From Console to Cinema and Back: The Ultimate List of Video Game and Movie Adaptations

This article presents a complete, no-fluff guide to every significant crossover between games and films—divided into well-structured sections with real detail, not just names and release years. From live-action blockbusters to underrated animated series, from movie-inspired video games to the most promising upcoming crossovers, here’s your definitive list, carefully broken down for clarity and depth.

Section 1: Video Games That Became Live-Action Movies

This list covers the most notable and influential live-action movies adapted from video games—successes, failures, and everything in between.

1. Super Mario Bros. (1993)

The very first major video game-to-film adaptation, and still one of the strangest. Super Mario Bros. took Nintendo’s cheerful world of mushrooms and plumbers and turned it into a grimy dystopian sci-fi adventure starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo. Critically panned and commercially disappointing, it’s now a cult classic that represents everything bizarre and bold about early game adaptations.

2. Mortal Kombat (1995)

Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, Mortal Kombat succeeded where others failed by embracing the game’s martial arts tone and iconic characters. The fight choreography, practical effects, and booming soundtrack made this one a fan favorite. Its success led to the lesser-loved Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997) and a much darker reboot in 2021.

3. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

Starring Angelina Jolie, this adaptation captured the globe-trotting, puzzle-solving spirit of the original Tomb Raider games. While critics gave mixed reviews, it performed well financially and remains one of the earliest examples of a female-led action franchise with a gaming origin.

4. Resident Evil Series (2002–2016)

Paul W.S. Anderson returned to the game adaptation scene with Resident Evil, creating a long-running series that spanned six movies. The films took heavy liberties with Capcom’s source material, turning a horror series into an action-packed zombie franchise. Despite the deviations, it became the most commercially successful game-based movie series at the time.

5. Silent Hill (2006)

A rare case where atmosphere and visual fidelity matched the game. Silent Hill was praised for capturing the eerie, fog-shrouded town and disturbing creature designs. Though its plot was convoluted, it remains one of the most faithful horror adaptations from games.

6. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

Disney’s attempt at a swashbuckling adventure, based on Ubisoft’s game of the same name. Despite a decent box office performance and Jake Gyllenhaal’s efforts in the lead role, the film was criticized for whitewashing and shallow storytelling.

7. Warcraft (2016)

Blizzard’s expansive MMO world came to life in a visually dense, lore-heavy adaptation. Directed by Duncan Jones, the movie struggled with critics but excelled overseas, especially in China. It grossed nearly $450 million globally, proving the Warcraft brand’s massive appeal.

8. Assassin’s Creed (2016)

Starring Michael Fassbender, this adaptation stayed close to Ubisoft’s complex sci-fi lore involving genetic memories and ancient assassins. Despite beautiful cinematography and high production values, the movie failed to connect emotionally with either newcomers or fans.

9. Tomb Raider (2018)

A gritty reboot inspired by the 2013 game reboot. Alicia Vikander portrayed a younger, more grounded Lara Croft. The film was a moderate success and praised for its action set pieces and character-driven narrative.

10. Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

Initially mocked for its nightmarish Sonic design in the first trailer, the movie rebounded after a full redesign and earned praise for its family-friendly tone and fun storytelling. It was followed by a successful sequel in 2022 and continues to build a cinematic universe.

11. Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)

One of the most charming game adaptations to date. Featuring a talking Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) and set in a world where humans and Pokémon coexist, the film pleased both casual moviegoers and longtime Pokémon fans.

12. Monster Hunter (2020)

Another Paul W.S. Anderson project, this time adapting Capcom’s monster-slaying franchise. While visually competent, the film was criticized for its lack of story and generic action sequences.

13. Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)

Based on the viral indie horror hit, FNaF finally hit theaters after years of development. The film toned down the horror for a wider audience but stayed true to the franchise's lore. It became a box office success and is already set for a sequel.

Section 2: Animated Films and Series Based on Video Games

Animation has often done what live-action struggles to achieve: faithfully represent the tone, visuals, and characters of the games while exploring new narratives.

1. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)

A bold, expensive attempt at photo-realistic CGI. Though it was technically impressive, it was a box office bomb and nearly sank Square Pictures. It’s mostly remembered today for being ahead of its time in animation tech.

2. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005)

A direct sequel to the legendary RPG. Though confusing for non-fans, the film was celebrated for its gorgeous visuals and epic fight scenes, making it a cult favorite among FFVII fans.

3. Pokémon: The First Movie (1998)

Released at the height of Pokémania, this emotional animated film introduced Mewtwo and tugged at the heartstrings of a generation. It was followed by dozens of animated Pokémon films and remains a milestone in game-to-film history.

4. The Angry Birds Movie (2016)

A comedy film based on the popular mobile game. Despite the limited source material, the film found success with a family audience and spawned a sequel in 2019.

5. Ratchet & Clank (2016)

Intended to reboot the franchise alongside the PS4 game, the film’s tight connection to the game alienated casual viewers. It failed at the box office but remains a curiosity for fans of the franchise.

6. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

Illumination’s animated reboot became the highest-grossing video game movie of all time. Featuring voice work from Chris Pratt, Jack Black, and others, it struck the perfect balance between nostalgia and modern appeal.

7. Castlevania (2017–2021, Netflix)

This adult animated series set a new bar for game adaptations. Beautifully animated, sharply written, and full of gothic flair, it expanded on Konami’s lore and earned critical acclaim. Its success spawned Castlevania: Nocturne in 2023.

8. Arcane (2021–present, Netflix)

Set in the League of Legends universe, Arcane stunned the world with its painterly animation, character-driven storytelling, and accessibility to non-gamers. Widely regarded as one of the best video game adaptations ever.

9. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022, Netflix)

A side story to Cyberpunk 2077, this anime series exceeded expectations. With brilliant direction, emotional depth, and intense visuals, it revitalized interest in the game and proved the power of cross-media storytelling.

Section 3: TV Series Adapted from Video Games

Television has become the perfect medium for adapting video games. Unlike movies, TV allows for long-form storytelling, character development, and expansive worldbuilding—things most video games already excel at. This format has delivered some of the most celebrated adaptations in recent years.

1. The Witcher (2019–present, Netflix)

While technically based more on the novels than the CD Projekt RED games, The Witcher series owes much of its success to the games' popularity. Henry Cavill's Geralt captured the gruff charm players loved. Despite diverging from source material over time, its success opened doors for other high fantasy game-based series.

2. The Last of Us (2023–present, HBO)

This adaptation raised the bar across the board. With a script co-written by the game’s creator Neil Druckmann and showrunner Craig Mazin (Chernobyl), The Last of Us became the gold standard. It stayed remarkably faithful to the source material while deepening the story through new perspectives and character arcs. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey’s performances were widely praised.

3. Halo (2022–present, Paramount+)

This long-gestating adaptation finally landed with a massive budget and high expectations. It took creative liberties with Halo canon, sparking debate among fans. While the action and effects were strong, its deviations from the Master Chief’s story split the community.

4. Twisted Metal (2023–present, Peacock)

Based on Sony’s vehicular combat series, Twisted Metal turned out to be more fun than expected. With chaotic action, dark humor, and Anthony Mackie in the lead role, it carved out a surprising niche despite modest expectations.

5. Resident Evil (2022, Netflix)

This short-lived series tried to tell a dual-timeline narrative set in the Resident Evil universe. It struggled with tone, pacing, and character development, leading to cancellation after one season.

6. Dragon’s Dogma (2020, Netflix)

A lesser-known adaptation of Capcom’s action-RPG, the anime-style series used cel-shaded animation and loosely followed the game’s central revenge arc. Reception was lukewarm, but it introduced the IP to new audiences.

Section 4: Movies That Became Video Games

Long before games became movie-worthy, Hollywood was churning out licensed tie-ins to promote blockbuster releases. While many were forgettable, some became iconic in their own right.

