Top 13 Movies Based on Video Games (Ranked for 2025)

"Movies Based on Video Games", few expressions divide audiences more than this one.

For years, Hollywood has attempted to adapt the excitement and storytelling of video games into movies.

Sometimes things went well, but other times, people wanted to forget what they had just seen in the movie theaters.

In this guide, we will look at the best movies based on video games. 

We will discuss what made them successful, how they resonated with fans, and what this trend means for the gaming industry, including the Venture Capital sector.

Why Hollywood Started Making Video Game Movies

Imagine it: It was the late 1980s and early 1990s. 

Hollywood began to take notice of video games, particularly as the gaming industry was experiencing significant growth worldwide.

For film studios, this was a great opportunity.

Turning games into movies meant instant recognition, strong merchandise sales, and a chance to attract younger audiences that traditional movies often did not reach.

Venture capitalists and other investors saw it too. 

Also, technology played a role: CGI and special effects were improving.

By the mid-90s, films like Jurassic Park showed that digital environments could look real. 

This allowed films like Mortal Kombat (1995) and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) to bring video game adventures to life using new effects.

Today, many predict that video games will be the next phenomenon, as Marvel Studios and superhero movies once were. 

Top Movies Based on Video Games

Here is a list of some of the best movies based on video games, ranked, but not in any specific order.

1. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

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Game genre: Platformer / Family (Nintendo, AAA)  

This animated movie by Illumination and Nintendo became a huge success, earning over $1.3 billion worldwide.  

It stayed true to the Super Mario world while appealing to both children and adults.  

2. Sonic the Hedgehog (2020–2022)

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Game genre: Platformer / Adventure (AAA)  

Paramount’s Sonic films surprised audiences by mixing humor, heart, and speed, while involving fans in redesigns.  

It showed that listener feedback can help improve successful franchises.  

3. Detective Pikachu (2019)

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Game genre: Adventure / RPG (Pokémon, AAA)  

Ryan Reynolds voiced Pikachu in this story that balanced nostalgia with new world-building.  

4. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

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Game genre: Action-Adventure (AAA)  

Angelina Jolie played one of gaming’s most famous heroines in this blockbuster film.  

Why did it work? It had strong casting and action that fans recognized from the games.  

5. Uncharted (2022)

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Game genre:  Action-Adventure / Exploration (AAA)  

Tom Holland portrayed Nathan Drake in this treasure-hunting adventure from PlayStation Productions.  

6. Resident Evil Series (2002–2016)

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Game genre: Survival Horror (AAA)  

Milla Jovovich’s Resident Evil films were popular and showed how to successfully adapt a game to film.  

These movies are classics because they successfully blended action and horror, keeping fans engaged.  

7. Mortal Kombat (2021)  

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Game genre: Fighting Game (AAA)  

This iconic series received an R-rated reboot featuring martial arts and iconic moves.  

Some love it because it authentically represents combat and characters from the game.  

8. Warcraft (2016)

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Game genre: MMORPG (AAA)  

This movie, based on World of Warcraft, mixed human drama with stunning CGI.  It created an immersive world that resonated with MMO fans worldwide.  

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

Game genre: Action-Adventure / Platformer (AAA)  

Jake Gyllenhaal turned a popular Ubisoft game into a desert adventure.  

Prince of Persia had high production quality and followed in-game mechanics closely. 

10. Rampage (2018) 

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Game genre: Arcade / Action (Classic Arcade Game)  

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson battled giant monsters inspired by the 1986 arcade game. 

While it was not a huge success, it provided pure fun and nostalgia with modern effects.  

11. Assassin’s Creed (2016)

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Game genre: Action (AAA)  

Michael Fassbender starred in this visually stunning adaptation of Ubisoft’s game. 

12. Silent Hill (2006)

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Game genre: Horror / Psychological (AAA)  

This film brought Konami’s spooky game to life with fog, symbolism, and dread. 

13. Need for Speed (2014)  

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Game genre: Racing / Simulation (AAA)  

This film, based on EA’s series, featured thrilling races and real stunts, much like those in the Fast & Furious series. 

Venture Capital and the Future of Gaming IP

Venture capital firms like Konvoy are investing in the future of cross-media entertainment by focusing on: 

• AAA studios that create transmedia franchises
• Blockchain game developers who highlight player ownership
• Platforms that support streaming and metaverse integration

Big deals, such as the Microsoft–Activision Blizzard merger, show that gaming intellectual property (IP) has become a key asset in today’s entertainment economy. 

We highly recommend that you read: 

• How to Start Investing in Gaming
• What Are MOBA Games
• What is Deep Tech
• What is Enterprise Technology
• What Are Consumer Apps 

In Summary

The list of the best movies based on video games will keep growing, as this industry is just started to grow. 

If you love gaming, storytelling, and the connection between movies and games, check out Konvoy’s Gaming Industry Report. 

It shows how venture capital is shaping the future of entertainment.

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