7 Movies that later turned into popular video games

Movies always have a way of capturing our hearts, and sometimes they take it a few steps further, inspiring video games so that we can be part the adventure. It's like cueing the lights, rolling the camera, unleashing the action and the controller is in your hands. Although, it isn’t that easy to take the leap from a big screen to a controller platform; it’s like forcing an elephant into a small box.

Some movie-based games are really good, the games have perfectly grabbed the essence of the movie but some games are simply bad decisions. When they successfully capture the essence of the film, the game is always a big hit and a gesture of affection to the fans. This expansion of a movie franchise into a video game matters because there’s already an established universe, well-known characters, recognizable landscapes and plots that are already imprinted in our brains.

Some of the great games didn’t just replicate the movie, they let their fans discover different aspects of the story, that the movie couldn’t cover in theaters. Definitely, not all leaps from movie to game work were successful, some crash really hard but when they become successful, they pull us in every time.

So, let’s explore 7 movies that successfully replaced movies with code.

7 movies that were made into successful video games

X-Men origins: Wolverine

A raw contribution in a heroic epic, uncovering the razor-sharp past of everyone’s favorite, the one and only Wolverine. Featuring Hugh Jackman as Logan, the movie explored Logan’s past life and his painful transformation into the adamantium-clawed fighter and was packed with snarls that could make a grizzly rethink its claim to its territory. Filled with action, treachery and a bit of exaggerated Sabretooth. It was a blockbuster movie that brought claws to the table.

The video game, X-men Origins: Wolverine – Uncaged Edition, hit the market in parallel to the movie. Unlike most of these, this movie-to-game leap was not a disaster at all, this one was actually quite impressive. Players took control of Wolverine, tearing through enemies with exciting combos, Wolverine healed through wound recovery abilities and battled gigantic foes that will make you question the filmmakers. Why didn't they have giant mutant-hunting robots in the movie?

The movie and game together solidified Wolverine’s lasting attraction in pop culture, which proved that movies and games can sometimes team up.

Scarface

Al Pacino’s Tony Montana crashed the theaters in 1983 like a frenzied high-speed force. In Scarface, Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant turned into a savage drug dealer. It was a cultural sensation with its raw story, radiant Miami backdrop and striking dialogues like “Say Hello to my little friend”. This film left a long-lasting impact on pop culture, with its gritty representation of drug dealing and its aftereffects securing its place as a legendary film.

Now let's go forward to 2006, when Scarface: The World Is Yours arrived on PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC, and sparkled to life in a new digital landscape. Followed by the film’s climactic shootout, the game envisioned Tony surviving and working to rebuild his empire, it was like a sassy sequel to the movie. Players were roaming an expansive Miami landscape, plunging into drug deals and missions inspired by the movie’s themes.

The game was styled by maintaining the film’s aesthetic, with flashy neon lights, 80’s extravagance, and a nostalgic soundtrack from that era, while enhancing it all with Al Pacino’s image. Fans eagerly embraced the chance to experience Tony’s legendary flair, making the game an overnight sensation. With its powerful storytelling, Scarface has thrived in different mediums, while maintaining its fearless and gritty style.

John Wick

John Wick, starring Keanu Reeves, was about a man who will make you think a thousand times before touching his car or his dog. The John Wick film franchise celebrated for its nonstop action, has left an enduring legacy on pop culture. Its rich underworld story and “gun-fu” fights made the movie famous, which inspired the game John Wick Hex, a game that transformed fast-paced action into a methodical adventure.

This game was not like any other action-packed adaption. John Wick Hex was a game that expressed the film’s battle strategy. It was a timeframe-based strategy game released in 2019, where players can control Jhon Wick on a hex grid tactical map. Highlighting the importance of accuracy and tactical resource handling, like restricted ammo, the game has replicated every fight sequence of the movie, each and every action from evading attacks to taking shots.

The game is set before the John Wick movies, where John Wick was on a mission to save Winston and Charon from Hex, a new villain portrayed vocally by Troy Baker. Ian McShane and Lane Reddick also returned to their famous role. Though it wasn’t a direct adaption from the movie, John Wick Hex has expanded the John Wick universe. By offering fans a new way to reincarnate the Baba Yaga it proved that the film’s dynamic force can translate into an interactive experience.

