The 15 best video game movies

• 

  Opinion

  The 15 worst video game movies of all time

  by Philipp Rüegg

Werewolves Within, 2021

Very few people will remember Ubisoft’s VR original. Nevertheless, it serves as the basis for this film adaptation of the same name. In the multiplayer title, you’re tasked with unmasking a werewolf. Similarly, the movie follows a mysterious monster lurking around a snowed-in backwater town. A forest ranger (Sam Richardson) teams up with the local mail carrier (Milana Vayntrub) to solve the case. A classic whodunnit, featuring surprising twists and a great setting that’s perfect for curling up in front of the TV.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3, 2024

Even though the original Sonic design featuring real human teeth was canned after the first trailer, the image is likely still giving many people nightmares. Three blockbuster hits later, the filmmakers can chalk it up as a clever marketing move. In fact, against all odds, all three films are really good. Entertaining plots, a main character with tons of personality and a zany Jim Carrey as the villainous Robotnik.

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, 2019

This movie is wonderfully entertaining, even to someone who isn’t into Pokémon. Not least because Pikachu, that little yellow furball, is voiced by Ryan Reynolds. He’s completely out of place; and that’s exactly why he’s perfect. Still, the electric mouse usually remains mute, occasionally chirping in with a «Pika, Pika». In the film, he helps out 21-year-old insurance agent Tim Goodman, who wants to get to the bottom of his father’s death. And while the big twist is more predictable than the film’s box office success, the creative antics exhibited by various Pokémon are sure to elicit plenty of laughs. Three words: Mr Mime interrogation.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie, 2023

Objectively, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is basically a ninety-minute ad for Nintendo. But as a fan, I still can’t help enjoying all the references, sound effects and beautiful animations. I’ll even forgive Chris Pratt’s Mario for being an absolute snooze-fest. The red plumber still works. After all, he’s achieved almost everything during his 41-year career – except for developing a personality. To that end, Mario gets some high-profile help from Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Charlie Day as Luigi and, above all, Jack Black as Bowser.

A Minecraft Movie, 2025

You’re better off leaving your brain at the cinema entrance before watching the Minecraft movie. The story’s completely ridiculous from start to finish, and I’ve long since forgotten who the main character is. In my eyes, it’s Jack Black and Jason Momoa. As Minecraft Steve and Garrett «The Garbage Man» Garrison, a former champion gamer, they make for a wonderfully silly duo.

The Angry Birds Movie 2, (2019)

Speaking of flying, here’s Angry Birds. The first adaptation of the former mobile gaming sensation was mediocre at best. This makes the sequel all the more surprising. In it, the Angry Birds befriend their arch-enemies, the Green Pigs. Together, they face a new threat. Similar to Minions, but with more dialogue – not any deeper, though.

Resident Evil, 2002

Resident Evil movies spread faster than the T-virus. By now, there are almost as many films as there are games. And the quality seems to decline with almost every new instalment. To me, the first one is still the best. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, it has Milla Jovovich team up with Michelle Rodriguez to stop a zombie outbreak. True, if it weren’t for a few terms like Raccoon City, Umbrella Corporation or T-Virus, I wouldn’t know that I’m watching an adaptation of Capcom’s cult series. The main character’s called Alice. Who the F*** is Alice? Never mind. I know Milla and Paul, and they both know how to do this sort of thing.

Silent Hill, 2006

To this day, I haven’t finished a single Silent Hill game. If I had to describe what it’s about, I’d say fog, creepy nurses, a monster with a pyramid head and, of course, the eponymous city. It appears the filmmakers behind Silent Hill only had a vague understanding as well. Luckily, this lack of knowledge about the game didn’t have a negative impact on the film this time. Silent Hill impressed me with its eerie imagery, well-timed jump scares and Sean Bean, who for once doesn’t do what he always does.

Five Nights at Freddy’s, 2023

In Five Nights at Freddy’s – the game – you stare at security cameras and try to stop animatronic characters from getting into your office and killing you. Few would expect that a series consisting mainly of jump scares actually hides a complex story. But that’s precisely what inspired the film adaptation.

Gran Turismo, 2023

Gran Turismo features a complex plot too, and here it is: car go vroom. But since even the densest viewers would find that too thin, the creators based the film on a true story: to counter declining sales, Nissan founded the GT Academy, where Gran Turismo players are trained to become real race car drivers. The drama’s wrapped up in a pleasantly cheesy package, with a few highlights in store. Wonderful popcorn cinema.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

Before Jake Gyllenhaal – or «jilenhaal», as he once pronounced the original Swedish name to Conan O’Brien – became a superstar, he was best known as the depressed nerd in Donnie Darko. The fact that, years later, he landed the lead role in the film adaptation of one of Ubisoft’s best games was fascinating enough of a transformation for me to check out. The Sands of Time is a shallow yet entertaining adventure film in the style of The Mummy. It may never quite capture the charm of Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, but as far as video game adaptations go, it was a revelation after the Max Payne debacle.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

We don’t have to debate why Angelina Jolie was the perfect choice for Lara Croft in 2001 – it was definitely just her acting talent that drew lads like me to the movies. No other reason. To my surprise, though, the movie really delivers. This female version of Indiana Jones embarks on a fantastic adventure in search of a rare artefact, taking her around the globe. There are plenty of cool one-liners, acrobatic stunts and plenty to feast your eyes on. Sights – I’m talking about the gorgeous sights.

Rampage, 2018

Rampage is an ’80s arcade game in which you play a giant monster, demolishing skyscrapers and punching helicopters. It’s the most fun with two players, since you can beat each other up. Like most games from back then, it’s monotonous and modest, but I loved it. The film adaptation starring Dwayne Johnson is just as simplistic. I won’t even bother wasting your time with the story – partly because I can’t remember a thing. There are giant monsters that destroy things and plenty of corny one-liners to go alongside. What more could you want?

Mortal Kombat, 1995

Paul W. S. Anderson’s next project is certainly something. Few other movies ride the wave of trashiness better than the first Mortal Kombat. Loud techno bangers, costumes my kids could wear for carnival and special effects that we laughed at even back then. It all sounds like a candidate for my list of shame. But unlike Uwe Boll, who loves taking just as many liberties with video games, Anderson manages to capture the essence of the source material.

Bad, but still good

As a bonus, here are four more video game films that I never get tired of watching, even though they’re objectively bad.

Street Fighter, 1994

While Mortal Kombat successfully walks the fine line between trash and style, Street Fighter is more unintentionally funny. Those ridiculous outfits could just as easily have come from one of my costume party birthdays. And the fights are usually so slow that even I could reenact them. And then there’s Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile. It drags a bit at times, but I’ll definitely rewatch it before the remake starring Jason Momoa and his gaggle of fighters hits theatres.

Doom, 2005

Dwayne Johnson and Karl Urban travel to Mars as part of a special operations team. There, they discover that a chromosome capable of turning humans into monsters has been extracted from a fossil. Unfortunately, there’s no a gateway to Hell like in the game. But even so, the movie remains hellishly trashy. There’s a BFG (Big F*cking Gun), a scientist named Carmack (like the legendary game developer) and at the end there’s even a section from a first-person perspective. Chef’s kiss.

Super Mario Bros., 1993

And to end, the most unintentionally funny movie. Super Mario Bros. was originally aimed at adults, not satisfied with simply appealing to the typical family audience. The result was a truly feverish, dreamlike film, with a production history at least as wild as the film itself. Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo apparently only managed to get through it all by getting wasted every day.