Best video game adaptations: Proof that they don’t have to be terrible
It's game on for these movies and shows
Over the last few years, video game adaptations have quietly gone from being a Hollywood punchline to one of the entertainment industry’s safest bets. What was once a graveyard of baffling creative decisions and cursed casting choices has suddenly turned into a gold rush, with studios scrambling to turn beloved franchises into prestige TV and blockbuster cinema.
The pipeline is only getting busier. Prime Video is already gearing up to swing big with God of War, bringing Kratos’ myth-soaked father-son saga to live-action, while a Baldur’s Gate project is rumbling into development following the colossal success of Baldur’s Gate 3. Add in everything from Horizon and Mass Effect to rumoured projects tied to other major franchises, and it’s clear the industry has fully clocked that video games aren’t just source material anymore, they’re cultural heavyweights with built-in fanbases and sprawling, ready-made worlds.
That said, for every adaptation that lands like a critical darling, there are still plenty that faceplant spectacularly. The history of video game projects is littered with films and shows that misunderstood the tone, flattened the characters or simply treated the original material like a vague suggestion rather than something worth respecting.
Yet, when it works, it really works. And as studios continue digging through gaming’s back catalogue looking for the next crossover hit, a handful of adaptations have already proven that translating games to screen doesn’t have to end in disaster. Here are our favourites.
9. Mortal Kombat (2021)
Mortal Kombat (2021) proves that even the goriest, most over-the-top fighting games can be translated to the big screen with effectively. Leaning into the franchise’s trademark brutal combat and iconic characters, the film delivers exactly what fans want: high-octane fights, over-the-top special moves, and nods to the game’s most legendary Fatalities.
The movie shines in its action sequences, particularly Scorpion vs. Sub-Zero, which capture the spirit of the games while looking spectacular on screen. Die-hard fans will love the faithful touches, while newcomers can still enjoy the chaotic fun of the world and the larger-than-life characters. It’s a bold, adrenaline-fuelled adaptation that is far from perfect
8. Detective Pikachu
Detective Pikachu was the video game adaptation fans never knew they needed. Loosely based on the 2016 3DS spin-off, the film pairs Ryan Reynolds’ surprisingly charismatic Pikachu with a live-action world full of realistic CGI Pokémon.
The movie succeeds because it leans into its charm rather than trying to retell the Pokémon mainline games’ sprawling narrative. The city of Ryme City is alive and bustling, packed with hidden details for fans, while the buddy dynamic between Tim and Pikachu anchors the story emotionally. It’s a family-friendly blockbuster with just enough clever references and visual spectacle to make it fun for longtime players and casual audiences alike, proving that even the most whimsical game worlds can work on the big screen when handled with care.
7. Castlevania
Castlevania is a rare example of a video game adaptation that really gets both the style and the substance right. Drawing heavily from the gothic horror and medieval fantasy of the original Konami games, the show translates its dark, atmospheric world into stunning animation, while keeping the brutal, high-stakes action front and centre.
Between the meticulously crafted visuals, the faithful adaptation of the game’s lore, and the emotionally resonant arcs, Castlevania stands as one of the most impressive animated video game adaptations ever made, showing that with care and respect for the source material, games can translate to screen with thrilling results.
6. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Netflix and Studio Trigger’s Cyberpunk: Edgerunners proved that the Cyberpunk universe could work brilliantly outside of video games. Set in Night City, the 10-episode anime follows David, a street-smart teen who turns to the dangerous life of an “edgerunner” after a series of brutal personal losses. With a sharp eye on character development and world-building, the series blends high-octane action with emotional stakes, giving viewers a story that’s gripping whether they’ve played Cyberpunk 2077 or not.
The show’s standout feature is its visual style: a dazzling, neon-drenched cityscape combined with over-the-top cybernetic action that feels like the game’s universe distilled into anime form. Yet beneath the spectacle, Edgerunners never loses sight of its heart, exploring themes of loyalty, ambition, and the human cost of living in a society driven by corporate greed. For fans of the game, it’s a feast of Easter eggs and familiar tech; for newcomers, it’s an accessible, emotionally resonant introduction to the world of Cyberpunk.
5. Sonic the Hedgehog
The Sonic the Hedgehog films are proof that listening to fans can genuinely save a franchise. After the original character design sparked near-universal outrage, the studio hit pause, reworked Sonic’s look and completely shifted the conversation before the first film even hit cinemas. That course correction paid off, turning what looked like a potential disaster into a surprisingly fun, family-friendly series that’s now grown into a full-blown trilogy.
Across the three films, Sonic has leaned into light, self-aware humour, colourful action and a tone that feels true to the games without taking itself too seriously. Jim Carrey’s gloriously unhinged take on Dr Robotnik became a major highlight, while the introduction of fan-favourite characters like Tails, Knuckles and Shadow helped deepen the universe without overcomplicating it. None of the films are aiming for prestige drama, but as big, energetic crowd-pleasers, the Sonic trilogy stands as one of the most consistently successful video game adaptations.
4. The Last of Us
Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and original The Last of Us creator Neil Druckmann managed to pull off something genuinely rare here: a video game adaptation that feels completely at home on prestige television while staying deeply respectful to the source material. Set in a brutal post-pandemic America overrun by a fungal infection that turns humans into monstrous hosts, the series follows hardened smuggler Joel and teenage survivor Ellie as they travel across the country in search of a possible cure.
What makes The Last of Us stand out is how confidently it expands on the game’s world without losing its tone. The show gives side characters and storylines extra breathing room, while still recreating several iconic moments that longtime fans instantly recognised. Crucially, it never feels like homework for newcomers, which helped it break through as a major mainstream hit. With huge viewing numbers, critical acclaim and further seasons already planned, HBO has firmly landed one of the strongest and most emotionally grounded video game adaptations ever made.
3. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
After the long shadow cast by the famously bizarre 1993 live-action attempt, expectations for another Super Mario film were understandably cautious. Thankfully, the animated The Super Mario Bros. Movie took the opposite approach, leaning fully into the colourful, chaotic charm that made the games iconic in the first place.
Rather than overcomplicating the story, the film keeps things simple and fast-moving, packing in references, familiar settings and musical nods that longtime fans immediately recognised. The bright animation style mirrors the look and energy of modern Mario games, while the humour and pace make it accessible for younger audiences and nostalgic older players alike. It may not reinvent storytelling, but it absolutely nails the tone of the franchise, helping it become one of the most commercially successful video game adaptations ever.
2. Fallout
Fallout looked like a tough game to adapt, thanks to its player-driven storytelling and odd mix of bleak apocalypse and dark humour. Prime Video sidestepped that problem by telling a fresh story within the universe rather than copying a specific game.
By respecting the world without overloading viewers with lore, Fallout became one of the clearest examples of a video game adaptation that genuinely works, and the recently finished second season continued to stay on message.
1. Arcane
There was understandable scepticism when Netflix announced it was turning League of Legends into a TV series. The game’s dense lore and massive roster of characters don’t exactly scream easy viewing for newcomers, but Arcane quickly proved those fears wrong. Set between the gleaming city of Piltover and the struggling undercity of Zaun, the show focuses on sisters Vi and Jinx, using their fractured relationship to anchor a story that blends political tension, action and genuinely emotional character drama.
Originally released to mark the game’s tenth anniversary, Arcane ended up becoming far more than a celebratory spin-off. The striking, painterly animation style gives the series a distinct cinematic feel, while the storytelling remains accessible even if you’ve never touched the game. Across two seasons, it’s widely become one of the strongest examples of a video game adaptation that works on its own terms, and one that raised the bar for everything that followed.
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