9 Movie-Based Video Games That Are Canon to Their Respective Film Franchises

The Matrix: Enter the Video Game

The Matrix franchise has seen its fair share of iconic moments, and Enter the Matrix video game is one of them. This game, released after the original trilogy, made a shocking move by killing off the character Morpheus, a decision that had a significant impact. The effects of this game on the franchise became even more apparent years later with The Matrix Resurrections, solidifying Enter the Matrix as a crucial part of The Matrix storyline.

Enter The Matrix character Ghost running through a drab facility.

The game's contribution to the overarching story of The Matrix franchise is undeniable, and it remains just as important as any of the mainline movies, offering a deeper understanding of the franchise's lore and narrative.

Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora

The Avatar movie franchise expanded its universe with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, a video game that introduces events that are canon to the movie series. This game delves into the conflict between the Na'vi and the RDA, exploring battles and events that have not been seen in the movies yet, offering fans a new perspective on the beloved franchise.

Protagonist flying the Ikran creature in the Avatar Frontiers of Pandora game

Franchise creator James Cameron confirmed the game's canonicity at the June 2023 Ubisoft Forward event, solidifying its place in the Avatar lore and adding depth to the overall narrative of the movies.

Na'Vi woman in the Avatar Frontiers of Pandora game

Ghostbusters: The Video Game

Ghostbusters: The Video Game serves as a sequel to Ghostbusters II, continuing the iconic franchise's storylines in an interactive format. With the original actors reprising their roles, the game is considered by many to be the equivalent of Ghostbusters III, offering a new chapter in the beloved series.

Ghostbusters videogame

The game's canonicity was further cemented by its influence on the recent Ghostbusters: Afterlife, where elements from the game, such as the use of Ivo Shandor, played an integral role in the film's narrative, solidifying the game's status as part of the Ghostbusters canon.

Marvel's Spider-Man (2018)

Marvel's Spider-Man and its sequels take place in a distinct universe but are considered canon to every Spider-Man movie. The game's canonicity was solidified in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, where the character appeared alongside various iterations of Spider-Man, confirming its place in a shared multiverse.

Spider-Man promo art featuring the titular hero swinging on a web.

The film's revelation that the game exists alongside other Spider-Man iterations further expanded the franchise's narrative, offering fans a unique and interconnected Spider-Verse experience.

Spider-Man PS4 Peter and Miles

The Thing

The 2002 The Thing video game is a licensed tie-in to John Carpenter's beloved horror sci-fi film, and it is also canon to the original movie. The game picks up shortly after the film's events, following a group of U.S. soldiers as they investigate the aftermath of the Thing's attacks, providing a deeper exploration of the film's mysteries.

The Thing video game cover

John Carpenter's endorsement of the game's canonicity solidifies its place in The Thing franchise, offering fans a continuation of the original characters' stories and revealing the truth behind the film's ambiguous ending.

Saw: The Video Game

Saw: The Video Game takes place after the events of the first film and is considered canon to the movie series. With input from the franchise's creators, James Wan and Leigh Whannell, the game contributes to the expansion of the Saw universe, painting a fuller picture of the franchise's intricate narrative.

Detective Tapp watches Jigsaw's message while in the beartrap trap in Saw: The Video Game (2009)

The game's canonicity adds an exciting layer to the Saw franchise, offering fans a deeper understanding of the original movie's events and characters.

Mad Max

The 2015 Mad Max video game extends the franchise's narrative, building off the popularity of Mad Max: Fury Road. The game's canonicity was confirmed by the upcoming prequel movie Furiosa, which introduces Dementus, a character first mentioned in the game, further intertwining the game's events with the movie's storyline.

Max fights a warrior in the Mad Max game

Furiosa's tie-ins to the Mad Max game solidify the game's place in the franchise, adding depth to the overall narrative and expanding the Mad Max universe.

The Lord Of The Rings Online

The Lord of the Rings Online expands the rich world of Middle-Earth, providing further stories and adventures that go beyond the scope of the films. The game's canonicity is evident in its seamless integration with the existing lore of Tolkien's fantasy franchise, offering fans an immersive and authentic experience within the beloved universe.

Rider of Rohan art from Lord of the Rings Online depicting a female warrior on a horse wearing armor and wielding a spear.

With its expansion of the timeline and narrative, The Lord of the Rings Online enriches the franchise, offering fans a deeper exploration of the world of Middle-Earth.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a recent and immensely popular game that contributes to the Star Wars franchise's timeline. While only a few characters cross over between the games and the movies, the game's canonicity is recognized by Lucasfilm and Disney, further expanding the universe and adding depth to the overall narrative.

Dagan bleeding the crystal and Cal trying to stop him in Star Wars Jedi Survivor

The game's impact on the franchise showcases the interconnected nature of the Star Wars universe, offering fans a new and immersive experience within the beloved galaxy far, far away.

Kingdom Hearts 3

Kingdom Hearts 3 stands out as one of the weirdest games that is canon to a movie franchise, particularly in its connection to the Toy Story timeline. While the game's events may not directly influence the movies, its canonicity within the Toy Story world offers fans a unique and immersive experience within the beloved franchise.

Kingdom Hearts 3 Toy Story

The game's integration with the Toy Story timeline expands the narrative of the beloved movie series, offering fans an exciting and interconnected experience within the Kingdom Hearts universe.