1. GoldenEye 007 (1997)

The crown jewel of movie-based games. Rare’s N64 shooter based on the James Bond film not only broke new ground for FPS mechanics on consoles—it became a cultural event. Its four-player split-screen mode defined multiplayer gaming for a generation.

2. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and Return of the King (2002–2003)

EA’s beat-’em-up adaptations perfectly captured the film’s epic battles and set pieces. With voiceovers from the cast and direct scene recreations, these titles set a high bar for cinematic game adaptations.

3. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Though Spider-Man games have existed since the early '90s, this tie-in to the Sam Raimi film revolutionized web-swinging mechanics in open-world games. It remains one of the most influential superhero titles ever released.

4. The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay (2004)

This surprise hit didn’t just ride on the film’s success—it elevated the franchise. A stealth-action FPS with great atmosphere and tight design, it surpassed expectations and remains a cult classic.

5. The Matrix: Path of Neo (2005) / Enter the Matrix (2003)

These games expanded on the Matrix universe with original content and alternative storylines. While the gameplay was rough, the lore and involvement from the Wachowskis made them canonical additions.

6. King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie (2005)

Directed in part by Peter Jackson, this game blurred the lines between first-person shooter and survival adventure. It was intense, visually striking, and more than just a simple tie-in.

7. Mad Max (2015)

Though not a direct adaptation of Fury Road, the game shared its dusty chaos and vehicular combat. With deep car customization and brutal melee fighting, it became a sleeper hit despite being overshadowed by bigger 2015 releases.

8. Alien: Isolation (2014)

While not a direct film adaptation, this game faithfully recreated the tone, aesthetic, and horror of the 1979 Alien movie. It’s one of the scariest stealth-horror games ever made, with smart AI and nerve-wracking gameplay.

9. Batman Begins (2005) / Batman: Arkham series (2009+)

Batman Begins was an average tie-in, but it laid the foundation for Rocksteady’s Arkham series, which revolutionized superhero gaming. Though not based on the films, Arkham Asylum and its sequels drew heavily from Nolan’s tone and atmosphere.

Section 5: Animated & Cartoon Adaptations from Games

Beyond movies and series, many game franchises entered pop culture through animated shows in the '80s, '90s, and early 2000s—some beloved, some bizarre.

1. The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (1989)

A mix of live-action skits and Saturday-morning cartoons. Lou Albano’s Mario was goofy and charming, and the show helped cement the plumber’s pop culture status in the pre-internet era.

2. Sonic the Hedgehog (SATAM) (1993–1994)

Dark, dystopian, and far more serious than the games, this cult classic gave Sonic real stakes and emotional depth. It’s still fondly remembered by older fans.

3. The Legend of Zelda (1989)

Known for Link’s infamous catchphrase “Excuuuse me, Princess!” the show was only 13 episodes but gained notoriety for its meme-worthy dialogue and weird tone.

4. Donkey Kong Country (1996–2000)

An early attempt at CGI animation, this series had strange music, odd animation, and even stranger plotlines. Still, it’s remembered fondly by fans of the era.

5. Mega Man (1994)

A more serious adaptation of the Capcom series. It ran for two seasons and gave Mega Man a more grounded, American-style action approach.

Section 6: Upcoming and Canceled Adaptations

The intersection of games and screen media shows no signs of slowing down. With streaming platforms investing heavily in original content, and game studios taking narrative design more seriously than ever, the list of upcoming adaptations is longer and more ambitious than ever. Of course, not all of them make it to release.

Confirmed Upcoming Adaptations

Ghost of Tsushima – (TBD, Live-action Movie)

Directed by Chad Stahelski (John Wick series), this adaptation promises stunning swordplay and visual drama set in feudal Japan. Developed in collaboration with Sucker Punch Productions, it has potential to become one of the most faithful and cinematic game adaptations to date.

The Legend of Zelda – (In development, Live-action Movie)

Nintendo officially confirmed this long-anticipated adaptation in 2023. Produced in collaboration with Sony Pictures, this film aims to introduce Link’s iconic journey to a wide audience—though fans are holding their breath to see if it does justice to the franchise’s tone and lore.

