Video games and movies are both popular forms of entertainment widely used by many people worldwide. But what if these two entertainment mediums were combined? Well, that’s exactly what’s been happening in recent years as filmmakers have turned to some of the best computer games as inspiration for their movies. If you have a favorite video game you cannot get enough of, watching them on the big screen might be a dream come true.
In this blog post, we are going to share popular computer games that turned into blockbuster movies. Of course, you’ll be able to watch most of these films on well-known streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Dish TV, and Disney Plus. Let’s begin!
Here are some popular computer games turned into movies
Super Mario Bros
The Super Mario Bros. movie started 2023 with a bang. Starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo, Nintendo took another attempt to make a Mario movie with Illumination animation studio — the company behind the success of the Minions movie. This movie was just released last April 5, and it earned $377 million worldwide only in the first five days of showing.
Just like any other adaptation, there were many critics. However, for fans of the classic video game series, seeing their favorite characters brought to life on the big screen was a thrilling experience. The movie’s success at the box office also shows that there is still a lot of interest in video game adaptations, despite some previous disappointments.
Warcraft
Warcraft is a legendary computer game about the battle between orcs and humans. Players are immersed in the fantasy world of Azeroth, where they can choose to play as either an orc or a human, each with their own unique abilities and storylines.
In 2016, director Duncan Jones brought this world to life in the Warcraft movie, starring Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, and Ben Foster. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the movie was a hit in China, where it grossed over $220 million, making it the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic is the ever-popular anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who can run at the speed of sound. Sonic uses his superpower to fight a mad scientist, Dr. Robotnik, who turns animals into robots. Sonic the Hedgehog finally made it to the big screen in 2020 through a live-action movie starring James Marsden and Jim Carrey.
The movie was a huge success, grossing over $319 million worldwide. Fans of the video game series were thrilled to see Sonic brought to life with stunning visual effects, and the movie received praise for its humor and heart. The film even set a new record for the biggest opening weekend for a movie based on a video game. It was shortly followed by a sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
This film has been loved by many, which is why many streaming platforms have it in their content library, such as Sling TV, Netflix, and Hulu.
Tomb Raider
Tomb Raider is a timeless video game about the adventures of an archaeologist named Lara Croft. She travels around the world to look for ancient treasures and artifacts while facing various dangers and a whole lot of obstacles. This game has been around since 1996 and has seen numerous adaptations, including a blockbuster movie franchise.
The 2001 movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starred Angelina Jolie in the titular role and grossed over $274 million worldwide — and was followed by a sequel in 2003. Many people still watch the first Tomb Raider movie; that’s why many no contract TV still have this movie available for watching.
Resident Evil
Resident Evil is a popular survival horror video game series created by Capcom. The game follows different characters as they navigate their way through zombie-infested environments, uncovering the dark secrets of the Umbrella Corporation.
The Resident Evil movie franchise has been a huge success, with six films released between 2002 and 2016. The franchise has even grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film series based on a video game. While all the movies differ from the games in terms of story and characters, they still show many of the iconic creatures and elements from the games, pleasing both fans and casual watchers.
Final Thoughts
Playing computer games is surely one of the best ways to relax and have fun. But it’s also fun to see our beloved characters come to life through films. While adaptations aren’t always successful, there are a handful of video game movies that made it to the spotlight for a good reason. So, give these movies a try and take a trip down memory lane!
