The video game industry rakes in absurd amounts of money, so of course Hollywood is constantly scouting for the next popular video game to adapt to the silver screen. And while movies based on video games have pretty bad reputations overall, there are definitely some success stories.
These are the ten highest-grossing movies that were based on video games. Let’s get started!
10. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter was the sixth chapter in the Resident Evil film franchise. All are based on the Resident Evil video game series which debuted in 1996. Milla Jovovich stars in each of the first six films, all directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. Although it was the final chapter for them, there’s a 2021 reboot, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter only recouped a little over half of its $40 million budget domestically with $26,830,068. However, it was highly successful internationally, earning $285,412,558 and a whopping $312,242,626 worldwide. Overall, the six Anderson films with Jovovich raked in more than $1 billion.
9. Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Sonic the Hedgehog is based on the Sega video game series. The film’s first trailer in 2019 received near-unanimous criticism when released online due to Sonic’s humanoid appearance. A redesign prompted a delay in release until 2020. The creators got it right, and the film went on to great success and positive reviews. The movie stars Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, and Jim Carrey.
Sonic the Hedgehog became the highest-grossing video game movie of all time in the United States, only to be surpassed recently by its sequel. The film earned $148,974,665 domestically, and $170,741,018 internationally. Its worldwide tally totaled $319,715,683.
8. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) is an action/fantasy film based on the Prince of Persia video game series and an adaptation of the 2003 game of the same name. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan. Costars include Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina, Gemma Arterton, and Toby Kebbel.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time earned good reviews with director Mike Newell (Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire) at the helm. Domestically, the film took in $90,759,676, not earning back even half of its estimated $200 million budget. However, it succeeded internationally, earning $245,606,000, and $336,365,676 worldwide to become profitable.
7. The Angry Birds Movie (2016)
It’s hard to understate what a phenomenon the Angry Birds video game was, so a movie based on it was a no-brainer. It also spawned a 2019 sequel, while the franchise has led to comics, books, and animated series. The film brought together an all-star voice cast including Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Sean Penn, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, and Peter Dinklage.
The Angry Birds Movie received good reviews and was highly successful at the box office. The film earned well over its estimated $73 million budget at the domestic box office, taking in $107,509,366. Internationally, the film made $244,824,563, and a total of $352,333,929.
6. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) is a sequel to the 2020 film, Sonic the Hedgehog. Both are based on the Sega video game franchise that launched in 1991. Sonic 2 is a live-action adventure/comedy/action film that stars James Marsden, Jim Carrey, and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic. Jeff Fowler directed both the 2020 and 2022 films.
The 2020 Sonic film was the highest-grossing video game movie in the U.S. until the 2022 film surpassed it. Domestically, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 earned $190,872,904 at the box office. It made $214,548,614 internationally and $405,421,518 worldwide. Plans are underway for Sonic 3 and a Knuckles TV series.
5. Uncharted (2022)
Uncharted is an action-adventure film based on the series of the same name, which follows a group of treasure hunters who travel the globe to uncover various historical mysteries. The film stars Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Antonio Banderas, Sophia Ali, and Tatum Gabrielle. A sequel is likely, as Sony Pictures CEO Tom Rothman called Uncharted Sony’s next big franchise.
Uncharted was highly successful, earning $44 million on its opening weekend in the US. The film made back its estimated $120 million budget at the domestic box office by earning $148,648,820. Internationally, the film raked in $258,492,438, for a whopping $407,141,258 worldwide.
4. Rampage (2018)
“Big Meets Bigger” is the tagline of Rampage, and the film stars one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, literally and physically: Dwayne Johnson. It’s based on the video game series that debuted in 1986. The Rock plays a primatologist who works with a supersized gorilla to fight other monster-sized mutated animals from destroying Chicago. The film also stars Naomie Harris, and Malin Ackerman, and was directed by Brad Peyton.
Domestically, Rampage fell slightly short of its estimated $120 million budget, taking in $101,028,233. However, the film was a success internationally, earning $327,000,000. Worldwide, the film earned a massive $428,028,233.
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3. Warcraft (2016)
Warcraft (also known as Warcraft: The Beginning) is an action fantasy film based on the video game franchise of the same name. Spider-Man director Sam Raimi was attached at one point but dropped out and was replaced by Duncan Jones. Nonetheless, the final product was met with generally good reviews.
Warcraft stars Travis Fimmel as Anduin Lothar, Paula Patton as Garona, and Ben Foster as Medivh. Domestically, Warcraft failed to earn back its estimated $160 million budget, only taking in $47,365,290. However, internationally, the film was a big success earning $391,683,624. Overall, the film did massive numbers, making $439,048,914 worldwide.
2. Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)
Based on the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon Detective Pikachu is a mystery/fantasy/comedy film loosely based on the 2016 video game of the same name. It was the first live-action film based on the franchise and was well-reviewed. The film features the voice of Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu, Justice Smith as Tim Goodman, and Kathryn Newton as Lucy Stevens.
Pokémon Detective Pikachu is the second-highest-grossing movie worldwide based on a video game. It’s notable for the incredible CGI pocket monsters and epic fight scenes. The film earned $144,174,568 domestically at the box office, $289,303,033 internationally, and $449,762,638 worldwide.
1. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Don’t confuse this with 1993’s widely panned live-action flick Super Mario Bros., which was a dark version of the lighthearted series. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a highly-rated animated comedy. The film features the voices of Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, and Jack Black as Bowser.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie was released on April 5, 2023, and raked in $377 million worldwide in the first five days. Domestically, the film earned $574,934,330. Internationally, it garnered $787,009,114. Worldwide, it made an incredible $1,361,943,444. It’s the first film based on a video game to gross over $1 billion.
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