Polygon.com / 29.04.25

The video game movie and TV adaptations that actually work

Theres now a long and storied history of video game adaptations, from 1993s Super Mario Bros. to, uh, 2023s The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Theres also a litany of upcoming based-on-a-video-game movie projects, including planned adaptations of [deep breath] Gears of War, Ghost of Tsushima, Metal Gear Solid, Space Invaders, Death Stranding, and Just Dance. But of the ones already out there and watchable at home, which are worth your time? Polygon is here to help. Were including movie and television adaptations here, but many readers will probably notice the omission of Netflixs The Witcher. Thats no slight against the show, but it doesnt qualify; while the series probably wouldnt exist without the video game franchise, it is an adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowskis books. You may also notice the lack of A Minecraft Movie, fresh off its massive box-office success. While the movie exceeded many expectations (and still has us reflexively yelling Chicken jockey! far more often than we might like), ...
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