Blockbuster Adaptations: Exploring Film and TV Adaptations of Popular Video Games
Explore a thrilling world where hit video games come to life on screen! From 'The Last of Us' to 'Five Nights at Freddy’s,' dive into TV shows and movies inspired by beloved games like 'Resident Evil,' 'Assassin's Creed,' and more Get ready for non-stop action and unforgettable adventures in this epic lineup!
The Last of Us, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and Super Mario Bros. are among the successful video games that have been transformed into TV shows and movies throughout the years.
In January 2023, HBO brought The Last of Us to life, based on the popular video game of the same title. The series stars Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie. It depicts their expedition across the country two decades after a fungal infection, similar to zombies, decimated most of society. Remarkably, Ellie is immune to the infection and holds the potential to find a cure.
The Last of Us garnered immediate success and secured a second season even before its premiere month ended. Remaining faithful to the original video game and its 2020 sequel, the series will follow the journey of Joel and Ellie, incorporating a time leap.
On the other hand, the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise encompasses a total of nine video games situated in various establishments linked to the fictional family-owned pizza restaurant chain called Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. For the forthcoming 2023 film, the intricate storylines have been condensed, with the movie featuring four animatronic mascots serving as the primary antagonists.
Scroll down for more video games that have been adapted.
Credit: Cover Images; Getty Images; Illumination; Warner Bros
TV Shows and Movies Based on Hit Video Games: From 'The Last of Us' to 'Five Nights at Freddy’s'
The Last of Us, Five Nights at Freddy’s and Super Mario Bros. are just some of the hit video games that have been adapted into TV shows and movies over the years.
In January 2023, HBO adapted the popular video game The Last of Us into a series. Starring Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, the show tells the story of their journey across the country two decades after a devastating fungal outbreak decimated civilization. Despite the widespread infection, Ellie somehow possesses immunity and holds the key to developing a potential cure.
The Last of Us quickly gained widespread acclaim and secured a second season renewal shortly after its premiere. The series will draw inspiration from both the original video game and its 2020 sequel, which features a time jump while still focusing on the relationship between Joel and Ellie.
Meanwhile, there are a total of nine video games in the Five Nights at Freddy's series. These games are set in various locations connected to a fictional family pizza restaurant franchise called Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. The storylines of these games were condensed for the 2023 film, which features four animatronic mascots as the main villains.
"We really aimed to make this film inclusive for younger audiences, considering the large number of young fans the franchise has. However, we also wanted to capture the terrifying experience of playing the game, particularly the atmosphere and the creepiness. These elements really left an impact on me," shared director Emma Tammi with Slash Film in October 2023. "While there are definitely some iconic and incredibly scary jump scares, most of the time, you'll be immersed in the unsettling atmosphere."
Scroll on for more video games which have been adapted:
Credit: EPK.TV
'Five Nights at Freddy’s'
The 2023 film centers around a security guard working at a deserted family amusement park. During their shift, they stumble upon four animatronic mascots that come to life and commit murder once midnight strikes. Starring Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Matthew Lillard, Five Nights at Freddy’s is an adaptation of a video game series initially launched in 2023.
Credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO
'The Last of Us'
HBO's TV series is based in a world that has been ravaged by a pandemic for 20 years, leading to a widespread transformation of individuals into zombie-like beings. The video game, which was launched in 2013, predates the TV adaptation by a decade, and has since undergone expansion with a remake and a sequel.
Credit: Paramount Pictures and Sega of America/Paramount+
'Sonic the Hedgehog'
James Marsden, Jim Carrey, and Ben Schwartz featured in the 2020 film as well as its 2022 sequel. The storyline revolves around a blue anthropomorphic hedgehog known for his supersonic running ability. Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the third sequel, is set to hit theaters in 2024. Additionally, Paramount+ plans to release a spinoff miniseries called Knuckles, starring Idris Elba. Since its initial release in 1991, the video game series has garnered immense popularity and has become a cultural phenomenon.
Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros
'Detective Pikachu'
In 2019's Detective Pikachu, Ryan Reynolds lent his voice to the character of Pikachu, while collaborating with a young boy to unravel the mystery surrounding his father's disappearance. The movie also showcased the talents of Kathryn Newton, Bill Nighy, Suki Waterhouse, and Rita Ora, alongside an array of other well-known Pokémon characters.
The video game, meanwhile, is based on the Pokémon franchise, which has been around since 1998.
Credit: Cover Images
'Max Payne'
In 2001, the release of Max Payne introduced a video game depicting the journey of a New York City police detective who transforms into a vigilante following the tragic murder of his family by drug addicts. Afterward, the role of the titular character was portrayed by Mark Wahlberg in the 2008 film adaptation.
Credit: Cover Images
'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider'
Tomb Raider has been a part of pop culture since the '90s, but it wasn't until 2001 that Angelina Jolie brought the character to life on the big screen. She returned as the legendary archaeologist in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life two years later. In 2018, Alicia Vikander took on the role of Lara Croft in the third installment, Tomb Raider.
Credit: Rolf Konow/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images
'Resident Evil'
Capco, a video game developer, made its debut in 1996 with the release of Resident Evil. The immense popularity of the video game paved the way for a film adaptation in 2002, starring Milla Jovovich, and subsequently, five more sequels were created.
Furthermore, the Resident Evil universe has continued to expand with the release of a Netflix series in 2021. Additionally, later that same year, another adaptation titled Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City was introduced, offering a fresh perspective on the source material.
Credit: Cover Images
'Mortal Kombat'
During the 1990s, a martial arts video game made its debut and later transformed into a movie featuring Linden Ashby, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Robin Shou, Bridgette Wilson, Talisa Soto, and Christopher Lambert. To the delight of its fans, two additional sequels were unexpectedly released, and the production of a fourth film is set to commence in 2023.
Credit: Nintendo; Illumination Entertainment & Universal Pictures
'Super Mario Bros.'
The video game that became iconic in the 1980s has seen numerous adaptations. One such adaptation was a live-action film released in 1993, featuring Bob Hoskins as Mario and John Leguizamo as Luigi.
An animated version appeared in theaters 30 years later, with Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy and Charlie Day.
Credit: Cover Images
'Assassin's Creed'
The video game depicts a fictional conflict between the Order of Assassins, champions of peace and freedom, and the Knights Templar, enforcers of order and dominion. Since its initial release in 2007, the franchise has expanded to include an additional 13 games. In 2016, a film featuring Michael Fassbender was released, although plans for a sequel have since been scrapped.
