But that’s all changed recently. Video game adaptations such as “Sonic the Hedgehog” and “The Angry Birds Movie” have dominated the box office in recent years, grossing millions of dollars. Even the recent release of Tom Holland’s “Uncharted” fared better than most, receiving a score of 39 percent, putting it in contention for a spot among the top ten adaptations. It’s possible that we’ll start seeing a lot more gamers at the movies.
To observe how things have changed over time, Rotten Tomatoes looked back at some of the finest and worst video game film adaptations. They compiled a list of films that had a theatrical release and received at least 20 positive reviews from reviewers.
Here are the rankings for some of the best and worst video game adaptations…
THE MOST HORRIBLE
In the Dark by Yourself
1% of the population
Alone In The Dark, a survival horror video game was adapted for the big screen in 2005, and reviews blasted it. The supernatural detective Edward Carnby, played by Christian Slater and Tara Reid, uncovers a long-lost tribe known as the Abskani in this film.
He soon learns that the tribe worships demons and that the evil creatures are seeking to reappear in the real world. To defeat the nefarious powers aiming to take over Edward’s mind, Edward must link up with archeologist Aline Cedrac.
The House of the Dead is a haunted house where the dead
3 percent rating
“House of the Dead,” based on the horror-themed arcade shooting game, was released in theaters in 2003, despite the wishes of many critics. The film depicts a group of friends who are planning to attend a rave on a distant island, only to discover that everyone has been slain by zombies when they arrive.
They must avoid the undead and return home safely. While the picture was intended to be frightening, it failed to do so and left many people giggling.
Chun-Legend Li’s (Street Fighter)
3 percent rating
Chun-Li, a Street Fighter character, had her own big-screen feature in 2009, but it bombed at the box office. The non-canon spin-off and theatrical tie-in to Street Fighter IV, “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li,” detailed Chun-backstory. Li’s The film followed Chun-Li as she joined forces with other activists to combat criminal leader Bison and his quest to take control of Bangkok’s slums.
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is a fighting game developed by Capcom.
4 out of 5 stars
The 1995 film “Mortal Kombat: Annihilation” paled in contrast to the original film based on the martial arts video game. A portal between the Outerworld and Earth opens up in the sequel, and the Emperor of the Outerworld seizes the chance.
He sneaks through with his strong troops, intent on ultimate dominance and connecting the two worlds, with just seven days to achieve his mission. The film was widely derided by critics due to its lack of plot development, shallow characters, and low-budget special effects.
A Dungeon Siege Story in the Name of the King
4 out of 5 stars
“In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale,” based on the medieval action role-playing game, stars Jason Statham in 2007. The story follows Farmer, who embarks on a courageous adventure to recover his kidnapped wife and avenge their son, who was killed by Krugs warriors.
Meanwhile, an evil army is sent to dethrone the rightful monarch, and war looms in the idyllic realm. Unfortunately, critics laughed at the dialogue, dismissing the terrible performance.
THE VERY BEST
Mortal Kombat is a fighting game developed by Capcom.
The rating is 54%.
The Mortal Kombat franchise’s current rebirth succeeded significantly better than the 1990s video game version. In the year 2021, MMA fighter Cole Young is pursued by Emperor Shang Tsung’s greatest warrior, Sub-Zero, from the Outworld.
When a Special Forces Major tells him to look for Sonya Blade, he finds himself at the temple of Lord Raiden, an Elder God and Earthrealm’s defender. There, he trains with seasoned warriors in preparation to face out against Outerworld foes in a high-stakes battle for the cosmos with Earth’s best champions.
Sonic the Hedgehog is a video game created by Sega.
63 percent of people agree.
In the game’s 2020 big-screen adaptation, Jim Carrey helped bring Sonic The Hedgehog to life. As Sonic adjusts to his new home on Earth, critics complimented the film’s humorous scenes. That is, until he mistakenly disables the electrical grid, drawing the attention of Dr. Robotnik, the evil genius. Sonic must race the supervillain across the globe in an all-out battle to prevent Robotnik from using Sonic’s special power to gain world dominance.
Pikachu, the Pokémon Detective
68 percent approval rating
Although “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” is simply one of numerous Pokémon film adaptations, it is by far the most popular among critics. The live-action film stars Ryan Reynolds and picks up after investigator Harry Goodman inexplicably vanishes.
Tim, Harry’s son, teams up with Detective Pikachu, Harry’s former Pokémon partner, to figure out what occurred. They quickly learn that the two can communicate, and as the only humans who can converse with Pikachu, they band together to solve the tangled enigma.
The Angry Birds Movie 2 is a sequel to the first Angry Birds film.
73% approval rating
Angry Birds began as a simple iPhone game and has since grown to include two films, the second of which is a critical favorite. The “delightfully amusing” film received a 73 percent rating as it followed Red, Chuck, Bomb, and the rest of their feathery companions on their latest trip.
In “Angry Birds 2,” the gang is astonished when a green pig recommends that they put their differences aside and band together to battle hostile birds who are planning to ruin the fowl and swine way of life with an ingenious weapon. The newly united birds and pigs devise a plan to destroy the device and save their home after selecting their best and brightest.
Werewolves in the House
86 percent approval rating
“Werewolves Within,” one of the first VR games to have a big-screen adaptation, shifted the game’s medieval setting to the current day. Residents of the little village of Beaverfield are confined together inside the local inn during a snowfall in the film, which critics have dubbed a “masterful comedy.” As tensions build, they must band together to discover the truth about a mystery beast terrorizing the neighborhood.
