10 Games That Would Make Good Movies (No, Seriously)

Video gaming owes a lot of its success to film, as many of the medium’s greatest games take obvious inspiration from the big screen. After all, there’s no Uncharted without Indiana Jones, and Solid Snake can’t exist without Snake Plissken being awesome in Escape from New York. That’s why it’s only fitting for us to do something to celebrate the 89th Academy Awards, that took place this past weekend.

While no video game films are up for awards this year (apparently Ratchet and Clank can’t compete with Zootopia), it still got us thinking about what games could be made into a great film. Since we are a PlayStation site, we had to limit the list to games that have appeared on a Sony system, so while Gears of War would make an awesome action flick, it won’t be on this list. It’s also worth noting that we didn’t mention any PlayStation properties we’d like to see turned into a film, as we highlighted those games previously. So check out that list if you’re looking for something more Sony-centric.

With that out of the way, check out our list below of 10 video game movies that we’d love to see get made!

We hope you enjoyed our look at 10 video game movies that we’d love to see get made. While we only highlighted a few games that could really shine in a different medium, there are plenty of others with the potential to be something special. After all, we’ve already seen films like Mortal Kombat and Tomb Raider be sizable hits in the past, and more recently major films based upon Assassin’s Creed and Need for Speed.

Let us know in the comments below which video game movies are your favorite, and what games you would like to see made into a film!

Games That Would Make Great FIlms

Games That Would Make Great FIlms
BioShock

There's always a lighthouse, a man, and a city. That's the requirements for a BioShock game, and a movie could go one of a few ways. Obviously an adaptation of the first game could work very well, and Rapture would make for a great setting, but an original story that shared some of the same themes could also be phenomenal. Either way, the framework is flexible enough to create a memorable fan.
Deus Ex

One of the upsides to a film is that it could continue the story of a game that isn't likely to see a sequel soon. That's perfect in the case of Deus Ex, as it doesn't seem likely that Square Enix will be returning to their beloved sci-fi series soon, and the last entry didn't provide a proper conclusion. A film could help tie together some loose threads, and the futuristic setting is tailor made for Hollywood.
Grim Fandango

While most of the dream video game films are live-action ones, there are others that would work best as an animated movie. Grim Fandango in particular would be a great choice, as its sense of humor holds up well, and it's unlikely we ever see a sequel to the LucasArts classic. Be it a retelling of his original adventure, or something entirely new, there's no doubt that it would leave the audience laughing.
Mass Effect

Mass Effect is more versatile than most potential video game films due to how much care BioWare has put into the universe. That means a film doesn't have to be a retelling of Shepard's adventure, as there are dozens of interesting characters, planets, and species to explore in a potential film. Something standalone would be a great way for the series to branch further out, and get more potential fans.
Metal Gear Solid

Considering how much films have impacted the series, it's not surprising that Metal Gear Solid would make for a good movie. From an action film that features an evil twin brother to a 60s espionage thriller, any of the games could be adapted in order to appeal to different audiences. Snake Eater is probably the best choice, though, as Snake's relationship with The Boss is a perfect fit for the big screen.
Red Dead Redemption

Westerns is a film genre that doesn't get as much love today as it had in the past, but a property like Red Dead Redemption could reignite interest. There's nothing quite like some outlaws battling it out in the Old West, and John Marston's story is definitely one worth retelling. It also helps that buzz is at an all-time high surrounding the franchise, as a sequel to the 2010 hit is finally being made.
Rocket League

It might not be anyone's first pick for a film, but there's a lot of potential in Rocket League. Mixing sports and sci-fi, the interesting competitive setting could set the stage for either a light-hearted action film (think Speed Racer) or a high-stakes drama. Fictional or not, sports are easy to relate to, and are easy to make a film out of.
SoulCalibur

A lot of fighting games get adapted into films, and for good reason. The games tend to feature dozens of interesting characters, and a martial arts tournament is the backdrop of dozens of amazing action flicks. One series that has a lot of potential in that regard is SoulCalibur, which differentiates itself by focusing on weapons. There's already a solid lore behind the universe, and several interesting stories could be told within it.
The Saboteur

Pandemic Studios' final game was an interesting one, as The Saboteur took place during World War II. It stars an Irish mechanic who ends up joining the French Resistance in order to settle a personal grudge. It's an interesting revenge story, and the great historical backdrop really helps it stand out.
The Swapper

The Swapper wouldn't be the easiest game to adapt, but it has the potential to be a truly great one. Having the protagonist come to grips with having to rapidly clone themselves in order to escape the research station would make for a fascinating drama, especially seeing how someone would deal with all of the dead bodies of themselves. Are they still human after all they've been through? These are just some of the themes the game tackles, and a film could explore them even more thoroughly.