Every time Hollywood makes a movie based on a video game franchise, you hear people say, “Can you believe they made a movie out of that?” I’ve definitely heard the question asked about the newest version of Super Mario Bros., which was released in April and only has 55% on Rotten Tomatoes.
But that’s a somewhat strange question because Hollywood has been making movies about video games for decades — and many of them have been successful and well-liked!
Take a look at this list of video game movies–and their Rotten Tomatoes scores–from best to worst reviewed. My biggest takeaway is that Hollywood definitely likes making video game movies, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to get good reviews. A few films, however, stand above the others.
Pokemon Detective Pikachu (2019): 68% Fresh
The live-action and animation hybrid movie follows Tim Goodman and the talking Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) as they solve a mystery in the Pokémon universe.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020): 64% Fresh
The live-action movie features the beloved blue hedgehog as he teams up with a human cop to stop the evil Dr. Robotnik from using his powers to take over the world. The sequel came out in 2022 and had a 69% on Rotten Tomatoes. A third film is forthcoming.
Mortal Kombat (2021): 54% Rotten
This recent release is a reboot of the popular fighting game series and follows a group of fighters as they compete in a deadly tournament to defend Earthrealm against the evil forces of Outworld.
Uncharted (2022): 41% Rotten
Nathan Drake, a street-smart thief played by Tom Holland, gets recruited by Mark Wahlberg’s “Sully,” who claims to have known Drake’s missing older brother. Their plan for one big heist turns into a fight for survival — and $5 billion in treasure.
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (2010): 35%
The movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a rogue prince who teams up with a princess to stop an evil ruler from unleashing the power of an ancient artifact and rewinding time.
Resident Evil (2002): 35% Rotten
Based on the popular survival horror game franchise, the movie follows a group of soldiers as they navigate an underground research facility after a virus outbreak turns the staff and scientists into flesh-eating zombies. There have been 6 more Resident Evil movies since, including a reboot in 2001, which had a 54% score.
Silent Hill (2001): 31% Rotten
Based on the horror game franchise, the movie follows a mother as she searches for her missing daughter in a foggy, deserted town filled with grotesque monsters and twisted supernatural forces.
Warcraft (2016): 29% Rotten
Based on the massively popular online role-playing game, this epic fantasy adventure tells the story of two factions, the orcs and humans, as they clash in a battle for survival and control over the land of Azeroth.
Need for Speed (2014): 22% Rotten
The movie stars Aaron Paul as a street racer who joins a cross-country race to get revenge on a wealthy rival who framed him for a crime he didn’t commit.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001): 20% Rotten
Based on one of the most popular game characters of all time, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starred Angelina Jolie as a woman whose adventures take her around the world as she attempts to save everyone from a terrible fate. A sequel came out in 2003, and a reboot in 2018 earned 53%.
Assassin’s Creed (2016): 19% Rotten
This action-packed movie stars Michael Fassbender as a man who uses a revolutionary technology to experience the memories of his assassin ancestors and prevent a deadly conspiracy from unfolding.
Doom (2005): 18% Rotten
The movie follows a group of Marines as they battle an outbreak of genetically-engineered monsters on a Martian research facility, inspired by the popular first-person shooter game series.
Max Payne (2008): 15% Rotten
This action thriller stars Mark Wahlberg as a cop who seeks revenge for the murder of his family, uncovering a conspiracy involving a new designer drug called Valkyr.
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