Video game adaptations have long had a mixed reputation in Hollywood. For every hit like The Last of Us, there’s a Super Mario Bros. (1993) disaster lurking in the background. But over the past few years, some video game adaptations have managed to rise above the noise, delivering top-notch entertainment that satisfies both gamers and non-gamers alike. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best movie and TV adaptations of popular video games and why they stand out. We’ll also dive into how these adaptations can work well — and why sometimes they don’t.

The Last of Us (2023) – HBO

  • Production Company: HBO Entertainment, PlayStation Productions, Naughty Dog, Word Games
  • Main Actors: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey

Set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal infection, The Last of Us follows Joel and Ellie as they navigate a dangerous, ruined world. The show closely adheres to the emotional depth and storytelling of the critically acclaimed 2013 PlayStation game by Naughty Dog. It expands the world and adds new character depth, making it feel fresh even for players who already know the story. What makes this adaptation so great?

For one, the series sticks closely to the source material, capturing the emotional depth and storytelling of the original game. Joel and Ellie, played by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, are just as captivating as their video game counterparts. The show doesn’t shy away from the tough decisions and heart-wrenching moments that made the game so unforgettable. But it also expands the world and adds new character depth, which makes it feel fresh even for players who already know the story.

For fans of the game, this is a true triumph. For non-gamers, it’s an emotional rollercoaster with compelling characters and top-notch world-building.

Arcane (2021) – Netflix

  • Production Company: Riot Games, Fortiche Production
  • Release Date: 2021
  • Main Actors (Voice): Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell

Based on League of Legends, Arcane transforms the game’s lore into an engaging, beautifully animated TV series. It focuses on the origins of the champions Vi and Jinx, exploring their troubled pasts and the complex world of Piltover and Zaun. The animation blends traditional hand-drawn techniques with CGI, giving it a unique look. Unlike many video game adaptations, Arcane doesn’t try to cram gameplay mechanics into a narrative. Instead, it focuses on creating a compelling story and fleshing out characters. It follows the origins of the champions Vi and Jinx, exploring their troubled pasts and the complex world of Piltover and Zaun.

The animation is gorgeous, blending traditional hand-drawn techniques with CGI, giving it a unique look that sets it apart from other animated shows. The writing is top-notch, with strong character arcs and an exploration of deeper themes like power, class, and family. What makes Arcane so special is its ability to introduce newcomers to League of Legends’ world without needing prior knowledge of the game.

It’s a perfect example of how a video game adaptation can be successful without relying on fan service or gameplay elements. The show’s success also proves that animation can effectively bring video game stories to life.

Castlevania (2017-2021) – Netflix

  • Production Company: Frederator Studios, Powerhouse Animation Studios
  • Release Date: 2017-2021
  • Main Actors (Voice): Richard Armitage, James Callis

Based on the classic Konami series, Castlevania tells the story of Trevor Belmont, who must defend humanity from Dracula’s army of monsters. The show takes the core elements of the game and transforms them into a well-written and action-packed narrative, with impressive animation, excellent voice acting, and a dark, mature tone. If you’re a fan of dark fantasy, Castlevania on Netflix is another excellent video game adaptation to check out.

Based on the classic Castlevania series from Konami, this animated series tells the story of Trevor Belmont, who must defend humanity from Dracula’s army of monsters. While the original game focused mostly on platforming action, the show takes the core elements of the game and transforms them into a well-written and action-packed narrative. Castlevania stands out for its impressive animation, excellent voice acting, and dark, mature tone.

The show captures the gothic atmosphere of the games while also diving deep into character development and lore. It’s a series that appeals not just to gamers who are familiar with the franchise but also to those who enjoy good horror or action-adventure shows. If you haven’t played the Castlevania games, don’t worry—the show does a great job of introducing you to the world and its characters. And if you’re a fan of the games, you’ll enjoy the faithful nods to the source material.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) – Movie

  • Production Company: Illumination, Nintendo
  • Main Actors (Voice): Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy

This animated film embraces the lighthearted, playful nature of the Super Mario games and doesn’t try to force a deep, convoluted plot. The movie captures the fun and whimsy of the Super Mario universe while also adding plenty of nostalgic nods for fans. When we think of Super Mario Bros., many people might remember the infamous 1993 live-action movie, which was a complete flop. The 2023’s Super Mario Bros. Movie, however, is a whole different story. This remake of the iconic video game franchise has been a massive success, earning praise from both long-time fans of the games and new viewers alike.

The animated Super Mario Bros. Movie sticks much closer to the spirit of the original games than its live-action predecessor, with Mario and Luigi embarking on a colorful and action-packed adventure through the Mushroom Kingdom. The movie captures the fun and whimsy of the Super Mario universe while also adding in plenty of nostalgic nods for fans of the games. The animation is vibrant, and the character designs reflect the classic look we know and love from the games.

