The 5 Best Movies You Think Are Based On Video Games (But Aren't)
Video game movies have been around for decades. Big gaming franchises like Resident Evil, Mortal Kombat, and Tomb Raider have even made the jump from console to screen more than once. However, as exciting as the prospect of seeing your favorite characters on the big screen is, many of these movies were poorly received. While TV series like The Last of Us (2023) and Fallout (2024) seem to have rebuked the video game adaptation curse, sometimes the best video game movies aren't based on real games at all.
If these five movies have taught us anything, it's that you don't always need source material to create a compelling story. Technically, you might call these movies video game-inspired. With no shortage of homages and references, these films are so immersive that you wouldn't guess that they aren't actually based on real games. Boot up Apple TV, Prime Video, and more to watch them now.
The Last Starfighter's fictional arcade game might have you pulling up Google to search for ties to a real game. After all, what we see on screen perfectly captures the vibes of late '70s and early '80s sci-fi games like Space Invaders and Galaga. Ironically, Atari thought the same thing and dropped Star Raiders II in 1986 as both a sequel to 1979's Star Raiders and a tie-in to The Last Starfighter.
So, technically, The Last Starfighter isn't based on a real game, but sort of became one in a different form. One of the more family-friendly offerings on this list, this PG movie revolves around a kid who becomes entangled in a galactic war after achieving a high score in the titular arcade game. If you're craving something a little more nostalgic, The Last Starfighter is an underrated choice.
A black-ops soldier rescuing a baby from being killed by an assassin sounds like a plot device you'd find in a game like Tom Clancy's The Division, but Shoot 'em Up has nothing to do with video games. However, its fast-paced action, audacious premise, and borderline offensive humor will leave gamers wishing it were.
Shoot 'em Up is the ultimate choice for fans of similarly over-the-top action movies like John Wick (2014), Jack Reacher (2012), and basically any action flick with a guy's name in the title. This movie isn't trying to win awards; it's trying to entertain. Go in expecting a healthy dose of goofy action, and you'll be treated to a perfectly fun popcorn thriller you can enjoy alone or with friends.
Director Edgar Wright loves infusing his work with pop culture references. If you've followed him since Spaced (1999), then you already know Resident Evil and Tomb Raider got frequent shoutouts. Come Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, those video game references multiply by the dozens. From references to Zelda, Tetris, Street Fighter, and more to health bars and extra lives used in conjunction with Scott and his enemies, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a certified video game movie.
However, while it pulls from no shortage of games, it's not actually based on a specific one. Think of it more like a hodgepodge of gamer and nerd culture. Whether you identify with one of these groups or both, like me, then you'll be delighted by Scott Pilgrim's immersive world and unique aesthetic. Watch Shaun of the Dead (2004) after if you're left craving more of Edgar Wright's trademark style.
Wreck-It Ralph embraces a heartfelt humor that makes it feel akin to LEGO's line of video games. At some points, it leaves you questioning, "Wait, are you sure this isn't based on a real video game?" Unfortunately, it's not—or else I'd be playing that right now instead of writing this article. Unlike most of the other entries on this list, it also makes the ultimate family movie, with enough nostalgic Easter eggs to keep millennials and Gen X laughing and enough compelling storytelling to entertain younger generations.
It feels more modern and almost edgier than most of Walt Disney Animation's other projects (at least the ones without Pixar). Clever, funny, and surprisingly emotional, Wreck-It Ralph is perfect for gamers of all ages, especially those looking for a similar vibe to The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) or Sonic the Hedgehog (2020).
Often dubbed the best video game movie of all time, Edge of Tomorrow sees Tom Cruise get sucked into a time loop while battling aliens. Wildly cool? You bet it is. Funny enough, though, Edge of Tomorrow isn't based on a game and hasn't had any major platform adaptations. (A big missed opportunity if you're asking me.) Like Shoot 'em Up, Edge of Tomorrow is chock full of action and humor. However, it plays itself much more seriously and manages to deliver a competent sci-fi story in the process.
Really, it's a gamer's equivalent to Groundhog Day (1993). If you like that movie, you'll most certainly like this, especially if the thought of Tom Cruise doing Tom Cruise stunts sends a burst of excitement coursing through you. Little-known fact: Edge of Tomorrow is actually based on a Japanese light novel, which is receiving an anime adaptation in 2026. So, yeah, go watch that, too.
