Video games have always been about storytelling, so it’s no surprise that some of the best movies and TV shows are now coming straight from the world of gaming. With great characters, rich lore, and action-packed moments, these adaptations bring fan-favorite worlds to life in ways we never imagined.
From animated epics to live-action blockbusters, game-inspired movies and shows are finally proving that the jump from controller to screen can be just as thrilling as the games themselves.
So, grab your popcorn and let’s dive into the best video game adaptations that are actually worth your time.
The Last of Us
The Last of Us is what happens when a zombie apocalypse meets heart-wrenching storytelling and brutal survival mechanics. You play as Joel, a smuggler with a tragic past, escorting Ellie, a snarky teen who might just be humanity’s last hope. Expect nerve-wracking stealth, cinematic action, and emotional gut punches that’ll hit harder than a Clicker ambush. If you haven’t played it yet, fix that.
No wonder that HBO decided to make an adaptation starring Pedro Pascal & Bella Ramsey. The show is impressively faithful but isn’t afraid to shake things up. Certain story beats are rearranged, some characters get more depth, while others are reimagined. Ellie and Joel’s dynamic remains the heart of it all, but the show gives a little more time to side characters, making their fates hit even harder.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is a neon-soaked power fantasy where you play as V, a mercenary for hire in a city that wants to eat you alive. Expect high-tech shootouts, hacking mayhem, and Keanu Reeves haunting your brain as Johnny Silverhand, a rebellious rockstar terrorist. The world? Stunning. The choices? Heavy. The launch? …Let’s just say it got patched. But now? It’s an absolute beast of an RPG. If you love open-world chaos, deep storytelling, and cybernetic upgrades that turn you into a walking arsenal, this is the game for you.
If you somehow missed it, I’m a huge fan of the game and the last thing I expected is to see it adapted to “small” screens. I was totally surprised and boy oh boy did it not disappoint.
Expect gorgeous animation, insane action, and a story that grabs your heart just to crush it into dust. Whether you’ve played Cyberpunk 2077 or not, this show will make you feel something.
Halo
A beloved game from the childhood that many of us played to oblivion, Halo is the legendary sci-fi shooter that put Xbox on the map, dropping players into the boots of Master Chief, a supersoldier with a knack for saving humanity (and never taking his helmet off, until the TV show, but we don’t talk about that). With epic alien battles, iconic multiplayer, and a deep lore filled with ancient rings, space marines, and a surprisingly sassy AI named Cortana, Halo is more than a game, it’s a cornerstone of gaming history.
Now, to be perfectly honest with you, the first season wasn’t it. There were a lot of things that could have been done better. With that said, I had a feeling that the second season was an improvement. Unfortunately they cancelled the show and if they just continued improving, season 3 would have been an absolute hit. The chances of someone rebooting are slim to none, at least in the foreseeable future. Our only chances are that someone else picks it up and does it properly.
Resident Evil
Resident Evil is the OG survival horror franchise that made zombies terrifying and inventory management a life-or-death struggle. From the eerie halls of the Spencer Mansion to the biohazard-infested streets of Raccoon City, every game throws you into a nightmare of limited ammo, cryptic puzzles, and abominations that refuse to stay dead. Whether you’re dodging Mr. X’s relentless stomps, running from Nemesis screaming, or just trying to find that one missing crank, Resident Evil delivers horror, action, and pure adrenaline.
The Resident Evil movies are what happens when you take the games’ basic premise (zombies, evil corporations, bioweapons) and then strap them to a rocket full of slow-motion action and ridiculous stunts. Milla Jovovich plays Alice, a character not even from the games, a mutant-powered action hero who fights increasingly absurd monsters.
Moment of honesty, since I was itsy bitsy boy, I wasn’t allowed to play the game and watch the movies. My father used to watch it on tv and I used to sneak a peek whenever I had a chance. So technically I first watched the movies before playing the games.
Uncharted
Uncharted is what happens when you mix Indiana Jones with explosive set pieces and a ridiculous amount of parkour. You play as Nathan Drake, a charismatic treasure hunter who somehow survives collapsing buildings, train wrecks, and impossible jumps, usually while cracking a joke. Whether you’re solving puzzles or barely escaping a firefight, Uncharted delivers pure, high-stakes fun.
