Video game movies are known to be lackluster. Some could have been hits with the right filmmakers, but for the most part, video game movies do not make for exceptional entertainment. There's just something about them, almost as if Hollywood has no faith in the idea of video game adaptations and fails to put any real effort into them.
But that's not to say they're all bad. Most video game movies are considered terrible, but there are a rare few that are actually worth watching. These aren't Oscar-winning movies by any means, but they still make for solid entertainment.
Mortal Kombat (1995)
Rent On Apple TV
Reddit user LupinThe8th writes, "I genuinely thought [Mortal Kombat] was a masterpiece when I was 10. As an adult, I still think it's probably the best possible MK movie we could get, barring an ultraviolent R-Rated gore-fest that no studio would ever greenlight."
Mortal Kombat is often held in high regard within the video game community, known far and wide for its solid fight choreography and general cheesiness. It also has a great score from George S. Clinton, whose main theme is now an iconic piece of the franchise.
Silent Hill (2006)
Stream On Starz
Redditor A_Dog_Chasing_Cars writes, "I really like Silent Hill...as a horror movie, I thought it was good. Not perfect, but it did a lot of things well; atmosphere, creepiness, good effects, the self-righteous religious sect was well done, fairly good acting." Silent Hill largely gets by on its creepy atmosphere and imaginative visual effects.
The story can be a little hard to follow, but there's no denying that the movie is made well and with care. It has some unbelievable uses of practical effects, and some of the designs are undeniably terrifying.
Need For Speed (2014)
Rent On Vudu
It would be hard to make an adaptation of the Need for Speed franchise without it coming across as a cheap Fast and Furious knockoff but they arguably managed to get it done. Redditor BlueHighwindz writes, "I thought Need for Speed was a legitimately fun love letter to muscle cars and gear heads. The movie hits all the icons of American car culture."
It's a great movie for those who love cars (especially nice cars), and it's aided by a committed lead performance from Aaron Paul.
Doom (2005)
Stream On Max Go & HBO Max
This deleted Reddit user writes, "I can understand why people didn't like [Doom], but I enjoyed it. The first-person shooter scene was great and didn't drag on too much."
Doom is indeed remembered for two primary things - the presence of The Rock, and the first-person shooter sequence. Running about five minutes in length, the first-person sequence nicely honored the history of the video game franchise while doing something fresh and interesting for the movie industry.
Tomb Raider (2018)
Stream On TNT, TBS, & TruTV
In 2018, Alicia Vikander took over the Lara Croft reigns from Angelina Jolie, as the Tomb Raider movie series was being rebooted. Redditor Marin013 was a fan, writing, "I thought the new Tomb Raider was pretty good. Very true to the game and had a fairly decent script."
Tomb Raider is arguably one of the better video game adaptations. The production values are quite good, the thrilling sense of adventure is there, and Vikander makes for a fantastic Lara Croft. It was arguably one of the best adventure movies of 2018.
Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time (2010)
Stream On Disney+
This is likely one of those Jake Gyllenhaal roles you forgot about. He plays Prince Dastan, the titular Prince of Persia. Redditor TreyWriter is a fan of the movie, writing, "I was pleasantly surprised by Prince of Persia. Not groundbreaking, but a pleasant couple of hours of you’re looking for some swashbuckling fun."
It's an old school swashbuckler in all the best possible ways, and it's aided by the presence of Gyllenhaal. It's a well made movie that also happens to be a lot of fun. And as such, it's way better than most video game adaptations.
Resident Evil (2002)
Stream On Hulu, Epix, & Paramount+
A deleted Reddit user states, "[Resident Evil is] one of the only ones that functioned as a movie within the four corners of the screen regardless of whether or not the audience had played the game...the core of the film's plot was conveyed on the screen and then end result worked in a way that a lot of these adaptions don't."
Resident Evil is a relatively solid horror movie that nicely mixes scary thrills with video game action, and it makes for a very good zombie film that can stand on its own.
Hitman (2007)
Stream On HBO Max & Max Go
Redditor KylosApprentice writes, "Hitman starring Timothy Olyphant." Unfortunately, they fail to go into further detail explaining why they enjoy the film. However, the movie has been praised for a few key aspects.
Some fans of the game love the movie's use of violence, as it is in keeping with the franchise's focus on contract killings (and the chaos that often erupts upon a failed mission). And Timothy Olyphant is also fantastic, as he often is. He makes for a great Agent 47, and fans of the games couldn't have asked for more.
Super Mario Bros. (1993)
Not Available To Stream
Reddit user housethatjacobbuilt is a fan of the Super Mario Bros. movie, writing, "It's certainly not great, and it's not a good adaptation of the game, but the Super Mario Bros. movie is actually a lot of fun. It's its own unique thing."
Unique is certainly a good way to describe the Super Mario Bros. movie. There's nothing else like it, and it comes across as a wonderfully creative fever dream populated by great actors like Bob Hoskins, John Leguizamo, and Dennis Hopper.
Sonic The Hedgehog (2020)
Stream On Hulu, Epix, & Paramount+
No one really thought that Sonic the Hedgehog would make for a good adaptation, but they was wrong. As Redditor listenup78 writes, "Sonic the Hedgehog is king of the adaptations."
The movie was an unexpected critical success, with many people praising the visuals, fun road trip story, and the typically manic performance of Jim Carrey. It's the type of video game adaptation that nails the perfect balance between gaming wackiness and down-to-earth, human-centered drama. All said, it's a very enjoyable family movie.