Death Stranding – (In development)

Kojima Productions is working with A24 on a live-action adaptation of Death Stranding, known for its surreal narrative and philosophical themes. Details are scarce, but expectations are high, especially with Hideo Kojima directly involved.

Fallout – (2024, Amazon Prime Video Series)

Set to star Ella Purnell and Walton Goggins, Fallout is being developed by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy (Westworld). It aims to deliver a dark, irradiated satire of post-apocalyptic America.

Horizon Zero Dawn – (In development, Netflix)

This PlayStation franchise is being adapted into a Netflix series with a focus on Aloy’s rise in a world of machines. Visual storytelling and VFX will be crucial to this show’s success.

God of War – (In development, Amazon Prime)

Kratos is finally making the jump to live-action, focusing on the Norse saga introduced in the 2018 reboot. Fans are excited—and nervous—about casting and tone.

Gears of War – (In development, Netflix Movie + Animated Series)

Netflix plans to adapt Epic’s gritty sci-fi shooter with both a feature film and an adult animated series. The project has been in and out of development for years but is now officially moving forward.

Minecraft – (2025, Live-action Movie)

A long-gestating project, now moving forward with Jason Momoa reportedly attached. How a plot will form around Minecraft remains to be seen, but Warner Bros. is banking on its brand power.

Metal Gear Solid – (In development, Movie)

Oscar Isaac is attached to star as Solid Snake. Hideo Kojima is not directly involved, but fans are cautiously optimistic thanks to Jordan Vogt-Roberts' passion for the series.

Sifu, Gravity Rush, Days Gone, Just Cause, and more...

Sony Pictures is developing numerous PlayStation properties under their “PlayStation Productions” umbrella. Some may never see the light of day, but others are already in early production.

❌ Canceled or Stalled Projects

• Bioshock – Originally planned as a film with director Gore Verbinski. Canceled due to budget concerns. A new Netflix adaptation is reportedly back in development as of 2023.

• The Sims – Rumored for years, but no progress.

• Mega Man – A live-action version was in the works at Netflix but has seen no updates since 2022.

• Devil May Cry – An animated Netflix series from Castlevania’s producer is still listed as in development, but no official updates have been made public.

These cancellations underscore just how tricky it is to adapt games—where fans expect faithfulness, and studios worry about budgets and audience appeal.

Section 7: Trivia, Industry Impact, and Fan Reception

Did You Know?

• Super Mario Bros. (1993) was the first game-based movie ever made—and had zero involvement from Nintendo. Shigeru Miyamoto later said he appreciated the creative risk, but didn’t care for the final product.

• The Last of Us is the highest-rated video game adaptation ever on Rotten Tomatoes and the first to receive major awards nominations outside gaming.

• GoldenEye 007 was so successful it outsold the movie itself in long-term revenue—and revolutionized the console FPS genre.

• Castlevania (Netflix) became Netflix’s most-watched animated show in its genre during its debut year.

• Warcraft bombed in the U.S. but made over $220 million in China alone, proving that adaptations can succeed globally even if they stumble at home.

Box Office & Revenue Quick Comparison

Final Reflections

If this exhaustive list shows anything, it’s that the bridge between gaming and cinematic storytelling is no longer just a one-way street. It's a vibrant, two-lane highway—often chaotic, sometimes brilliant, but undeniably alive with possibility.

In the past, game-to-movie adaptations were rushed cash-ins with little creative oversight. Today, creators like Neil Druckmann, Hideo Kojima, and Riot Games are collaborating directly with studios to tell their stories their way. Likewise, filmmakers are discovering that the interactive richness of games offers vast potential for expanding universes in ways that film alone never could.

Whether you're watching Joel and Ellie trek across America, diving into Midgar with Cloud and Tifa, or swinging through New York as Peter Parker—you're part of a growing audience that no longer sees a wall between games and storytelling, but a shared canvas.

With dozens more projects in development and a generation raised on both mediums, this evolution is only just beginning. Grab your controller—or your popcorn. You're going to need both.