ series, originally created and released online by Scott Cawthon, and later through his company, ScottGames. The complex backstory of the game series is simplified into a single night’s worth of mystery, with subtle references to the game’s hidden lore.

‘Gran Turismo’ (2023)

The movie ‘Gran Turismo’ tells the inspiring true story of a gamer who becomes a real race car driver, directed by Neill Blomkamp. The film puts you right in the driver’s seat with immersive racing scenes that highlight the details of each track. While based on the popular ‘Gran Turismo’ video game series created by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony, the movie isn’t a direct adaptation of the game’s story, but rather a biographical sports drama inspired by the spirit of the franchise.

‘Monster Hunter’ (2020)

The movie ‘Monster Hunter’ features action-packed hunts in desert landscapes, with creatures that hide under the sand. Milla Jovovich and Tony Jaa star in the film, which showcases huge weapons and creature designs inspired by the popular ‘Monster Hunter’ video game series, created by Capcom. While the games are known for complex crafting, the movie focuses more on the characters’ survival skills and teamwork.

Share which of these films worked for you—lore be damned—in the comments!

2025-11-20 01:52