22 best movies based on games

Films based on games and cultural characters gamer are increasingly recurrent. In 2024 alone, 40 titles are expected, with successes including Super Mario Bros. e The Last of Us (if you consider the series). And it makes sense, since taking a story already told in the world of games to the world of films — whether in animation format or in live action — contributes even more to the memory of a franchise.

Os movies about games they have the power to attract both new fans and consolidate old ones. And for you to dive right into this universe, we've prepared a list of the most critically acclaimed ones for you to check out:

Ace Attorney

66% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,5/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2012

Where to watch: is not available for streaming in Brazil.

Takashi miike, 13 Assassins, directed this adaptation of the renowned series of adventure games from Capcom which, contrary to all expectations, turned out very well. The arrival of phoenix wright and on the big screen it is caricatured and funny, never taking itself seriously and that is what makes it so good.

In the movie, Phoenix, a Japanese defense lawyer, has to use all his intelligence and skill to help his friend unfairly guilty of a crime he didn't commit. What he didn't expect was a conspiracy that could have harsh consequences, going far beyond the courtroom. 

The Curse of the Giant Ants

Original title: It came from the desert

60% on Rotten Tomatoes | 4,3/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2018

Where to watch: is not available for streaming in Brazil.

Adaptation of the 1989 classic to the video game Female friend, It came from the desert, the film tells the story of three teenagers who, on an expedition to the desert for a party, end up coming across a secret installation. There, they discover that radioactive research is being carried out on ants, making them gigantic and putting an end to celebrations in the region once and for all.

The long The Curse of the Giant Ants mixes horror with comedy and lots of action in a B movie with a cast mostly made up of teenagers. Good desert scenes can be seen, as well as a lot of fun between friends, but also a lot of destruction.

Angry Birds 2 – The Movie

Original title: The Angry Birds Movie 2

60% on Rotten Tomatoes | 4,3/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2016

Where to watch: Netflix

The second film in the franchise, Angry Birds 2: The Movie, continues the events of the first, with Red and friends protecting the Bird Island of attacks by Pig Island, until a third island appears to make everything even more chaotic. New elements are also added, such as characters, jokes and expansion of the environment to try to please fans of the first film.

Fatal Fury 3: The Fury

Original title: Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture

60% on Rotten Tomatoes | 4,3/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 1994

Where to watch: is not available for streaming in Brazil

With direction Masami Obari and script written by Takashi Yamada, the film Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture put the rich young man Laocorn Gaudeamus on a mission to recover six pieces of armor that is capable of bestowing the powers of Mars, the God of War, to whomever wears it. 

Meanwhile, Work joins Andy Le Sauce, Joe, Mai e Terry to try to prevent Laocorn — who is getting more and more insane as he captures the pieces — unleash an uncontrollable source of destruction.

final Fantasy

Original title: Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

60% on Rotten Tomatoes | 4,3/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2001

Where to watch: YouTube

This film was the main reason for the almost ruin of Squaresoft at the time of release. Its million-dollar production did not generate the expected return at the box office, which made the company despair of a merger, which occurred some time later, with the Enix.

The story is by far what most disappointed fans of the franchise, as it did not deal with practically any element present in the games, opting for a plot with a generic science fiction feel. Even so, the film is entertaining and a sample of what was to come technologically.

Dante's Inferno: An Epic Animation

Original: Dante's Inferno

71% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,5/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2010

Where to watch: balloon play e Lionsgate +

Dante's Inferno: An Epic Animation is an animated film that follows the character Dante Alighieri on a journey through the nine Circles of Hell — Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Avarice, Wrath, Heresy, Violence, Fraud and Betrayal. He will face various evil forces created by his imagination and will continue in search of his beloved. Beatrice, which is in danger.

Persona 3 The Movie: No. 1

86% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,6/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2013

Where to watch: is not available for streaming in Brazil

The feature-length animations of 3 person produced by the renowned studio aniplex adapt the plot of the homonymous game in sequence. In them, a mysterious event takes over the streets of Tokyo every night at the stroke of 12 o'clock: all humans end up being trapped in coffins and monsters roam the streets. And that's not all: a mysterious tower materializes in the middle of the city.

As part of a group of students with special powers, it is up to the protagonist and his friends to explore the tower, whose name is Tartarus, in order to get to the cause of this threat to humanity before the world ends up being swallowed by darkness.

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu 

Original: Pokémon Detective Pikachu

86% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,6/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2019

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video e HBO Max

Launching a magical and real world into live action de Pokémon to the big screen for the first time and borrowing the theme from the game released for the Nintendo 3DS, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu tells the story of Tim (Justice Smith), who, together with his faithful companion, the Detective Pikachu (To Ryan Reynolds in the American dub), will look for the disappearance of his father, the famous detective Harry Goodman. 

The film mixes well the existence of Pokémon in coexistence with humans and has many funny and relaxed moments. Fun for both fans and those who have only heard of the famous little monsters, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu is, perhaps, one of the best film adaptations based on games that have ever been made.

Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva

76% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,6/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2009

Where to watch: is not available for streaming in Brazil.

Transposing the world of the franchise's games Professor Layton for a complete film, bringing together its puzzles and mysterious plots to be deciphered, Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva It's an excellent film that delivers a lot of content for fans of the series. 

in the plot, Layton and your helper Luke participate in a competition within a Opera House, whose prize is eternal life. However, defeat could mean death and they must discover what is behind the one who is controlling the entire scene. 

