Video game movies used to be a bit of a joke. The kind of thing you’d throw on for a laugh, not because you expected anything good. But something’s changed. Lately, we’ve seen a handful of surprisingly decent adaptations that didn’t just cash in on nostalgia but actually told stories worth watching.
And it’s not slowing down. There’s even buzz about a live-action Legend of Zelda movie, with Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer reportedly in talks to play Princess Zelda. She’s already said it would be “so cool” to take on the role, and with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director Wes Ball attached, this could be the next big thing. The film’s eyeing a 2027 release.
So whether you’re planning a movie night with friends or just trying to dodge the next cinematic disaster, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a straight-shooting look at the video game movies that nailed it, the ones that totally missed, and the baffling bombs that somehow still hit theaters.
The Five Most Successful Video Game Movies Ever Made
Here’s what winning looks like. These five didn’t just earn back their budgets, they brought in serious numbers.
1. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
- Worldwide gross: $1.36 billion
- Budget: $100 million
- Format: Animated
- Distributor: Universal Pictures / Illumination
The original 1993 Mario movie? Let’s not talk about it. But the 2023 reboot? That’s a different story. With its bright visuals, goofy humor, and a voice cast led by Chris Pratt and Jack Black, it became a global hit. Nostalgia definitely played a part, but this one also knew how to entertain kids and long-time fans alike.
2. Warcraft (2016)
- Worldwide gross: $439 million
- Budget: $160 million
- Format: Live-action
- Distributor: Universal Pictures / Legendary
Critics weren’t kind to Warcraft, but international audiences (especially in China) ate it up. It didn’t make waves in the U.S., but the global numbers told a different story. It’s one of those rare cases where international ticket sales saved the day.
3. Detective Pikachu (2019)
- Worldwide gross: $450 million
- Budget: $150 million
- Format: Live-action/CGI hybrid
- Distributor: Warner Bros.
Ryan Reynolds voicing Pikachu sounded strange at first, but somehow it worked. Detective Pikachu leaned hard into cute, quirky fun with just enough noir mystery to keep adults engaged too. Was it groundbreaking? Not really. But it was a good time.
4. Rampage (2018)
- Worldwide gross: $428 million
- Budget: $120 million
- Format: Live-action
- Distributor: Warner Bros.
Rampage took a paper-thin arcade game and turned it into a blockbuster creature feature with The Rock. It wasn’t deep, but it didn’t need to be. Giant monsters smashing buildings? Job done.
5. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
- Worldwide gross: $405 million
- Budget: $110 million
- Format: Live-action/CGI hybrid
- Distributor: Paramount Pictures
After the first movie fixed Sonic’s nightmare fuel design, the sequel leaned into the charm. Adding Tails and Knuckles was a smart move, and Idris Elba voicing Knuckles? Chef’s kiss.
Five Video Game Movies That Let Fans Down
These adaptations didn’t just miss the mark – they frustrated the fans who wanted them to succeed. Whether it was tone, casting, or just a total disconnect from the source material, here are five that stirred up more disappointment than excitement.
1. Super Mario Bros. (1993)
This one’s legendary for all the wrong reasons. The bright, goofy charm of the games was swapped out for a gritty, bizarre dystopia. Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo did their best, but even they couldn’t save it. Fans didn’t just dislike it – they disowned it.
2. Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)
The first Mortal Kombat movie had charm. The sequel? Not so much. Sloppy effects, wooden acting, and a plot that felt stitched together from leftover cutscenes made this one a punchline. Even die-hard fans cringed.
3. Street Fighter (1994)
Raul Julia gave it his all as M. Bison, but the rest of the film? A mess. Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile didn’t help either. What should’ve been a high-energy fighter flick turned into a campy, off-balance action movie that confused more than it thrilled.
4. Borderlands (2024)
With a big-name cast and a beloved franchise, expectations were high. But Borderlands lost its grip on the tone and humor that defined the games. It felt more like an awkward parody than a proper adaptation.
5. Hitman: Agent 47 (2015)
Stealth. Strategy. Precision. That’s what the games are about. The movie? Loud, generic action with none of the slow-burn tension or clever execution fans expected. Agent 47 deserved better.
