Video games are a multi-billion-dollar business raking in almost $347 billion globally, but turning these lucrative titles into successful film franchises has been a huge bust, until in recent years. Thanks to the new generation of film creators who grew up playing video games, the days of lackluster spin-offs are over. Big studios are now investing time and resources to give game worlds and characters the adaptations they deserve.
From the lovable action adventure of “Sonic the Hedgehog” to the exploits of Tom Holland in Uncharted, there are plenty of video game adaptations that give you the perfect blend of anticipation and excitement. Here are five most successful video game movies worth watching in 2023.
Mortal Kombat 2021
Directed by Simon McQuoid, Mortal Kombat is an American martial arts fantasy movie that serves as a reboot of the two installments of the video game film series released in the 90s. The film narrates the story of Cole Young, a washed-up MMA fighter who doesn’t know about his hidden lineage and why an assassin is hunting him.
Concerned for his family’s safety, Cole seeks a group of skilled fighters to defend the Earthrealm from the outworld. Despite the critical failure of its predecessor, the third Mortal Kombat movie was largely successful on the big screen, grossing $84.4 million in revenue. That made it the most successful movie launch for HBO Max.
The movie’s success has also inspired casino game developers to develop an online slot game based on the franchise. However, gamblers in Florida will need to look for alternative gaming options at https://www.bestfloridacasinosites.com/, since the state has strong regulations towards casino gambling.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
Although the second release of Sonic the Hedgehog movie isn’t a huge improvement on the 2020 release, the sequel remains cute, charming, and entertaining. The sequel has a strong kid-friendly emphasis on the power of friendship and chosen family, as the more chaotic Dr. Robotnik continues with his obsession to destroy Sonic.
While Sonic’s huge cast of characters seems like a burden for the franchise, the film brilliantly adapted Tails and Knuckles to the big screen. A soft-spoken inventor with the ability to fly, Tails doesn’t have a lot of personality besides his obsession with Sonic, but the film helps to solidify the concept of them being partners and friends.
Uncharted 2022
With laser-guided precision, Uncharted 2022 ticks all the right boxes on what you would expect a film based on a video game to deliver. This big-screen action-adventure movie features Tom Holland as Nathan Drake, with Mark Wahlberg playing the role of Sully Sullivan. The two engage in a world of high-stakes action adventures with the same type of mystery featured in the game.
While some fans may feel a little torn about how the film turned out, the adaptation was still a major success on the big screen. The movie had a huge opening weekend where it raked $44 million in the US and it went ahead to rake in over $300 million globally. These numbers are impressive enough for CEO Tom Rothman to call the movie Sony’s next big franchise, which suggests we might see a sequel in the future.
Gran Turismo (2023)
Although some may argue that Gran Turismo is a film based on a real story, this video game adaption blurs the lines between different niches. After all, we can’t ignore Neill Blomkamp’s efforts to convey the gameplay and the accuracy of the movie compared to Gran Turismo’s real competitions, game mechanics, and places.
While it takes multiple creative licenses, GT follows the story of Jann Mardenborough, who starts as a compulsive gamer and ends up making his dreams of being a professional racer come true. You might question the underdog narrative cliches, but you will want to watch the movie to the end thanks to its incredible driving set pieces.
Super Mario Bros movie (2023)
Unlike the 1993 Super Mario Bros film, the 2023 movie adaptation was created by Nintendo in collaboration with Illumination Studios and the game creator Shigeru Miyamoto. The plot follows the plumber Mario as he’s transported to the mushroom kingdom, which is ruled by Princess Peach.
Mario has to stand against the evil Bowser (played by Jack Black), who has taken his brother Luigi and threatens the existence of this world. The movie became a record-breaking success soon after its release, proving how iconic and beloved the Super Mario game is.
Conclusion
With the relentless pursuit of geek culture milking older movie franchises like Star Wars and Ghostbusters completely dry, there’s a huge potential for story expansion in the video game market. Thanks to the new generation of filmmakers, these video game adaptations immerse you in a dynamic world where breathtaking landscapes, iconic characters, and memorable adventures transcend the boundaries of gaming consoles.