Rabbids: The Invasion – Mission to Mars 

Original: Rabbids Invasion: Mission to Mars

76% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,6/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2022

Where to watch: Netflix

The clumsy ones Rabbids are assigned to an exploration mission on the planet Mars for the good of the nation. In the film, they will show that they are brave and strong enough to face any threat this journey may present.

Save Yourself Who Can!

Original title: Postal

100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,4/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2007

Where to watch: is not available for streaming in Brazil

Uwe Boll directs this film where the character Postal Dude (Zack ward) is placed in a plot full of bad luck and must face terrorists and political figures to help his uncle Dave.

Street Fighter II: The Movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB9b9m2Mt8E

Original title: Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie

80% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,2/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2007

Where to watch: YouTube

The official animation of the classic fighting game Street Fighter II It's much better than it has any right to be. It faithfully adapts the game's events and features extremely well-animated fight scenes, especially for the time in which it was released. 

Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!

Original: Sūpā Mario Burazāzu: Piichi-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!

65% on Rotten Tomatoes | 5,7/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 1986

Where to watch: is not available for streaming in Brazil

Released in Japanese cinemas, Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach! is a cartoon animation where Mario e Luigi embark on a mission to rescue the Princess Peach from the clutches of Bowser, King Koopa. 

The film was one of the first adaptations of game environments to films and shows a Mario Famicom player who works alongside Luigi in a store and is tempted to rescue a princess who has left and returned to the screens of his game. 

Sonic – The Movie

Original: Sonic the Hedgehog

64% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,5/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2020

Where to watch: Google Play

The fun and impactful film from the biggest franchise in the world Sega emerged to give a boost to the production of movies about games. Sonic – The Movie placed real actors in a plot full of relaxed moments, including scenes known to gamers and a lot of emotion at high speed.

In this first film live action, Sonic crashes on planet Earth, causes a huge electrical outage and needs to escape the Dr Robotnik.

Street Fighter II: The Movie

Original title: Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie

Ano: 1994

80% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,2/10 on IMDb

Where to watch: not available for streaming in Brazil

The official animation of the classic fighting game Street Fighter II is much better than it has any right to be. It faithfully adapts the game's events and features extremely well-animated fight scenes, especially for the time in which it was released. 

Many of the visuals are very reminiscent of the series Street Fighter II V (also known as Street Fighter II Victory), and the high quality of this adaptation is worth noting, a milestone for the moment in the history of games in which it was released.

Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike

73% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,4/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2009

Where to watch: nis not available for streaming in Brazil

The animated adaptation of Tales of Vesperia tells a story that serves as a prequel to the events of the game and, oddly enough, it was good. Many of the game's voice actors return to reprise their roles and the quality of the animation is on the same level as the animated scenes from the RPG on which the film is based.

In general terms, it's a good adaptation, just without many surprises. For those who played Tales of Vesperia, it's a full plate.

Tokimeki memorial

– on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 1997

Where to watch: nis not available for streaming in Brazil

Inspired by the 90s dating simulator game from Konami, Tokimeki memorial presents a story in live action whose character Shiori Fujisaki It's one of the few things that refer to the game. 

The film takes place in isolation Inland Sea of ​​Seto and tells the story of akihiko (Yoshinori Okada), who is in the final stages of high school and is applying, along with his friend Kosuke (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi), for a part-time job at a beach club in order to try to get along with four girls.

A Wolf Among Us

https://youtu.be/d5alXf93864

Original: Werewolves Within

86% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2021

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max

Based on the famous RPG game Werewolves Within, the film A Wolf Among Us presents a script in which a snowstorm leaves residents of a city trapped in an inn. During this event, the postal worker Cecilia and the forest ranger Finn investigate a mysterious creature that is terrorizing the place.

Despite moments of tension, A Wolf Among Us It's a comedy film with lots of crazy events happening and questionable inhabitants.

Yo-kai Watch: The Movie

Original: Yo-kai Watch: The Movie

80% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2014

Where to watch: not available for streaming in Brazil

the movie series Yo-kai Watch also came to life and delivered four animated feature films full of humor and mysteries.

Tetris

87% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,4/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2023

Where to watch: Apple TV+

Released in 2023 and directed by Scottish director Jon S. Baird, the film tells the story of how Henk Rogers worked with the game's inventor Alexey Pajitnov to make it popular.

Gran Turismo: From Gamer to Racer 

Original: Gran Turismo

98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,1/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2023

Where to watch: Max

Released in 2023 and directed by South African filmmaker Neill Blomkamp, the film is based on the story of Jann Mardenborough, a young man who, after winning several game competitions Gran Turismo Get the chance to become a professional pilot.

Bonus – future release

Borderlands: The Fate of the Universe Is at Stake

Original: Borderlands

-% on Rotten Tomatoes | -/10 on IMDb

Vintage: 2024

Where to watch: not yet available for streaming

Scheduled to premiere on August 9, 2024, the film tells the story of a bounty hunter, who returns to her home planet and teams up with a group of misfits to find the daughter of the most powerful man in the universe.

Learn more

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Sources: JustWatch, Rotten Tomatoes, Vulture, Apple TV +, Wikipedia 1 | 2 | 3

Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim (11 / 09 / 23)