For years, video games and the worlds of film and television were like oil and water. Games based on films and TV shows so often sucked, while big distributors on the big and small screens never dared attempt an adaptation of something only a nerd in their parent’s basement would enjoy. Up to now, why have to few video games been adapted for television and the cinema?
As technology has expanded, so too has the capacity for video game developers to present Hollywood-esque blockbusters in their titles. Video games now come packaged with characters, stories, and sequences that can rival, and sometimes even surpass, what the other facets of the entertainment world are throwing up. What’s more, gaming has become much more of a mainstream hobby over the past two decades, widening the net for networks and publishers regarding their audiences.
With all that being said, let’s look back at some of the best video game franchises that have successfully made the jump to TV shows and movies recently.
The Last of Us (2023-)
Naughty Dog began development for The Last of Us in 2009 following the release of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. And, almost immediately, the hype behind it was unlike anything the industry had experienced before. The game and its 2020 sequel became one of the most acclaimed games ever released, standing out with its cinematic score, characters, visuals, and gripping gameplay.
The two games already gave off serious blockbuster vibes, so when it was announced a TV series of it would be landing on HBO in 2023, fans knew it was going to be a classic. Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, the show did a stellar job bringing this post-apocalyptic world gamers knew to life. The show garnered 22 million viewers in its first twelve days and has already been renewed for a second season.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
At one time Sonic the Hedgehog was the video game cooler older brothers would play. But Sonic the Hedgehog has had a patchy reputation since its heyday in the 1990s. Struggling with the being adapted to 3D, SEGA’s main mascot spent a few years in the wilderness before it was announced their blue hedgehog would be making the jump to the big screen.
In true Sonic fashion, the original 2019 trailer for the film led to some severe fan backlash, with the design of the titular character, in fairness, resembling something from our deepest nightmares. But, following a three-month delay to redesign him, the movie adaptation landed in January 2020 and instantly made a splash at the box office.
Grossing $320 million worldwide, it became the highest-selling video game adaptation of all time, a record only surpassed by its 2022 sequel.
The Witcher (2019-)
CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher III redefined the open-world RPG genre following its release in 2015. Winning over 200 Game of the Year awards, The Witcher III was universally praised for its visuals, story, combat, and narrative.
However, it was in its open world and all the fantastical creatures and inhabitants the developers conjured up that really stole the show. The sheer scope and scale of The continent and its Slavonic inspirations provided the perfect immersive setting and was begging to be adapted on the small screen. A call that Netflix thankfully answered in 2019.
Starring Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, the show has gone viral for its faithfulness to its source material. It was even praised by original Witcher author Andrzej Sapkowski for its depictions.
Mortal Kombat (2021)
Mortal Kombat is one of the world’s longest-running video game franchises. Having first been developed by Midway Games back in 1992, the game is a popular title with Esports betting markets, fostered a healthy competitive scene and has gone down in infamy for its graphic visuals, especially with its ‘fatality’ finisher moves.
Being one of the highest-grossing multimedia franchises of all time, a modern movie adaptation would always be a matter of ‘if‘ rather than ‘when‘. Thankfully for fans, such a movie came out in 2021.
Martial arts films haven’t typically always adapted well around the world of cinema, however, buoyed by the legacy of its video game roots, Mortal Kombat closed the year as one of the big success stories. Starring Lewis Tan and Jessica McNamee, the film grossed $84.4 million, following the heroes of Earthrealm forced to compete in tournaments against those from Outworld, knowing that ten losses will see their world invaded.
Werewolves Within (2021)
Werewolves Within was a quirky little social deduction game released back in 2016 for the Oculus, Windows and PlayStation VR. Set in a medieval-fantasy village, the game sees players tasked with guessing which member of their party is the wolf attacking the town. Despite not being the heaviest-hitting game of the year, it was announced in January 2020 that it would be adapted into a movie with Josh Ruben serving as director and Mishna Wolff (aptly named) as lead writer.
Set in Vermont, the movie sees a group of townsfolk trapped in a snowstorm and forced into suspecting one of their party is secretly a werewolf. The film only ended up making $992,000 at the box office against a budget of $6.5 million; however, Werewolves Within holds the record for the highest-rated video game movie adaptation on both Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes.
