If you are a fan of video games, then it is likely that you have already come across several films and TV shows based on your favourite game titles. There are many action-packed superhero films and adventurous fantasy series that have taken inspiration from popular games.
But with so many video game movies out there, have you seen all the most popular ones? If not, get ready to dive into the exciting world of games brought to life on the big and small screen. Have you grabbed your popcorn?
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Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, a 2001 film, is an action-packed adventure inspired by the popular video game series. Angelina Jolie stars as the iconic character in this international co-production from the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany. Directed by Simon West, the film features Lara Croft in a race against the secretive Illuminati to recover ancient artefacts.
The film, released on June 15, 2001, was met with mixed reviews from critics, though Jolie’s performance was well-received. It stands out as one of the most financially successful video game adaptations, which led to a sequel, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, in 2003.
The plot is centred around Lara Croft, an adventurous aristocrat. As the story progresses, she embarks on an international quest to prevent the misuse of the Triangle of Light, a powerful object capable of controlling time. Her journey takes her from the ancient temples of Cambodia to the frozen landscapes of Siberia. She faces both mystical and human adversaries. In a climax of time manipulation and moral choices, Lara must decide between personal gain and the greater good and confront some truths about her father.
Tomb Raider (2018)
Tomb Raider, released in 2018, is an action-adventure film directed by Roar Uthaug with Alicia Vikander in the iconic role of Lara Croft. It draws inspiration from the 2013 video game adaptation and subsequent sequel by Crystal Dynamics. The plot revolves around Lara Croft’s quest to unravel the mystery behind her father’s disappearance. The circumstances lead her on a dangerous journey to his last-known location. The film features Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, and Kristin Scott Thomas in supporting roles.
Filming occurred between January and June 2017 in Warner Bros. Studios in England and Cape Town, as well as various locales around London. It gathered a worldwide gross of $274 million, similar to the 2001 film but surpassing its 2003 sequel.
The film received mixed reviews. While some critics were critical of the plot, others praised its action sequences. Some appreciated Alicia Vikander’s portrayal of Lara Croft as a strong, capable heroine, while others found the character lacklustre. Plans for a sequel were set in motion but were later cancelled in 2022 after MGM lost the rights to the Tomb Raider series. Currently, a new reboot film is in the works at Amazon Studios and dj2 Entertainment. It aims to be part of a shared universe and include a television series and a video game.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, a 2022 web anime series, is an adaptation of the video game Cyberpunk 2077 by CD Projekt Red. Animated by Japanese Studio Trigger and premiered on Netflix, it is set in a universe created by Mike Pondsmith.
It is a prequel to the game, as it unfolds about a year before its events. The anime received widespread acclaim for its character development and animation quality. CD Projekt, however, announced that the series was intended as a standalone work, with no plans for a second season. However, they remain open to future collaborations with Trigger.
Sonic the Hedgehog (film)
Sonic the Hedgehog, a 2020 action-adventure comedy film, is based on Sega’s video game series. The film stars Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, with James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, and Jim Carrey in live-action roles.
The film’s development, initiated in the 1990s, finally took off in 2013 under Sony Pictures before moving to Paramount Pictures. Following a redesign of Sonic’s character prompted by public feedback, the film premiered in February 2020.
The film was well-received. It set records for the largest opening weekend for a video game film in the U.S. and Canada and grossed over $319.7 million globally. It became the highest-grossing video game adaptation in North America until surpassed by its sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, in 2022.
The plot revolves around Sonic, a blue hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds. He teams up with a town sheriff, Tom Wachowski, to fight the evil Dr. Robotnik, played by Carrey. The story begins on Sonic’s home planet, where he escapes an attack and is sent to Earth. Ten years later, living secretly in Montana, Sonic accidentally causes a massive power outage, leading to Dr. Robotnik’s pursuit.
Mortal Kombat (movie)
Mortal Kombat, a 2021 martial arts fantasy film, marks the third instalment in the Mortal Kombat series. Directed by Simon McQuoid in his feature directorial debut, the screenplay is rooted in the video game series created by Ed Boon and John Tobias.
The film features a diverse cast, including Lewis Tan as Cole Young, a faded mixed martial arts fighter unaware of his ancestral legacy and why Sub-Zero, an assassin, is pursuing him. The narrative follows Cole as he joins forces with a group of fighters chosen to defend Earthrealm against the threats from Outworld.
After a long development period following the 1997 film Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema rejuvenated the project. Filming took place in Adelaide and across South Australia, from September to December 2019. It was released in various formats including Dolby Cinema, IMAX, and 4DX, and simultaneously on HBO Max.
With a production budget of $55 million, the film grossed over $84 million and became HBO Max’s most successful launch at the time. A sequel, Mortal Kombat 2, is currently in development, with McQuoid returning as director and Jeremy Slater as the screenwriter.
Arcane
Arcane is an animated series created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee. The production is a fusion of steampunk aesthetics and action-adventure elements. Produced by Fortiche Production in France and overseen by Riot Games, the series was introduced to the world during the 10th anniversary celebration of League of Legends in 2019. It debuted on Netflix in November 2021.