The Uncharted movie is a fun, action-packed adventure that captures the spirit of the games, even if it takes a “few” creative liberties. The film delivers big set pieces, daring escapes, and plenty of treasure-hunting fun. It may not fully match the cinematic magic of the source material, but as a lighthearted adventure, it’s an enjoyable ride. Think of it as an Uncharted origin story, just with a few extra Hollywood twists. I have hopes that they’ll step up with a second part.
Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat is the king of brutal fighting games, where over-the-top martial arts meets bone-crunching fatalities. Whether you’re throwing fireballs as Liu Kang, teleport-punching as Scorpion, or just button-mashing with Sub-Zero, every fight feels like an action movie showdown. Tough, my favorite one to use is Noob Saibot. I think my win rate with him is close to 100%. If I ever had the desire to go pro, I would have probably ended up as a world champion but alas my passion lies elsewhere.
The Mortal Kombat movies are a wild ride, much like the games—sometimes awesome, sometimes questionable, but always entertaining.
The 1995 Mortal Kombat movie is a fun, action-packed adaptation that leans into its game roots with dramatic fights, over-the-top dialogue, and a soundtrack that still gets fans hyped. The effects and choreography may feel a bit dated, but the movie’s charm and energy make it an entertaining watch—especially if you love some classic ‘90s action. It’s not a masterpiece, but it delivers exactly what it promises: Mortal Kombat on the big screen.
The newer version was just okay.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Being one of the hall of famers from my childhood, Sonic the Hedgehog is all about speed, style, and absolutely no patience. You blaze through loops, dodge obstacles, and collect rings at breakneck speeds, all while vibing to some of the best soundtracks in gaming. Sonic games are a wild mix of brilliant and bizarre. But when they hit? They hit hard. If you love high-speed platforming, colorful worlds, and a blue blur with attitude, Sonic is your guy.
First time they dropped the trailer for the movie, there were a lot of mixed feelings about the design of the Sonic. Fortunately, they heard the feedback and improved the design which ultimately led to the success of the movie. I’ve enjoyed watching them, especially the last part.
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. is platforming at its purest, tight controls, clever level design, and just the right amount of challenge to keep you hooked. Every level feels handcrafted to push your reflexes without ever being unfair, and the series has a way of constantly reinventing itself while staying true to its roots. Whether it’s the simplicity of the 2D games or the ambitious worlds of the 3D titles, Mario rarely misses.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is an absolute rollercoaster of colorful chaos. It’s got all you could want — classic Mario music, power-ups, and Easter eggs galore but it’s also a wild ride of animated fun with a plot that’s as simple as you’d expect: save Princess Peach, stomp some Goombas, and rescue the Mushroom Kingdom.
Fallout
Fallout is what happens when you mix retro-futurism, nuclear apocalypse, and pure chaos into one massive RPG sandbox. Whether you’re wandering the Wasteland scavenging for supplies, talking your way out of (or into) trouble, or unloading a mini-nuke on a Deathclaw, every playthrough feels like its own twisted adventure. The series nails dark humor, deep world-building, and absolute freedom, letting you be a hero, a villain, or just some guy hoarding bottle caps.
The Fallout TV series somehow pulls off the impossible, adapting a massive, choice-driven RPG into a gripping, darkly funny, and ridiculously detailed show. The wasteland looks incredible, the world-building is on point, and Walton Goggins as The Ghoul? Perfectly cast. It’s got all the chaos, factions, and moral gray areas that make Fallout great, while still being accessible to newcomers. And with New Vegas teased for Season 2, it’s only getting better.
Arcane (League of Legends)
League of Legends is less of a game and more of a psychological experiment to see how much frustration a person can endure before uninstalling—only to reinstall the next day. You pick a champion, head to the Rift, and spend the next 30-50 minutes either feeling like a god or questioning every life decision that led you here. The highs? Pentakills, outplays, and finally climbing out of Bronze. The lows? Your ADC running it down mid, a 0/12 Jungler, and getting flamed in three different languages. It’s a mix of strategy, skill, and sheer emotional damage, and somehow, we keep coming back for more.
Arcane isn’t just a League of Legends show—it’s an animated masterpiece that somehow appeals to both die-hard fans and people who have never touched the game. With stunning animation, rich world-building, and characters so well-written you’ll end up emotionally attached to at least three of them, this show is a must-watch.
