The Winning Formula Behind the Most Successful Video Game Movies

Highlights

Video game movies aimed at kids tend to be the most successful, as proven by the recent Super Mario Bros. Movie, Sonic The Hedgehog, and Detective Pikachu.

Adult-oriented video game movies often struggle, falling short in terms of both financial success and critical recognition compared to major franchises such as the MCU.

The light-hearted nature of many video games makes them ideal for children's movies, as they are able to adopt uncomplicated storylines that do not take themselves too seriously, ultimately providing amusement and endearing qualities.

Only a few things divide the opinions of video game and film fans as much as movie adaptations of beloved games. Although the concept of video game movies is relatively new, dating back to the early nineties, gamers have always yearned for their favorite games to be brought to life on the big screen. However, it is widely acknowledged that no video game adaptation has ever been without its share of challenges.

Hollywood has struggled to produce truly successful adaptations in recent years. While creating a new film series based on a popular character or world might seem like a safe bet, movie adaptations of video games have rarely been well-received by critics or profitable at the box office. Despite this, there have been a few notable successes in recent times, and many of these successes share a common thread.

Video Game Movies Aimed At Kids Are The Most Successful

One of the most evident trends in the video game movie genre is that those targeting children are often the most beloved. Nintendo's latest endeavor, an animated Super Mario Bros. film, is a prime example of this. This blockbuster has raked in over one billion dollars worldwide, solidifying its success. The Super Mario Bros. Movie takes viewers on a creative adventure, as Mario and Luigi find themselves transported to the Mushroom Kingdom. There, our favorite Italian plumber must save the day from the comically villainous Bowser. The film's simplicity, infused with genuine love and care, has resonated with both kids and adults, contributing to its triumph.

In addition, the two Sonic The Hedgehog films released in 2020 and 2022 showcase the blue blur's adjustment to life on Earth and his battles with the ever-nefarious Dr. Robotnik. With a nostalgic touch, these films cater to audiences of all ages, resulting in global box office earnings of over three hundred million and four hundred million respectively. Prior to Super Mario's reign, the highest-grossing animated video game film was Detective Pikachu in 2019. Ryan Reynolds lent his voice to Pikachu, enticing parents to accompany their children to this movie, even if Pokémon wasn't a major part of their own childhoods.

Video Game Movies Aimed At Adults Tend To Fail

Despite the existence of successful video game movies for adult audiences, none have reached the level of major franchises like the MCU. Even when these movies do well financially, their quality is often heavily debated or outright criticized by critics, as seen in the case of 2016's Warcraft. Despite performing well in certain regions, such as China, the additional costs, especially in marketing, make Warcraft a less successful film overall. Understanding the reasons behind the failure of these movies becomes evident when examining some of the biggest flops.

In 2005, Doom had an impressive cast with Dwayne Johnson, Rosamund Pike, and Karl Urban. It was based on the popular first-person shooter video game Doom and had a straightforward plot that could have appealed to anyone. However, the film failed to earn more than sixty million globally, despite costing more than that to make. The movie's abysmal story received negative feedback from both critics and fans, and its R-rating limited its audience, resulting in a lower box office performance. While the most dedicated Doom fans likely attended the film, their support alone was insufficient to ensure its success.

The Silliness Of Most Games Makes Them Work As Kids' Movies

The attempts to revive the Hitman series with Hitman: Agent 47 in 2015 and Assassin's Creed in 2016 were widely disliked. Despite Hitman: Agent 47's low budget, it managed to earn over eighty million dollars, saving it from being a complete failure. However, Assassin's Creed, despite featuring Michael Fassbender in a prominent role, failed to meet both box office expectations and critical acclaim. Consequently, the film was considered a massive failure and any plans for a potential sequel were immediately scrapped. Like Doom, Hitman: Agent 47, and Assassin's Creed, these films all suffered from the common issue of taking themselves overly seriously and condensing complex stories, making them inaccessible to younger audiences.

The peculiar nature of video games makes them ideal for adaptation into children's movies. Consider the absurdity of Mario, an Italian plumber thrust into a realm teeming with walking mushroom creatures and turtles skilled in combat. His quest entails rescuing a princess from a fire-breathing giant turtle. By incorporating elements like Donkey Kong, Mario Kart, and clever references to the source material, along with power-ups from the games featured in the film, a delightfully silly children's movie is born. If more people accepted the inherent oddness of most games when dissected, and moved beyond the notion that gritty narratives are the only stories worth telling, the box office would undoubtedly witness a surge of video game-inspired movies.

Despite the silliness of the Sonic The Hedgehog movies and the Detective Pikachu movie, they still manage to have captivating storylines. The simplicity of these games allows for plots that don't take themselves too seriously, while providing a heartfelt and entertaining experience. In Detective Pikachu, the understanding of the general audience is not hindered, but there are enjoyable easter eggs for dedicated fans that are more of a fleeting moment of recognition. In a world filled with constant struggles, perhaps it's time for more lightheartedness in video game movies, even if that means they continue to be geared towards children.