Little Nemo: Adventure In Slumberland

A delightful animated movie, Little Nemo: Adventure In Slumberland was released in 1989. A boy named Nemo has inspiring dreams from a famous comic strip by Winsor McCay. The movie narrates a story in which Nemo travels to a magical place where he meets with King Morpheus, Princess Camille and a comic character named Flip. Together with them, he faced many adventures and even visited the frightening nightmare land to save the king.

This movie was unique because it merged Japanese and American animation. Prominent figures like Ray Bradbury and Chris Columbus had been involved for several years in creating this movie. Its catchy songs were musical treat by the Sherman Brothers. Although it wasn’t a big hit in theaters, it gained popularity on DVD and VHS, winning over kids with its vibrant visuals and enchanting story.

Little Nemo: The Dream Master, a video game inspired by the movie, was released by the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1990. Nemo was controlled by the players as he explored several dream worlds, developed by Capcom. The game was an enduring platformer, celebrated for its innovative levels and testy gameplay. The movie and game both brought Nemo’s dream to life and solidified their status as adored classics for animation film lovers and retro gaming fans.

King Kong

King Kong, a mighty beast with a heart bigger than his stature, which captured his fans with its skyscraper scaling and sky plane-sweating antics, was first launched into movies in 1933. Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B.’s original King Kong was a blend of pioneering stop motion effects and raw, primal narrative. A land full of prehistoric horrors, Skull Island was introduced to the world. But Kong was dragged to a Broadway show, that led him to his iconic battle against biplanes atop the Empire State Building.

The film’s success paved the way for several remakes, including Peter Jackson’s 2005 epic, which stoodout for its profound CGI to explore Kong’s emotional journey and grand spectacles. These movies not only thrilled fans but also led to several adaptions, including video game versions. As King Kong transformed from movie to game it became an interactive entertainment, with Ubisoft’s 2005 adaption earning critical praise.

Players were alternating between two roles, Kong’s role in third person battle sequences and Jack’s Discroll in first person survival oriented sequences. The game represented the film’s vibrant Skull Island setting, with great visuals and intense combat sequences against dinosaurs and hostile natives. Kong’s adventures proved one thing, whether he’s winning hearts or toppling cities, this Gorilla is unstoppable.

The Mummy 2017

In The Mummy, Tom Cruise dodged ancient curses and pulled off intense zero-gravity stunts. While on a mission, a thrill sicking soldier Nick Morton unintentionally released Princess Ahmanet, a verdict mummy from the past. According to critics, it was more of a lifeless crawl than an adventure. Even the star of the cherished classics, critisized it for forgetting the fun of the 90’s classic version.

But hold up, The Mummy Demastered appeared as a video game that soared from the film’s wreckage like a blocky phoenix. WayForward’s 2017 pixelated adventure classic, lets people forget Tom Cruise’s intense stare, with a 16-bit side scrolling twist. The game was more focused on a Prodigium soldier’s fight against swarms of unhead, rather than Cruise’s character, in a classic pixel art universe.

The game was praised for its moody aesthetics, crisp controls, and non-linear gameplay, which frequently suppresed the movie it was based on. The game’s breakthrough highlighed that how movies can encourage innovative versions, even when the fundamental work stumbled. The Mummy and its game have offered a thrilling, albeit imperfect, exploration of the supernatural, for action horror fans.

The Lord Of The Rings - The Two Towers

Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers | Image Via: New Line Cinema

The iconic screen legend, a bedrock of fantasy movies, followed Frodo and Sam’s quest into the enemy’s land, as their allies Aragon Legolas, and Gimli confront Saruman’s legions. The Two Towers is the middle chapter of the trilogy, Lord Of The Rings, adapted from J.R.R Tolkien’s classic novel. Thrilling battle scenes and heartfelt moments most notably Helm’s Deep, captured viewers and set the stage for the popular video game.

Inspired by its complex narrative and vast realm, the developer of EA Games, developed a Game called The Lord Of The Rings: Two Towers, in 2002. It defied the standard movie tie-in trend, it successfully merged blended hack-and-slash action with the depth of Tolkien’s universe. Featuring seamless battles, breathtaking visuals and voiceovers from the original cast made the game a critical and commercial hit. The Two Towers game and movie both complemented the franchise’s cultural significance.