What sets this adaptation apart from others is that it embraces the lighthearted, playful nature of the game and doesn’t try to force a deep, convoluted plot. The voice cast, including Chris Pratt as Mario, brings an added layer of charm to the film. Whether you’re a gamer or just looking for a fun family movie, this is one adaptation that hits the mark.

Tomb Raider (2018) – Movie

  • Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, GK Films, Square Enix
  • Main Actors: Alicia Vikander

This reboot of the film franchise, based on the long-running video game series, follows Lara Croft as she embarks on an adventure to find her missing father and uncover a mysterious island’s secrets. The 2018 Tomb Raider movie, starring Alicia Vikander as the iconic adventurer Lara Croft, was a reboot of the film franchise based on the long-running Tomb Raider video game series.

The movie took inspiration from the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot, which gave Lara a more grounded and vulnerable backstory. The film follows Lara as she embarks on an adventure to find her missing father and uncover a mysterious island’s secrets. While the movie received mixed reviews, it did manage to capture the spirit of the video game series, with intense action sequences and a determined, resourceful protagonist.

Alicia Vikander’s portrayal of Lara Croft was more relatable and gritty, which fit well with the rebooted game character. The film didn’t break new ground, but it succeeded in delivering a fun, action-packed adventure that felt true to the source material.

Uncharted (2022) – Movie

  • Production Company: Columbia Pictures, Atlas Entertainment, Arad Productions, Naughty Dog
  • Main Actors: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg

Based on the Naughty Dog action-adventure series, the film follows a young Nathan Drake as he embarks on a treasure hunt alongside his mentor. Another movie adaptation based on a beloved video game franchise, Uncharted (2022), is based on the action-adventure series by Naughty Dog. Starring Tom Holland as Nathan Drake, the film follows the young adventurer as he embarks on a treasure hunt alongside his mentor, played by Mark Wahlberg.

While Uncharted wasn’t as universally praised as The Last of Us TV show, it still delivered some solid action and fun moments. The movie tried to balance the incredible action sequences and puzzles that make the game so exciting while introducing a fresh, more youthful take on Nathan Drake. Fans of the game will find the movie’s Easter eggs and references fun, while newcomers might enjoy the movie asmight enjoy the movie as an action-packed adventure film in its own right.

Silent Hill (2006) – Movie

  • Production Company: TriStar Pictures, Davis Films, Konami
  • Main Actors: Radha Mitchell, Sean Bean

This psychological horror film, based on the Konami series, follows Rose as she ventures into the mist-covered town of Silent Hill to find her adopted daughter. The film recreates the creepy, unsettling vibe of the game. One of the more successful video game adaptations in terms of capturing the eerie atmosphere of its source material is Silent Hill (2006). Based on the Silent Hill series from Konami, the movie is a psychological horror that follows Rose, a woman who ventures into the mist-covered town of Silent Hill to find her adopted daughter. The film does an excellent job of recreating the creepy, unsettling vibe of the game, as well as its nightmarish visuals and terrifying monsters. Although Silent Hill (2006) isn’t perfect, it holds up as a cult favorite in the horror movie genre. It leans heavily on the unsettling atmosphere of the game and features some great horror sequences that fans of the series will appreciate.

Warcraft (2016) – Movie

  • Production Company: Legendary Pictures, Atlas Entertainment
  • Main Actors: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton

This film adaptation of Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft depicts the initial conflict between the human Alliance and the Orc Horde. Warcraft (2016), directed by Duncan Jones, was a film adaptation of Blizzard Entertainment’s hugely popular World of Warcraft franchise. Set in the world of Azeroth, the movie depicts the initial conflict between the human Alliance and the Orc Horde, which leads to the ongoing war that would shape the entire series.

The film did a decent job of showcasing the fantastical world of World of Warcraft, with CGI-heavy battle scenes and intricate world-building. However, it struggled to connect with critics, who found the plot convoluted and the characters underdeveloped. Still, for gamers who love the World of Warcraft universe, Warcraft (2016) is a decent visual ride. It didn’t reach its full potential but offers a solid foundation for future expansions in the franchise.

Fallout – Amazon Prime

  • Production Company: Amazon Studios, Kilter Films, Bethesda Softworks
  • Main Actors: Ella Purnell, Walton Goggins

Based on the post-apocalyptic RPG series by Bethesda, the show promised to capture the gritty, dystopian world of the games, which is known for its dark humor, unique characters, and moral dilemmas. The Fallout TV show, produced by Amazon, had gamers buzzing with excitement. It did not disappoint.

The Fallout franchise has been one of the most beloved video game series for years, and with the right team behind it, this adaptation delivered one of the best video game-to-TV adaptations yet. Fans of the games hope the series will continue to stay true to the franchise's tone and themes while exploring new narratives in the Fallout universe.