The phrase “video game adaptation” used to be synonymous with saying “it’s going to be a bad movie/show.” Over the years, there have been countless attempts to bring stories and characters from the video game industry to our screens, and until recently, most of them have failed.
But over the past few years, Netflix, Prime Video, and other of the best streaming services have been giving viewers some really good entertainment inspired by or taken directly from some of gaming’s biggest franchises. Sure, there have still been some serious duds here and there—you just have to look at my “Borderlands” review for proof of that—but it definitely feels like rock-solid video game movies and TV shows are here to stay now.
Here are just a handful of the best performances we’ve seen over the years.
‘Mysterious’
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First released in 2021, Arcane quickly became one of the most famous video game adaptations we’ve ever seen. This dramatic animated series serves as an origin story for some of the characters in Riot Games’ multiplayer hit League of Legends.
The steampunk science fantasy story revolves around two sisters, Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Powder/Jinx (Ella Purnell), who find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict between two settlements: the wealthy, utopian city of Piltover and its oppressed, under-city counterpart of Zaun. Although the two are initially close friends, Vi and Jinx are irreparably changed by the course of events as the two cities teeter on the brink of conflict.
With incredible voice performances and top-notch animation, Arcane is a series you can’t miss, even if you’ve never held a controller before. Thankfully, Arcane Season 2 is here to wrap up the story in just a couple of months.
Rotten tomatoes Score: 100%
See it on Netflix
“Castlevania” – The wonderful world of film
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“Arcane” may be more praised as a series, but Netflix’s highly acclaimed animated series “Castlevania” is in no way inferior.
This dark fantasy saga takes the story of Konami’s vampire saga of the same name and turns it into an action-packed, gruesome, anime-inspired rollercoaster ride. The story takes us hundreds of years to 15th century Wallachia, where Dracula swears vengeance on humanity after she accuses his wife of witchcraft and burns her at the stake.
The vampire lord unleashes hordes of demons on the land, terrorizing the population and forcing them to turn to Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), the last surviving member of the legendary, monster-hunting Belmont clan, for help. The epic saga ran for four seasons before spawning the spin-off “Castlevania: Nocturne,” in which descendant Judge Belmont and his allies try to thwart the rise of a vampire messiah.
Rating at Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
See it on Netflix
‘Stand out’
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The Prime Video television series Fallout is undoubtedly one of the best television shows of the year so far, as it takes full advantage of the wild and wacky elements, creatures and ideas of the Fallout universe to tell an original, compelling story set in the wasteland.
The series essentially revolves around three survivors – Vault dweller Lucy (Ella Purnell), Brotherhood of Steel squire Maximus (Aaron Moten), and irradiated bounty hunter “The Ghoul” (Walton Goggins) – all of whom pursue overlapping personal missions in the post-apocalyptic remains of the United States after nuclear Armageddon.
The trio come from completely different social backgrounds and each of them has a different attitude to life in the settlements that have since emerged. very different. Funny, exciting and impeccably made, Fallout deserves the title of one of the best video game adaptations we’ve ever had.
Rotten tomatoes Score: 94%
See it on Prime Video
“Pokémon Concierge”
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Pokémon has been on our screens for decades now, and over the years we’ve been treated to countless movies and TV shows that easily could have been seen here.
However, the choice of Pokémon anime was honestly to It’s an obvious choice for my list, and while I personally have a soft spot for Detective Pikachu, I’m not entirely sure it’s quite as good as some of the other projects on this list.
To represent this gigantic Nintendo franchise, I would instead like to spotlight “Pokémon Concierge,” a highly entertaining stop-motion Netflix series that was released right at the end of 2023.
The epitome of the phrase “fun in the sun,” this charming animated series invites us into the Pokémon Resort, where staff help Pokémon (and their owners) relax. The series is beautifully designed and moves at a leisurely pace. It’s light on plot and high on sentiment, showcasing the cuddlier, sillier sides of the cute critters, and, most importantly, is meant to remind viewers of all ages to slow down and relax every now and then.
Rotten tomatoes Score: 100%
Watch on Netflix
“Sonic the Hedgehog”
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Although the title character’s original design didn’t quite work, Jeff Fowler’s 2020 film “Sonic the Hedgehog,” starring SEGA’s supersonic mascot (voice: Ben Schwartz), was an entertaining change of pace.
In this first film, he comes to our world and, after a tragedy on a distant planet, settles in Green Hills, Montana. On Earth, his path crosses that of local sheriff Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), who helps him defeat his nefarious arch-enemy Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey).
It’s an entertaining and appropriately fast-paced family film that impressed fans and made a fortune at the box office, spawning a whole host of sequels. If you like Sonic’s slapstick, there’s plenty more to enjoy. Sonic 2 introduced the world to a version of Knuckles voiced by none other than Idris Elba (who later got his own Paramount Plus show). And later this year we’ll get Sonic 3, a sequel that sees Keanu Reeves come on board as the voice of Shadow the Hedgehog.
Rotten tomatoes Score: 64%
Watch on Outstanding Plus
‘The Last of Us’
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In 2013, Naughty Dog released The Last Of Us, a post-apocalyptic adventure that follows two survivors, Joel and Ellie, through an America ravaged by a fungal pandemic that turns much of the population into zombie-like monsters. It’s a terrifying, thrilling journey that tells a moving, deeply human story.
A decade later, Max’s live-action adaptation of The Last Of Us brought the story of Joel and Ellie to the big screen, perfectly capturing the emotions of the original game while reinterpreting and/or expanding on elements of its predecessor. The series deserves all the praise and accolades it has received and more, thanks to the excellent performances, emotive writing, and stunning production design. It’s truly a must-see; I want The Last Of Us season 2 right now!
Rotten tomatoes Score: 96%
See it on Max
“Werewolves Inside”
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Werewolves Within is probably the strangest adaptation on this entire list. Even casual gamers will be familiar with the franchise’s mascots like Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario, or Pikachu, but I bet not everyone who saw this horror comedy even knew it was based on a mafia-style mystery game.
The hilarious horror thriller forgoes the medieval setting of the game and instead takes place in the small town of Beaverfield. Newcomer Finn Wheeler (Sam Richardson) comes to town to become the new forest ranger.
It may seem like a quiet town at first, but things take a turn for the worse when some of the belligerent residents are nabbed by the werewolf that lives among them. As hysteria erupts and the body count rises, the remaining residents get on each other’s nerves and chaos reigns. There are laughs and enough twists to keep you entertained until the credits roll.
Rotten tomatoes Score: 86%
See it on AMC Plus
