All around the world, people are waiting for the next big movie trailer to be released. Likewise, gaming audiences are also hoping to gain a glimpse of the next smash-hit title. Both categories of entertainment have also collided on occasions, with a selection of memorable video game movies that appeal to both audiences coming to the fore over the years.
Wherever you are on the planet, people tend to unwind with a movie marathon or a gaming session. Some people watch a short film while playing games at Pulsz, while others explore a leading PlayStation 5 title and have an iconic production playing in the background at the same time. Alongside this commonly explored combination, though, is an opportunity to watch a movie production where gaming is part of the plot.
We aren’t just talking about Super Mario offerings here, but instead a more diverse range of releases that many people might not have even seen before. Below is a brief lowdown on just some of them.
Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
Starting things off with a video game franchise and a series of movies both sets of fans will be familiar with, not every Resident Evil film is worth adding to your busy schedule, but Resident Evil: Afterlife definitely delivered. Featuring the spine-chilling moments associated with the game, this 2010 release was a huge box office hit and earned its makers over $300 million.
The Wizard (1989)
Nowadays, due to the emergence of competitive gaming like eSports, movies like The Wizard would probably resonate more with audiences. The film follows the story of three youngsters who venture to Los Angeles to compete in Video Armageddon, a gaming competition at Universal Studios. A production many people remember fondly, what unfolds from there is quite special.
Max Payne (2008)
A movie created off the back of the success of the video game, Max Payne came out in 2008 and featured a young Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. Wahlberg, who plays an NYPD police officer, and Kunis, who is the assassin, played their part in a solid adaptation, although it’s fair to say Max Payne isn’t the best movie you’ll ever see. Still, for gamers, seeing this much-loved title transition over to the movie sphere was special.
Nightmares (1983)
If you’ve seen Nightmares before, then you’ll remember the main character’s obsession with a classic arcade game. In this one, Emilio Estevez can’t stop playing “The Bishop of Battle,” except he didn’t realize his passion for the title would end up taking him on such a unique journey. A production that shines a light on gaming culture from the 1980s, Nightmares is a great film.
Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)
These days, Pokémon is well and truly shining again. People are playing augmented reality titles like Pokémon Go on their smartphone devices and movies like Pokémon Detective Pikachu have entertained mass audiences. The 2019 release is the first live-action production bearing the Pokemon name, with Ryan Reynolds voicing Pikachu to create a funny watch filled with investigative work.
Mortal Kombat (1995)
After jumping over to the movie world, many diehard fans of the Mortal Kombat video games were skeptical heading into the 1995 release of Mortal Kombat. The end result was well worth watching, though. This action-fantasy masterpiece was a directorial debut for Paul W. S. Anderson, and he most definitely delivered a strong final result. It contained the epic action sequences gamers expected, while also offering up some over-the-top moments that make the film such a beloved release. In the same way that the games have always appealed, Mortal Kombat performed reasonably well at the box office.