20 Great Movies Based on Video Games

Video game adaptations have evolved dramatically over the years, moving from niche experiments to global box-office hits. Whether you're a longtime gamer or a casual movie fan, these films highlight how gaming culture continues to influence mainstream entertainment. If you're into gaming history, you might also enjoy our coverage of the unreleased NES version of SimCity or our Atari 7800+ preview.

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Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Kingsley, Gemma Arterton, and Alfred Molina, this action-fantasy adaptation blends drama, humor, and adventure. It earned roughly $336.4 million worldwide and remains one of the more successful early video game movies.

Tron: Legacy (2010)

Studio: Walt Disney Productions

The original 1982 Tron inspired a popular arcade game, and decades later, its cult status helped fuel this visually upgraded sequel. Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner return, while cutting-edge effects helped the film reach $400 million globally. Fans of retro gaming might also appreciate our OpenEmu BIOS Pack guide.

Pixels (2015)

Studios: Columbia Pictures; Sony Pictures

Not based on one specific game, but packed with icons like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Galaga, and Q*Bert. Adam Sandler and Kevin James lead this comedic alien-invasion story where classic arcade characters attack Earth.

The Angry Birds Movie (2016) & The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)

Studios: Sony Pictures; Columbia Pictures

These animated family films bring the birds-versus-pigs rivalry to the big screen. With voice talent from Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, and Bill Hader, the two films combined for more than $534 million worldwide.

Rampage (2018)

Studio: New Line Cinema

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars in this sci-fi action film inspired by the classic arcade game. Giant mutated creatures wreak havoc, and the movie smashed its way to more than $428 million globally.

Tomb Raider (2018)

Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Alicia Vikander takes over the role of Lara Croft in this reboot centered on her father’s disappearance. Fans remain split between Vikander and Angelina Jolie, but the film earned stronger critical reception than the earlier sequel.

Detective Pikachu (2019)

Studio: Legendary Pictures

The first live-action Pokémon movie stars Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu, teaming with Tim Goodman to solve a mystery. With $450.1 million in box-office revenue, it’s one of the highest-grossing video game films ever.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) & Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

Studio: Paramount Pictures

Sonic’s big-screen debut pairs him with Sheriff Tom Wachowski (James Marsden) as they battle Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Both films surpassed $320 million each and rank among the top-grossing video game movies. A third installment arrives December 2024. If you're a console fan, check out our PS5 vs. Xbox Series X graphics comparison.

Mortal Kombat (2021)

Studio: New Line Cinema

This modern reboot delivers updated visuals, intense martial arts, and a fresh take on the franchise. Released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max, it earned $84 million worldwide.

Werewolves Within (2021)

Studio: IFC Films

Based on the lesser-known Ubisoft game, this horror-comedy follows a small Vermont town facing a possible werewolf threat. Milana Vayntrub stars in a film that earned surprising praise from both fans and critics.

Uncharted (2022)

Studios: Columbia Pictures; Sony Pictures

Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg lead this treasure-hunting adventure inspired by the hit PlayStation series. As of late 2024, it ranks as the fifth-highest-grossing video game movie with $407.1 million worldwide. If you're a PlayStation fan, you might also like our Nintendo Switch accessories guide or our budget gaming PC build.

Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)

Studio: Universal Pictures

The massively popular horror franchise comes to life with Josh Hutcherson as a troubled security guard facing possessed animatronics. A hit with younger fans, the film blends suspense with supernatural intrigue.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

Studio: Universal Pictures

After the 1993 flop, Nintendo returned with a fully animated reboot featuring Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, and more. The gamble paid off: the film earned $1.36 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing video game movie ever. Mario fans may also enjoy our Legend of Zelda speed completion plan.

Tetris (2023)

Studio: Apple TV+

A biographical drama about the Cold War–era battle to secure rights to the iconic puzzle game. Taron Egerton stars as Henk Rogers in this gripping behind-the-scenes story.

Gran Turismo (2023)

Studios: Sony Pictures; Columbia Pictures

This biopic follows Jann Mardenborough, a teenage gamer who becomes a real-life professional racer. Praised for its racing sequences and direction by Neill Blomkamp, the film blends true events with high-speed spectacle.

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Final Thoughts

From animated blockbusters to dramatic biopics, video game movies have become a diverse and successful genre. If you're looking to dive deeper into gaming culture, explore our full Gaming archive for retro guides, console breakdowns, and hardware recommendations.