From Console to Cinema: The Best Video Game Movies That Actually Got It Right

By WWLTP – We Would Like To Play

For decades, video game movies carried an unfortunate reputation. Hollywood often treated games as shallow IP rather than fully realized worlds, resulting in films that missed the spirit of what made the games special. But as gaming has grown into the largest entertainment industry in the world, adaptations have finally started to evolve. Today, the best video game movies don’t just cash in on nostalgia, they respect competitive culture, lore, characters, and the communities that built these franchises in the first place.

Here are some of the best gaming movies that proved games belong on the big screen.

Mortal Kombat (1995 / 2021) – Competitive DNA on Film

Mortal Kombat remains one of the most influential video game movies ever made. The 1995 original succeeded because it understood the fighting-game mindset: tournaments, rivalries, and iconic characters with distinct styles. Its soundtrack, choreography, and unapologetic embrace of the source material made it a cult classic.

The 2021 reboot modernized the franchise with cinematic brutality and updated visuals while keeping the tournament spirit intact. For fighting-game fans, Mortal Kombat feels like EVO energy translated into film, high stakes, personal rivalries, and the constant question of who survives the bracket.

Resident Evil (2002) – Building a Franchise, Not Just a Film

Rather than recreating a single game, Resident Evil expanded the universe. This decision helped the franchise run for over a decade, introducing survival horror concepts to a global audience. While later installments leaned more into action than horror, the series proved something critical: video game films could be long-term franchises with real box-office power.

For WWLTP, Resident Evil represents an early example of IP scalability, turning gameplay mechanics, lore, and atmosphere into a cinematic universe.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2020 / 2022) – Listening to the Community

Few gaming movies symbolize the power of fan feedback like Sonic the Hedgehog. After early backlash to Sonic’s design, the studio made changes, earning massive goodwill from gamers. The final product was fast, funny, and heartfelt, capturing Sonic’s personality without overcomplicating the story.

Its sequel expanded the universe with Tails and Knuckles, leaning further into franchise lore. Sonic’s success shows that respecting the community isn’t optional, it’s a competitive advantage.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) – Nostalgia Done Right

Nintendo and Illumination took a different approach with The Super Mario Bros. Movie: minimal dialogue, maximal identity. Packed with references, music, and world-building, the film delivered exactly what fans wanted, a celebration of one of gaming’s most recognizable universes.

The movie’s massive global success proved that animation is one of the strongest mediums for adapting games, especially when the goal is to honor legacy rather than reinvent it.

Warcraft (2016) – Lore for the Hardcore Fans

Warcraft may not have won over casual viewers, but longtime fans appreciated its faithful depiction of Azeroth. The film respected Blizzard’s lore, moral complexity, and faction-based storytelling; elements that define World of Warcraft’s competitive and community-driven identity.

It stands as a reminder that some gaming films are made for the core audience first, and that authenticity matters.

Tomb Raider (2018) – A Modern Hero’s Journey

Alicia Vikander’s Tomb Raider aligned closely with the modern reboot of the games, emphasizing survival, exploration, and character growth. Instead of portraying Lara Croft as invincible, the film showed her resilience and evolution, mirroring how modern games focus on narrative depth and player immersion.

Final Thoughts: Gaming Movies Are Finally Leveling Up

The best gaming movies succeed when they treat games as culture, not gimmicks. Whether it’s competitive fighting games, platforming legends, or lore-heavy RPGs, these films prove that gaming IP can thrive in cinema when handled with care.

At WWLTP – We Would Like To Play, we track the evolution of gaming across every arena, from tournaments and rankings to media and film. As Hollywood continues to adapt gaming’s biggest franchises, one thing is clear: when studios respect players, communities, and the source material, everyone wins.