Pixel perfect: Video game films that aren't awful

Back in the 1990s, this martial arts video game was all the rage. The same can't be said for the movie version, which starred Scott Wolff, Mark Dacascos, Alyssa Milano and Robert Patrick. After a major earthquake left 2007 Los Angeles in a somewhat post-apocalyptic state, an underground group of punks challenged the overbearing authority figures poised to rule the city. Of course, the martial-arts-related action and fight scenes reign supreme and salvage a good deal of the movie.

If people weren't playing Double Dragon in the early-to-mid 1990s, there's good chance Street Fighter was the prefered choice for action gamers. So, it was not a surprise that than action was made based on the video. And, starring one of the biggest action-film stars of the day in Jean-Claude Van Damme. But, like most other movies on this list, reviews weren't great, but Van Damme held his own as a Colonel trying to bring down a dictator and drug lord, with the help of two street fighters. Now, an expected remake of the movie due out in 2026.

There have been several Mortal Kombat -related movies through the years, but this original remains the best of the lot, but not the last time we'll highlight the franchise of films. Though, again, critics issued mixed reviews on the quality of the movie based on the mega-popular video game and the martial arts tournament it glamourizes. Linden Ashby, Bridgette Wilson, and Christopher Lambert are the most prominent stars involved in a movie that made $122.2 million up against a $20 million budget. 

The movie that kicked off the film series of the popular video game series about British archaeologist  Lara Croft, a female Indiana Jones if one will. Though in better shape. Angelina Jolie played the character in this action-adventure film, for which she was praised for her performance.  Even if the the overall plot and storyline (Croft battling the Illuminati to find important artifacts) were panned for their inconsistencies. The movie was also a commercial hit, making $274.7 million worldwide.

To date, there have been seven films within the Resident Evil franchise of this particular medium. Of course, zombie survival has been quite popular with gamers and filmgoers alike. When it comes to the big screen, the Resident Evil movies have achieved various levels of critical and box office success. That said, the original gets our praise. It stars Milla Jovovich in the role of the amnesiac heroine Alice, which was created for the film series. Michelle Rodriguez and  Eric Mabius also star in the first installment, which made $103 million.

With an all-star cast that includes Jake Gyllenhaal,   Ben Kingsley,  Gemma Arterton, and Alfred Molina, it's no wonder this movie take on the video game based on the many versions/lives of Persia's famed prince made roughly $336.4 million worldwide. The action movie does a fine job of mixing action, drama, and even some humor, all of which cater to an audience that doesn't need to be familiar with the popular video game series. 

Interesting to note, that the original Tron  movie from 1982 inspired the popular video game that came out shortly after. In turn, the cult-favorite status of that film and the continued love of the video game series, led to this sequel -- which is enough to qualify for our list. Jeff Bridges  and Bruce Boxleitner returned to reprise their roles for the first movie, but souped-up special effects within this virtual reality storyline make for a more entertaining viewing experience. Internationally, the movie made $400 million.

Sure, the Adam Sandler comedy was not based on one specific video game, but features characters from some of the classics. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Galaga and Q*Bert are among the most popular games featured within a story where aliens think these characters are part of a United States' declaration of war. Now, Pixels should not be taken seriously, and Kevin James as the President of the United States? Oh boy! Actually, there have been worse presidents to grace the big screen, and James' President Cooper is an everyman who becomes elected the leader of the free world but has to prove his worth.

This twofer is only natural, considering both are fun movies that relate to moviegoers of all ages. Birds versus pigs is a concept that has had millions of fans playing the game for years then pretty much loving these two movies (the first one a little more than the sequel) that were spawned from the original video game form. Big-time Hollywood types Jason Sudeikis,   Josh Gad,   Danny McBride,  and  Bill Hader star in both movies, that put together, made more than $534 million in box office sales around the world. 

Casual, adult fans of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson might not realize this sci-fi monster action movie was based on a popular video game where humans turn into oversized animal-like monsters to take on cities and wreak havoc on authority figures. In the movie, Johnson's Davis Okoye is a former soldier-turned-primatologist who tries to help prevent the same thing from happening, though the main antagonist is a gorilla in danger of turning into a raging menace. The movie grossed more than $428 million worldwide.

