5 Best Video Game Movies Of All Time, Ranked

While video games movies might have something of a tragic history, they've grown past this reputation in recent years. There are a growing number of acclaimed film and television adaptations of beloved gaming properties, with a wider appeal than just their core fan base. Whether they're self-aware comedic takes of beloved franchises or serious retellings of familiar stories, there are solid video game movies for audiences of all ages. There are even some enduring cinematic gems from the earliest days of video game movies, diamonds in a notorious rough.

From crowd-pleasing family-friendly fare to mature horror movies, video game movies cover as wide a genre swath as the games themselves. Cinematic adaptations of gaming properties have come a long way and the infamous reputation they've garnered is finally loosening its grip. Audiences and critics have both been taking notice, too, as Hollywood increasingly turns its creative gaze to the medium for narrative material. Here are the five best video game movies of all time ranked, ready for a rewatch or to experience for the first time.

With its bloody skirmishes and gruesome finishing moves, "Mortal Kombat" is one of the most controversial retro games ever made. This controversy didn't detract from its commercial success, of course, and the first movie adaptation premiered in 1995, three years after the franchise's launch. Loosely adapting the 1992 game's story, the film has the evil sorcerer Shang Tsung put on a martial arts tournament for the fate of Earth. A small team of heroic fighters, including Liu Kang, rise to answer the call and defend their world.

Though certainly not a perfect movie and very much a product of the '90s, the original "Mortal Kombat" has an undeniable nostalgic charm. The fight sequences, particularly those involving Robin Shou, are stylishly staged and the movie's techno-driven soundtrack has come to represent the whole franchise. The movie has its fair share of goofy moments but, compared to 1994's "Street Fighter," it translates the source material's ethos and appeal far more effectively. The 1995 movie ends on a big cliffhanger, but the laughably bad sequel "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation" at least tries to preserve the original movie's favorable legacy.

While the "Resident Evil" movies deviated significantly from the games, 2006's "Silent Hill" was relatively faithful to the tone of the Konami franchise. The movie has Rose Da Silva search for her missing daughter Sharon after their car crashes near the remote town of Silent Hill. Throughout her search, the town periodically shifts into a nightmarish version of itself, populated by fearsome monsters. Rose's journey grows more complicated and mysterious when she encounters an insidious cult linked to a girl named Alessa, who resembles Sharon.

"Silent Hill" maintains the eerie atmosphere from the games, with director Christophe Gans leaning into the franchise's essential melancholy. The creatures feel like they've been ripped straight from the source material, from the murderous nurses to, of course, Pyramid Head. But beyond the adapted elements, the movie's original story feels very much in line with the game's themes, right down to its ambiguous ending scene. An underrated video game adaptation with plenty of evocative mood to spare, "Silent Hill" is a great translation of the franchise's ethos to the silver screen.

Pikachu has long been the standout critter from the enormously successful Pokémon franchise, so it was only natural he would take center stage for its first live-action movie. 2019's "Pokémon: Detective Pikachu" takes place in Ryme City, where humans and Pokémon coexist, without trainers pitting their Pokémon against each other in combat. The movie follows Tim Goodman (Justice Smith), who is investigating the circumstances around his father's apparent death. Working together with a Pikachu who he can communicate with, Tim uncovers a vast conspiracy involving Pokémon around the city.

Of all the changes to Pikachu over time, giving him Ryan Reynolds' distinct voice and sense of humor is one of the more offbeat choices. But all in all, this fits within the 2019 movie's breezy comedy and tone, never taking itself too seriously. The real highlight of the film, of course, is seeing all the various Pokémon pop up around the narrative, from Machamps directing traffic to the pivotal Mewtwo. An entertaining and lightweight dive into the wide world of Pokémon, "Detective Pikachu" is a bonafide crowd-pleaser.

Really, any of the "Sonic the Hedgehog" films directed by Jeff Fowler beginning in 2020 could make this list. For the sake of variety, we're going to keep the trilogy's entries to 2024's "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," detailing Sonic and his friends' battle against Shadow the Hedgehog. After escaping from his lengthy imprisonment on a remote island off the coast of Japan, Shadow joins forces with Gerald Robotnik, Ivo Robotnik's evil grandfather. Joined by Tails and Knuckles, Sonic takes on the scheming duo as they plan to unleash a devastating weapon on the planet.

"Sonic the Hedgehog 3" has all the high-speed joys of the preceding two movies, with the welcome addition of Keanu Reeves as Shadow. But the real highlight is a dual performance from Jim Carrey, playing both Doctors Robotnik, complete with a family-building montage and dance sequence. And for fans of the games, there are even more nods to the source material, especially with its explosive climactic battle. Three movies in and the "Sonic the Hedgehog" movie trilogy has only improved with each installment, with its 2024 sequel taking it to new heights.

Released in Japan several months before the divisive 1994 "Street Fighter" live-action movie, "Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie" was a much more faithful adaptation of Capcom's fighting game franchise. The anime film has crime syndicate leader M. Bison determined to forcibly recruit the martial arts prodigy Ryu into his organization. This global search expands to Ryu's best friend and fellow fighter Ken Masters being targeted by the villains due to their similar fighting styles and skill level. Meanwhile, Interpol agent Chun-Li works with American military officer Guile to take down Bison, each seeking revenge for someone close to them that Bison murdered.

Video game source material or not, "Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie" is one of the best anime films of all time. The characters are all depicted faithfully to the source material and the fight scenes are tightly choreographed and executed. The movie would play its own role in the stunning transformation of "Street Fighter," with its influence seen in the prequel game trilogy "Street Fighter Alpha." Exciting, accessible, and an especially rewarding film for fans, "Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie" is the best video game movie of all time.