19 movies and shows that you’ll be surprised to know, are adapted from video games 

Cinema often finds inspiration from the most unexpected of places. Usually what we see on the screen is not just an adaptation of a script, sometimes they are created from books, real-life stories, and even unexpectedly – video games. Video games have taken the world by storm. Especially the Gen Z, born and brought up in the era of computers, spends a lot of time playing these games. They have gained so much popularity that people have started adapting them in the form of media. Here is a list of 90 movies and shows that you will be surprised to know, are adapted from video games.

19) Alone in the Dark (2005)

Alone in the Dark, is a 2005 film which is inspired by a survival, horror video game series of the same name. It is about a supernatural investigator, Detective Edward Carnby, and his journey as he uncovers a mystery from his childhood. The film has a very sci-fi appeal to it and through back stories, gives the feel of being in a game series. It is about the supernatural versus science and the constant fear of the unknown amidst it all.

18) Dead Trigger (2017)

Dead Trigger is a popular video game about killing zombies. It is a fast, action-packed game that requires shooting zombies and completing levels in a post-apocalyptic world. In 2017, a movie was made on this video game about a team led by Captain Kyle Walker on a mission to rescue people trapped by the zombies. Although a low-budget production, this movie is loved by a lot of people, especially because of its themes of apocalypse, survival, heroism, sacrifice, and various other themes found in dystopian movies.

17) Assassin’s Creed (2016)

Assassin's Creed was a very famous movie of 2016. Starring Callum Lynch, the movie is about a descendant of the great assassin of the 15th century, Spain, who in the modern day embraces his legacy as he uncovered a secret about a powerful artifact that is posing a threat to today's world. This movie was based on a very popular video game of the same name. The movie deals with issues of legacy and identity in how feeling attach to your lineage can be very important.

16) Street Fighter (1994)

Street Fighter was a video game about one-on-one martial fighting. The goal was to win tournaments and go ahead. The 1994 film is an adaptation of this iconic game and is about a military force, stopping a kidnapper through these means. The movie follows the classic theme of good versus evil and also incorporates revenge and secret agendas, making it a thrill-filled action film. It shows how working together as a team to fight a common enemy can be quite beneficial.

15) Max Payne (2008)

Max Payne was a video game about a former NYPD detective, Max Payne, who is on a journey of vengeance, to avenge the murder of his family. This video game had built a very vivid world, filled with scenes of corruption, and crime, and had even incorporated drug abuse through the use of a fictional drug called – Valkyr which induced hallucinations. The film Max Payne follows this similar plotline but includes a plethora of new and much more profound characters. It is a movie about loss, grief, and how they give rise to revenge.

14) Hitman (2007)

Hitman was a video game about Agent 47. Agent 47 is a genetically engineered, assassin. He is deathly, ruthless and is known for his precise targets. In 2007, a film was made based on this video game. It featured Timothy Olyphant as Agent 47 on a mission to uncover the conspiracy and corruption caused by a Russian politician. It is a very well-planned adaptation of a classic video game and manages to attach to it a certain emotional depth that keeps the audience hooked.

13) Need for Speed (2014)

Need for Speed was a car racing game, that was very thrill-inducing, especially because of its incorporation of illegal street races and police chases. When this video game was adapted into a film, starring Aaron Paul and Dominic Cooper, it managed to become an adrenal rush watch just like the video game was for gamers. The movie is about a street racer and a mechanic who find themselves stuck in a conspiracy and fight their way out of it through a cross-country race.

12) Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)

Before Resident Evil became the much-loved classic film series, it used to be a survival, horror video game which was owned by the company – Capcom. The movie is about a city that has a virus outbreak and leaves people quarantined. Those who contact the virus turn into zombies and can turn those trapped in the city into zombies too. This film is about survival and escape and how an evil corporate called - Umbrella, with its disregard for human life, conducts unethical human experimentations.