After Angelina Jolie starred in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and the 2003 sequel Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life, the film franchise went and got a new look and reboot with Tomb Raider. Academy Award-winning Swedish actress Alicia Vikander in the title role as Lara Croft gets to the bottom of her father's disappearance. The movie was better received critically than the sequel movie, though there are two camps as to whether Jolie or Vikander is the best fit to play Lara Croft.

The first live-action movie to be made based on the popular Pokémon  game, or within the entertainment franchise of the brand. This was a big deal to the massive fans of the product, so why not hire one of the hottest actors of the day, Ryan Reynolds, in the lead role. Pikachu is tasked with helping partner and friend Tim Goodman, an aspiring  Pokémon trainer, find his missing father. The movie and Reynolds were nominated for People's Choice and Teen Choice Awards. It's the second-highest-grossing movie based on a video game at $450.1 million in box office sales.

One of the most popular video game characters of all time, Sonic is an icon. And, his transition over to the big screen has tarnished his legacy. In the first installment of this live-action action movie franchise, Sonic helps Sheriff Tom Wachowski (James Marsden) defeat mad scientist Dr. Robotnik, (Jim Carrey). In the sequel two years later, Sonic and pals try to get the Master Emerald before Dr. Robotnik does. Each film grossed more than $320 million, and resides among the top 10 for highest-grossing movies based on video games. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is slated to come out in December 2024.

We touched on the original Mortal Kombat movie installment. Was there a need to make more? Perhaps not, but they happened, anyway. The 1997 sequel Mortal Kombat Annihilation bombed, and the release of this reboot, of sorts, took time to actually see the light of day. The result wasn't awful. It's an updated, modernized, and more graphically and artistically pleasing version of the original movie. Again, the action scenes and martial arts performances stand out. The movie was simultaneously released in theaters and via HBO Max, and made $84 million around the globe.

Werewolves Within might not be a familiar title to casual gamers, but there's strong enough of a following to make a feature film based on the game. And, fans of the game apparently thought it was a good idea, since the film was deemed a success by audiences, and even some critics. Starring Milana Vayntrub, better known as Lilly from those AT&T commercials, the movie version follows citizens of a small Vermont town that might have a werewolf amid the mix following a severe snowstorm. 

The popular treasure-hunting video game certainly got its due, reaching the masses with this successful film version. It also helps that internationally successful movie stars Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg serve as the two main characters who are in a race -- and battle -- to locate the treasure of the Magellan expedition. As of November 2024, the movie was the fifth-highest-grossing picture based on a video game, making a cool $407.1 million around the world. 

For years now, Five Nights at Freddy's has been all the rage for middle school and teen audiences and fans. Among those whose parents allow them to play the game or watch the related supernatural horror flick like this one. In this case, the plot of the movie is rather unique, with a troubled security guard (Josh Hutcherson) at an abandoned pizzeria, where the animatronic mascots come to life while possessed. There are certainly some frightening moments, but the film is more intriguing than anything else.

It should be noted that the 1993 live-action Super Mario Bros. movie is not included on this list. Mostly because it was a commercial flop, and left many fans and critics surprised Nintendo would go down that road again with The Super Mario Bros. Movie . However, the gambling essentially paid off with prominent Hollywood names like Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, and Fred Armisen lending their voices to this animated adventure-comedy from 2023. Though reviews were mixed, the movie made $1.36 billion around the world, making it the highest-grossing film based on a video game.

So, this likely under-the-radar film is not like most of the movies highlighted on this list. Tetris is an intriguing biopic about how various investors sought the rights for the possible puzzle video game from Russia during the Cold War days of the 1980s. One of the principal figures is Henk Rogers (played quite well by Eddie the Eagle and Rocketman star Taron Egerton), the prominent video game designer, who is in the thick of the race to acquire the rights to Tetris.  

Another biopic based on a video game. In the case, Gran Turismo chronicles, in a very Hollywood-type of way, the story of British teenager  Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), who played the popular racing game and eventually became a professional driver in real life. The movie, which also features Orlando Bloom and Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, received mixed reviews, but was consistently praised for the racing scenes and the direction from Neill Blomkamp ( District 9, Elysium).