In the past, hearing the phrase “video game adaptation” was tantamount to saying “this is going to be a bad movie/TV show.” Over the years, there have been many attempts to adapt stories and characters from the video game industry to our screens, and until recently, most of them have fallen on deaf ears.
But in recent years, Netflix, Prime Video, and other top streaming services have been giving viewers some seriously good entertainment inspired by or directly ripped from some of the biggest video game franchises. Sure, there have still been a few duds here and there (just look at my “Borderlands” review for proof), but it seems like rock-solid video game movies and TV shows are here to stay.
Here are some of the best efforts we've been treated to over the years.
'Esoteric'
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“Arcane” burst onto the scene in 2021 and quickly became one of the most celebrated video game adaptations we’ve ever seen. This dramatic animated series serves as an origin story for some of the characters from Riot Games’ hit multiplayer game, League of Legends.
The steampunk sci-fi story centers on two sisters, Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Powder/Jinx (Ella Purnell), who find themselves on opposite ends of a conflict between two cities: the wealthy utopian city of Piltover and its oppressed, underground counterpart, Zaun. While the two sisters get along like thieves at first, Vi and Jinx are ultimately irreparably changed by the turn of events as the two cities teeter on the brink of conflict.
With incredible voice acting and top-notch animation, “Arcane” is a must-watch series, even if you’ve never picked up a controller before. Luckily, “Arcane” Season 2 is here to finish the story in just a few months.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch it on Netflix
'Castlevania'
![Castlevania | Trailer: Vengeance [HD] | Netflix - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/iIMrFnl5NiA/maxresdefault.jpg)
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“Arcane” may be more lauded as a series, but Netflix’s critically acclaimed animation “Castlevania” is no slouch either.
This dark fantasy saga takes inspiration from Konami's vampire slayer saga of the same name and transforms it into an action-packed thrill ride full of terror and anime inspiration. The story takes us hundreds of years to 15th-century Wallachia, where Dracula vows revenge on the human race after they accuse his wife of witchcraft and burn her at the stake.
The vampire lord unleashes hordes of demons upon the nation, terrorizing the population and forcing them to turn to Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), the last surviving member of the legendary monster-hunting Belmont clan. The epic saga ran for four seasons before spawning the spin-off “Castlevania: Nocturne,” in which descendant Richter Belmont and his allies attempt to thwart the rise of a vampire messiah.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%
Watch it on Netflix
'To fall'
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Prime Video's “Fallout” TV series is easily one of the best TV shows of the year so far, as it makes full use of the wild and wacky elements, creatures, and ideas of the Fallout universe to tell an original and compelling story set in the Wasteland.
The series primarily revolves around three survivors—Vault dweller Lucy (Ella Purnell), Brotherhood of Steel squire Maximus (Aaron Moten), and irradiated bounty hunter “The Ghoul” (Walton Goggins)—who each go on overlapping personal missions in the post-apocalyptic remains of the United States after a nuclear armageddon.
The trio come from completely different backgrounds and each approaches life in the colonies that have sprung up since very Funny, thrilling and impeccably directed, “Fallout” deserves to be considered one of the best video game adaptations we've ever had.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch it on Prime Video
“Pokémon Concierge”
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Pokémon has been on our screens for decades now, and while we've been treated to tons of movies and TV shows over the years, they could easily have featured here.
That said, choosing the Pokémon anime really made me happy. Also This is an obvious choice for my list, and while I personally have a soft spot for “Detective Pikachu,” I'm not entirely sure it's as good as some of the other projects on this list.
So, to represent this titanic Nintendo franchise, I want to instead highlight “Pokémon Concierge,” a downright joyful stop-motion Netflix series that arrived just in late 2023.
The epitome of “fun in the sun,” this charming animated series takes us to the Pokémon Resort, where the employees help Pokémon (and their owners) unwind. It’s beautifully crafted and moves at a leisurely pace. With a light-hearted plot and rich atmosphere, it showcases the cuddlier and wackier sides of the adorable creatures, and exists primarily to remind viewers of all ages to slow down and relax every now and then.
Rotten Tomatoes Note: 100%
Watch on Netflix
“Sonic the Hedgehog”
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While the initial concept for the title character didn't quite work out, Jeff Fowler's 2020 “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie ended up being a fun romp starring SEGA's supersonic mascot (voiced by Ben Schwartz).
In this first part, he arrives on our planet and settles in Green Hills, Montana, after a tragedy on a distant planet. On Earth, he crosses paths with the local sheriff, Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), who helps him face his nemesis, Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey).
It’s a fun, perfectly fast-paced family film that impressed fans and made a killing at the box office, spawning a slew of future sequels. If you’re into Sonic stuff, there’s plenty more to enjoy. “Sonic 2” introduced the world to a version of Knuckles voiced by none other than Idris Elba (who went on to get his own show on Paramount Plus). And later this year, we’ll get “Sonic 3,” a third sequel that brings in Keanu Reeves to voice Shadow the Hedgehog.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 64%
Watch on Paramount Plus
“The Last of Us”
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In 2013, Naughty Dog released The Last Of Us, a post-apocalyptic adventure that follows two survivors, Joel and Ellie, through a version of America ravaged by a fungal pandemic, which has transformed much of the population into zombie-like monsters. It's a terrifying and thrilling journey, telling a moving and deeply human story.
Ten years later, Max's live-action adaptation of “The Last Of Us” brought Joel and Ellie's story to the small screen, perfectly capturing the emotion of the original game while reimagining and/or expanding on elements of what came before. The series deserves all the praise and awards it's earned, thanks to excellent performances, moving writing, and stunning production design. It's truly a must-see; get me “The Last Of Us” season 2 now!
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Watch it on Max
“The Werewolves Within”
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“Werewolves Within” is probably the strangest adaptation on this entire list. Even casual gamers are familiar with mascots from franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario, or Pikachu, but I bet anyone who’s seen this horror comedy didn’t even know it was based on a mafia-style mystery game.
This hilarious and horrific thriller shifts the game's medieval setting to the small town of Beaverfield. Newcomer Finn Wheeler (Sam Richardson) arrives in town to become the new ranger.
At first, the town may seem peaceful, but things take a turn for the worse when some of the quarrelsome townspeople start getting attacked by the werewolf that lives among them. As hysteria sets in and the body count rises, the remaining townspeople continue to butt heads with each other and things spiral into chaos. There are laughs and enough twists and turns to keep you entertained until the credits roll.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
Watch it on AMC Plus