While I was re-organizing my vast DVD collection over the weekend, I came across quite a few movies that were originally video game titles first. So, what did I do? I went on the web to search for other films that have been based on video games, and I found a lot. In fact, there were some that I didn’t even know were ever made into movies (or movies that I didn’t know were video games). Why didn’t anyone tell me there was a Far Cry movie?! 

In this post, I’ve listed 5 video game titles that were based on original video games and brought to the big screen. Now, I know that some of these movies are questionable when it comes to their execution and how they chose to interpret the game. However, one thing that I think we all can agree on is that each of these games are popular and still fun to play, even today. 

If you have any thoughts on the titles listed below or have another favorite game that was turned into a movie, be sure to list them for me in the comments section after you’ve read through this post.

With that, let’s get to the good stuff, starting with #5!

5. Need for Speed

I used to get bored pretty easily with racing games. That is until I played Need for Speed Underground 2 in 2004. Since then, I’ve pretty much played them all. I like the freedom that these games give you. Other racing games prior would limit you to a track and just let you basically drive in circles. I think this game series really set the precedent for all other titles in the racing genre, and it even inspired Hollywood to make a movie about it as well. While I can’t picture Aaron Paul as anyone else except Jesse Pinkman (from Breaking Bad), I have to say that the Need for Speed movie made back in 2014 did a solid job of bringing the video game to life. The cars were fast, the stunts were great and there was actually a good story underneath it all. Not bad for a first try.

4. Tomb Raider

I actually had this game on a demo disc that came with my first game console (Sega Dreamcast). At the time, I was hesitant to try it out. I guess playing as a girl didn’t really appeal to me, but once I saw Lara Croft wielding those duel pistols, I figured that I couldn’t go wrong. After all, running, jumping and shooting would always impress me, especially at the age of nine. It wasn’t until years later that I realized that this game inspired a movie version, which starred Angelina Jolie as the title character. More recently, the movie series was revamped in 2018 with Alicia Vikander playing Lara Croft. Just like the games, the movies are full of fun, adventure and non-stop action. I’m hoping that they continue this most recent film series.

3. Max Payne

Everyone always says that books are always better than their movie versions. In this case, the game is far better than the movie version. Max Payne was one of my favorite games when it first came out. In fact, I think it was the first game I got when I upgraded to my first Xbox console. We’re talking around 2003 here. I probably played through and completed the story 20 times over, no joke. It even got to the point where I remembered every line and phrase. When I heard that they were making a movie of it with Mark Wahlberg, I was kind of on the fence.

The game itself was written like a movie (or graphic novel) and seems too perfect to re-create in my mind. Don’t get me wrong, the movie is action-packed and has all the elements that made the game(s) great, but I felt that it could’ve used a little more. All in all, I’m glad they at least attempted to bring this iconic character to life on the big screen. Let me know what you think down in the comments.

2. Hitman

Before this game, I was used to full-blown shoot’em up games that encouraged running and gunning with no real strategy needed. So, when I tried a Hitman game (Hitman 2) for the first time, you can imagine how different it was for me. In fact, I would just run into every contract with guns blazing just like every other game I had played previously. I soon realized that tact and strategy were the keys to success. However, there were certain contracts that called for a bit more action, which is just what the films depict today. So far, there have been two Hitman movies made that are based on the story and characters from the game. Hitman (2007) and Hitman: Agent 47 (2015). I think anyone who enjoys the games will enjoy the movies as well and vice versa.

1. Mortal Kombat

Well, we’ve probably all heard of this one by now. Believe it or not, I had the movie before I had the game. Actually, I had the movie and my neighbor at the time had the game. So, we would trade off every now and then. Good times! Anyway, Mortal Kombat the game was a big deal back in the day and the movies (from 1995 and 1997) were just as special, at least to me and my friends. We all had our favorite characters/fighters and being able to both watch and play as them was awesome. Cyrax, Scorpion, Sub-Zero and Liu Kang were our favorites. Today, the game has changed a bit. Part of me wishes we could have played as The Terminator, Robocop or even Batman in the games back then. But nothing beats those old-school characters that made the games and the movies what they are today. I’ve even heard that a new Mortal Kombat movie is set to be released in 2021. I’m so looking forward to it!

I know that there are many more movies out there that are based on video games, so if your favorite isn’t highlighted on this list, be sure to leave it in the comments for me. Also, if you have played and/or seen these titles, let me know what you thought of them and how the movies compare to their original games. 

I thank you for joining me in this fun post!

Until we meet again,

Vince the Prince