11) Uncharted (2022)

Unchartered is a 2022 film starring Tom Holland. The film is about Nathan who is a treasure hunter and is recruited to find a legendary treasure, through an adventure filled with traps and tricks. This adventurous film about discovery, mentorship, friendship, greed, and morality is based on a video game of the same name, which was made by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

10) Mortal Kombat (2021)

Mortal Kombat is a video game that includes marital tournaments that have epic consequences and affect various realms of the world. The video game also features powerful characters and is a battle between good versus evil over destiny and duty. A film of the same name was made starring Lewis Tan and is about a fighter who is chosen to protect the Earth's realm from destruction. This is a movie about heritage and legacy and how overcoming your weakness is the first step towards success.

9) Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

Did you know that the iconic film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring none other than Angelina Jolie is based on a video game? The video game was about an adventurous archaeologist, who is navigating a deadly ruin for treasure. The film is adapted features the same plot line, and takes place on an island in the Bermuda Triangle. Besides Angelina Jolie, the film also features, Daniel Craig and Kristin Scott Thomas.

8) Rampage (2018)

Rampage was a video game, featuring gigantic and deathly creatures like gorillas, lizards, and other monsters who destroy cities. The goal of the player was survival and domination. This video game was adapted into a movie of the same name, starring Dwayne Johnson. The film is about a primatologist, trying to save the world from a genetically modified Gorilla. The film has included a narrative depth to the video game and has managed to portray a lot of similar background settings as those in the game.

7) Silent Hill (2006)

The 2006 film, Silent Hill is about a mother searching for her daughter who has sleepwalked into a nearby mysterious town called Silent Hill. This abandoned town is as eerie as it gets, with its fog-covered surroundings. The filmmakers have incorporated various mythical and fantastical elements in the film, including religious cults and witches. This horror film is based on a video game of the same name where you are required to escape the supernatural town.

6) Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

Did you know that the much popular film - Prince of Persia starring Jake Gyllenhaal was based on a video game? This film is about a young prince who is on a Mission to uncover an object that is capable of rewinding time. On his journey, he meets a princess and thus begins a journey filled with love as well as betrayal. The video game on which this movie is based, also features, a prince, who has to navigate various challenges, including time manipulation to win the game and move on to the next level.

5) Halo (2022)

Halo is a television series on Paramount+. This series is based on a video game which is about a super soldier and his AI companion who navigate the universe and fight aliens. The movie features this super soldier played by actor Pablo Schreiber, who is protecting humanity from a lot of extraterrestrial threats. The movie features elements of identity and control with an infusion of rebellion through organized military groups.

4) Free Guy (2021)

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Free Guy released in 2011 was a science fiction action comedy film. The film is based on a combination of different video games and presents a virtual world which becomes the reality of a boy called - Guy. This film is a celebration of video game culture and through this aims to highlight the self-discovery journey a player can go through when he ends up in the game world.

3) Castlevania (2017)

Castlevania is a television series developed by Warren Ellis, which is based on the popular video game of the same name. The series runs on Netflix and is about Trevor Belmont, the last survivor of a vampire hunter family. The film features his journey as he battles, Dracula and frees all humans captured and enslaved by him. The film uses gothic horror to create a vivid world and encapsulates the attention of the audience with its themes of revenge, redemption, power, and corruption.

2) The Last of Us (2023)

The television series – The Last Of Us has become quite popular. This series owes its popularity to the video game on which it is based. The video game was about a post-apocalyptic world where humans are turning into zombies and the players have to control the spread and save the world. The movie runs on a similar plot but has enriched it with deeper back stories to not only the plot but also the characters and also incorporates the devastating impact such horrors can have on the world.

1) Arcane (2021)

Arcane is an animated television series and is based on the popular video game. The series is about two champions from two different cities who enter into a conflict over technological innovation and social divisions. This series is filled with political tension and uses complex themes of class divide, identity, mental struggles, forgiveness, and redemption to make up an enriched TV series that is loved and appreciated by the audience. It is especially appreciated for its animation and character development and has even won a Primetime Emmy.