Five Game Adaptations That Flopped at the Box Office
Not every miss is about fan backlash. Some of these films just didn’t draw a crowd, plain and simple. Whether it was timing, tone, or just bad marketing, these adaptations struggled to earn back what they spent.
1. Double Dragon (1994)
- Budget: $7.8 million
- Gross: $2.3 million
A low-budget martial arts movie that couldn’t even live up to the modest expectations set by the arcade classic. It was cheesy, flat, and forgotten almost instantly.
2. Assassin’s Creed (2016)
- Budget: $125 million
- Gross: $240 million
Sure, the numbers might not scream disaster, but marketing and production costs pushed this one into risky territory. Fans were hoping for the parkour and stealth of the games. What they got was something closer to a philosophical action film that didn’t quite land.
3. Need for Speed (2014)
- Budget: $66 million
- Gross: $203 million
On paper, this looked like a solid attempt to ride the Fast and Furious wave. In reality, it missed the gear shift. It had the cars, but not the character.
4. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)
- Budget: $137 million
- Gross: $85 million
This was Square’s big bet on photorealistic CGI. Visually stunning at the time, but it lacked the heart and fantasy fans expected. It nearly sunk the studio’s film division.
5. Doom (2005)
- Budget: $60 million
- Gross: $58 million
Even with The Rock on board, Doom couldn’t pull it together. A forgettable sci-fi horror with one cool first-person shooter scene – and not much else.
Uwe Boll’s Legacy of The Worst Video Game Movies Ever
You can’t talk about failed video game movies without mentioning Uwe Boll. The German filmmaker became infamous for turning game IPs into cinematic disasters – and somehow kept getting funding. His movies didn’t just flop, they redefined what failure could look like in this genre.
1. Alone in the Dark (2005)
- Budget: $20 million
- Gross: $12.7 million
Tara Reid plays a scientist. That’s all you need to know. A baffling script, wooden performances, and a 1% rating on Rotten Tomatoes sealed its fate.
2. BloodRayne (2005)
- Budget: $25 million
- Gross: $3.7 million
Despite hiring actual stars like Ben Kingsley and Michelle Rodriguez, BloodRayne was a mess from start to finish. It barely made a dent at the box office.
3. Postal (2007)
- Budget: ~$15 million
- Gross: Under $150,000
This one went out of its way to be offensive and chaotic. Theaters refused to show it. Audiences refused to care.
4. House of the Dead (2003)
- Budget: $12 million
- Gross: $13.8 million
Famous for splicing actual video game footage into live-action scenes. Yes, really. And it looked exactly as bad as you’re imagining.
5. In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007)
- Budget: $60 million
- Gross: $13.1 million
Boll somehow convinced Jason Statham, Ray Liotta, and Ron Perlman to be in this fantasy flop. It was long, lifeless, and nearly unwatchable.
We’re Getting There
It’s not all bad news. The Mortal Kombat reboot didn’t blow viewers away – but did fine at the box office. Plus, it finally gave fans something closer to what they’ve been asking for: sharp fight choreography, brutal fatalities, and characters that actually resemble the ones on screen. It wasn’t perfect – pacing issues, some stiff performances – but it showed a level of respect for the source material that earlier versions completely missed.
And it didn’t end there. The film did well enough on HBO Max to justify a sequel, which is now slated for late 2025. With more budget, more story, and (hopefully) the actual tournament this time, fans have reason to be cautiously hopeful.
Quick FAQ
- What’s the most successful video game movie of all time? The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), which made over $1.3 billion globally.
- What’s the worst-reviewed game movie ever made? Alone in the Dark (2005) with a 1% Rotten Tomatoes score.
- Any recent adaptations worth watching? Yes – Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Detective Pikachu, and the 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot are all solid picks.
- Is the Legend of Zelda movie real? It’s in development. Wes Ball is directing, and Hunter Schafer is rumored to be playing Princess Zelda.
- Are video game movies finally getting good? Some are! There’s still a long way to go, but the trend is promising.