The narrative is set in the expansive League of Legends universe. It takes place in two very different cities. Piltover is a rich and perfect place, while Zaun is poor and troubled. The story focuses on two sisters, Vi and Jinx, who end up on different sides of a big fight. Their world gets divided by different beliefs and new, magical technology. The show talks about family, staying true to yourself, and the benefits and dangers of having power and inventions.
The inaugural season of Arcane received widespread critical acclaim. It was praised for exceptional animation quality, storytelling, detailed world-building, thrilling action scenes, and deeply developed characters. The announcement of the series’ second season release in November 2024 was met with much anticipation by fans.
Notably, the series captivated both seasoned League of Legends players and newcomers. It broke records on Netflix as its highest-rated series shortly after release. The title appeared on Netflix’s Top 10 Chart in numerous countries.
In 2022, Arcane became the first streaming series to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program. Moreover, it secured an Annie Award for Best General Audience Animated Television Broadcast Production.
Resident Evil
Resident Evil is an American action horror series. It was developed by Andrew Dabb for Netflix. This series marks the second TV adaptation and the third live-action adaptation of the Resident Evil universe. It follows the success of the film series and the animated miniseries Infinite Darkness. While it establishes its unique universe, it retains the video game series’ storyline as a backdrop.
The narrative is propelled by an ensemble cast, featuring Lance Reddick as Albert Wesker’s clones and Ella Balinska and Adeline Rudolph as Wesker’s daughters. The story is told through two interwoven timelines. In one, the focus is on the younger days of Jade and Billie Wesker in New Raccoon City. They uncover dark secrets about their father and the infamous Umbrella Corporation. The other timeline leaps 14 years into the future, following Jade’s endeavours in a world ravaged by the T-virus.
The plot ties together the events following the destruction of Raccoon City, the fall of the Umbrella Corporation, and the aftermath of Albert Wesker’s death. It culminates in a dystopian world in 2036 dominated by the T-virus and the evil Umbrella Corp presence.
Production of the series began in 2019 and was announced in 2020. Scheduled as an eight-episode series, it faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The series premiered on July 14, 2022, but received mixed reviews from critics and predominantly negative responses from audiences. It led to its cancellation after one season.
The Last of Us
The Last of Us is an American television series crafted for HBO by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. Its action is set in a world ravaged by a catastrophic fungal pandemic. This post-apocalyptic drama is inspired by the popular video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog.
Set two decades after the outbreak, the story follows Joel, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, a smuggler tasked with the perilous mission of escorting Ellie, an immune teenager played by Bella Ramsey, across the United States. The narrative captures the essence of the 2013 game in its first season.
The series boasts a talented cast, including Nico Parker as Joel’s daughter Sarah, Merle Dandridge as Marlene, a leader in the resistance, and Anna Torv as Tess, Joel’s partner. Filming of the first season took place in Alberta, from July 2021 to June 2022. The second season’s production is set to begin in British Columbia in 2024.
Upon its premiere on January 15, 2023, The Last of Us quickly gained fans for its actors’ performances, script, set design, and music. The show achieved impressive viewership. It became one of HBO’s most successful debuts since 2010. By May, the series had averaged almost 32 million viewers per episode. The second season is set to premiere in 2025.
Five Nights at Freddy’s
Five Nights at Freddy’s is a 2023 supernatural horror film directed by Emma Tammi. It stars Josh Hutcherson as a troubled security guard working at an abandoned pizzeria. The film explores a dark narrative where the pizzeria’s animatronic mascots, possessed by the spirits of homicidal children, become a menacing force.
The supporting cast includes Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Matthew Lillard. The film’s development began in April 2015 under Warner Bros. Since then, it faced several setbacks and changes in direction and personnel. Eventually, the project was taken over by Blumhouse Productions. The filming occurred in New Orleans from February to April 2023 on a $20 million budget. It became Blumhouse’s highest-grossing film worldwide.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie, released in 2023, is an American adventure comedy based on Nintendo’s iconic video game franchise. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic and written by Matthew Fogel, the film features a star-studded voice cast including Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black.
The story provides an origin for Mario and Luigi, Italian-American plumbers who find themselves in an alternate world. They get entangled in a conflict between the Mushroom Kingdom and the Koopas. After Nintendo’s initial hesitation following the 1993 live-action film’s failure, a partnership with Universal Pictures and Illumination led to the film’s development. The production started in 2020 and the film premiered in April 2023. It became a box-office sensation, broke multiple records and grossed $1.36 billion worldwide.
The plot revolves around the brothers Mario and Luigi, who, while attempting to repair a major leak in Brooklyn, are transported to the Mushroom Kingdom and the Dark Lands, respectively. The Mushroom Kingdom, under Princess Peach’s rule, faces a threat from Bowser, the Koopa king, who plans to marry the princess and destroy the kingdom using a Super Star.
Game-based movies and TV shows
As the popularity of video games continues to rise, so does the trend of adapting these games into movies and TV shows. From classic titles like Super Mario Bros. and Mortal Kombat, to more recent releases such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Arcane, there has been no shortage of game-based entertainment recently.
However, while some adaptations have been met with critical acclaim and commercial success, others have fallen victim to negative reviews and low box office numbers. To avoid this fate, make sure your production is correctly localised for worldwide markets. Ask us for help, at Skrivanek we are translation specialists, offering, among others, game localisation and website translation.
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