Gaming-inspired films are usually interesting, to say the least. They often get a bad rap for being low-quality flops (which has certainly been the case with some movies) but there are more than a handful of incredible, gaming-inspired films out there too. As gaming has grown in prevalence, so too has the wonderful world of gaming movies, giving us plenty of films to both laugh at when it goes wrong and cherish when done right.
Today, we will take a look at many of the most notable gaming-inspired films, going over the flops, the hits and the in-betweens. Let’s get straight into it.
The hits
Turning a video game into a movie is no easy feat. Video games are interactive and immersive, letting players explore worlds, shape outcomes and form emotional connections with characters in ways that films often can’t replicate. Of course, the opposite is also true – making a game about a movie is no walk in the park, either. From iconic scenes in the Alien franchise that were referenced in 2014’s Alien Isolation to the character of Lego Star Wars, success stories do happen, but they are few and far between.
Despite these challenges, a few gaming-inspired films have managed to break through, finding a winning formula by capturing the essence of the games while also creating a compelling story for the big screen.
One of the biggest success stories has to be Sonic the Hedgehog (2020). After a rocky start with a disastrous first trailer that sent fans into uproar, the studio went back to the drawing board and made significant changes to Sonic’s design. The result? A massive hit that delighted fans and newcomers alike.
The film captured the playful spirit of the game, offering plenty of nostalgia while also telling an engaging story, with some standout performances from the cast, including Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik. It was successful enough to warrant a sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), which further solidified Sonic’s place as one of the few gaming adaptations that really work.
Then, there’s 2019’s Detective Pikachu, a film that proved that even the most unexpected gaming concepts could shine on the big screen. Based on the Pokémon franchise, the movie fused a clever mystery plot with adorable, lifelike Pokémon in a way that thrilled audiences. Ryan Reynolds’ voice acting as Pikachu was the film’s highlight, and while it could have easily gone the way of many other flops, it instead became a commercial and critical success.
No list discussing the best gaming-inspired movies would be complete without the inclusion of 1995’s Casino. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film explores the complex underbelly of casinos, culminating in a fantastic plot and storyline that many consider to be a masterpiece. The star-studded cast featuring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci also helped to charm reviewers and spectators. Captivating films like this can inspire an audience to engage with casinos and iGaming, especially those who are already fans. Poker has often had an air of elegance, mainly due to how it’s portrayed in films, and on askgamblers.com you can find the best places to play online poker from the comfort of your own home. With great films and access to online platforms, we can recreate the excitement of our favorite scenarios seen on the big screen.
Then, there’s Arcane (2021), based on League of Legends. While technically a series rather than a film, its stunning visuals, rich storytelling and deep character development made it a massive hit across a wide audience – including fans of the game and those new to the League of Legends universe.
The flops
Unfortunately, not all gaming-inspired films have fared so well. In fact, many have gone down in flames, disappointing fans and leaving a bad taste in the mouths of moviegoers. Some of these films flopped because they strayed too far from the game’s story or aesthetic, while others simply didn’t work as films, regardless of their connection to gaming.
Perhaps one of the most infamous flops is 1993’s Super Mario Bros. One of the first attempts to bring a video game to the big screen, this film was a chaotic mess that seemed to have little to do with its source material. Instead of the colorful, fun world of the Mario games, audiences were treated to a dark, dystopian and confusing film that felt completely out of touch with the spirit of the game. It’s now often regarded as a cautionary tale for filmmakers looking to adapt video games.
Assassin’s Creed (2016) was another high-profile failure. The game series was beloved for its intricate plots, rich historical settings and compelling gameplay, but the film, starring Michael Fassbender, failed to capture any of that magic. Critics slammed the movie for its incoherent plot and dull pacing, and despite its star-studded cast and big budget, it became a box-office disappointment.
Another notable flop is Runner Runner, released in 2013. Starring Ben Affleck, Justin Timberlake, Gemma Arterton, this story following a student who becomes a victim of a scam while playing online poker had everything going for it. However, an underwhelming, predictable plot and poor performances led to luke-warm reviews.
2005’s Doom, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, was another big-budget adaptation that fell flat. Based on the popular first-person shooter series, the film tried to mix action and horror but failed to do either well. Instead, it was a generic and uninspired sci-fi action flick that bore little resemblance to the heart-pounding thrills of the game. Despite the star power and fanbase, it bombed at the box office and did nothing to further the reputation of gaming-inspired films.
Last but not least for the flops, we have to mention 21, released in 2008. Despite having a star-studded cast, 21 received a poor reception from its main audience, casino fans, thanks to the glamorization of cheating at casinos.
The okay-ish
Some gaming-inspired movies sit somewhere in between, not quite hits but not complete disasters, either. These films tend to divide audiences – some enjoy the adaptation, while others think it misses the mark.
Take Tomb Raider (2018), for example. It wasn’t a smash hit but it performed reasonably well at the box office and was generally well received. Alicia Vikander brought a new level of grit to the iconic character of Lara Croft, but while the film was praised for its action sequences and character portrayal, it couldn’t quite escape the long shadow cast by its game predecessors. The film was decent but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.
Another film that fits into this category is Warcraft (2016). Based on the wildly successful game series, fans had high expectations for Warcraft, and although visually stunning, it was criticized for being overly complicated and inaccessible to those unfamiliar with the games. It found success in international markets, particularly in China, but failed to make the same impact in the United States.
Conclusion
The films we featured here are some of the most notable gaming-inspired movies because they either experienced huge success or flopped terribly. We also covered a few that were somewhere in between. The reality is that there are many other gaming-inspired films out there – you’d be surprised just how many times the crossover has been attempted.
This is especially the case in recent years, now that gaming has become such a profitable industry. As we move into the future, we can expect to see more gaming-inspired movies enter the fray, for better or for worse.
