The Best Video Games Based on Movies

Sure, movies based on video games have a terrible reputation. But what about video games based on movies? Well, honestly, it’s a mixed bag as well. E.T. for the Atari famously ended up in landfills rather than consumer homes.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any great games based on movies. In fact, there are quite a few worth playing for the first time or revisiting! So join us as we rank our most favorite ten video games that are based on movies.

10. Scarface

Scarface: The World Is Yours (2006) is based on the 1983 film Scarface directed by Brian De Palma and starring Al Pacino. However, the game avoids the trap of trying to retell the film story. Instead, it’s a sequel of the film, exploring alternate events where Tony Montana survives the assault on his mansion.

Players walk in the shoes of Tony Montana as he attempts to rebuild his empire. Much like Grand Theft Auto, the game is an open-world crime simulator. Scarface: The World Is Yours earns respect for faithfully maintaining the tone of the film and accurately portraying Tony Montana.

9. Aladdin

Disney’s Aladdin is a 1993 2D platformer based on the 1992 animated film. Gamers have long debated which version is superior: The Sega Genesis by Virgin Games USA or the Super Nintendo by Capcom. Players can decide for themselves, as both versions are available in the Disney Classic Games Collection.

But Disney’s Aladdin is one of the best-selling Sega Genesis games of all time. In the game, Aladdin uses a scimitar for short-range slashing attacks. Apples are for long-range ammunition and can be collected throughout the game. Aladdin also has to be aware of environmental hazards. He can collect gems and trade them for extra lives and “wishes.”

8. Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th: The Game is a 2017 survival horror game based on the horror film franchise that started with the 1980 film Friday the 13th. It’s unique among video games based on movies, as it is a multiplayer game. It’s a fun survival game where all but one player takes on the roles of camp counselors trying to survive an attack by Jason Vorhees, who is controlled by the player who didn’t get a counselor spot.

The semi-open-world of Friday the 13th: The Game is a thrilling ride. The Jason character has advantages, such as supernatural powers that can be used to hunt down counselors. If any players get away from Camp Crystal Lake, then Jason loses the match.

7. King Kong

King Kong (a.k.a. Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie or Peter Jackson’s King Kong) is based on the movie directed by Peter Jackson. Both were released in 2005. Like the film, Jackson and the game’s director Michel Ancel re-created a similar fantastic adventure through Skull Island fraught with danger.

The game King Kong brings voice acting from the film’s stars, including Jack Black, Naomi Watts, and Adrian Brody. Critics have praised the game’s immersive environment. The finale allows players to take control of King Kong in the iconic showdown with planes atop the Empire State Building.

6. The Chronicles of Riddick

On rare occasions, and this is one, a video game delivers a better story than the film it promotes. The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay is one of the best examples. It’s based on the 2004 film The Chronicles of Riddick by director David Twohy. The movie was a sequel to the film Pitch Black (2000), while the game’s story is a prequel.

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay is an FPS game that was released in 2004 and combines action and stealth. Actor Vin Diesel, who played protagonist Richard B. Riddick in both films, voices in the game.

5. The Return of the King

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a 2003 hack-and-slash action game based on Peter Jackson’s film of the same name. The game is a sequel to 2002’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Not only was the film epic – winning all of its 11 Academy Awards nominations – but so is the game.

Players can play as members of the Fellowship in single-player or cooperative mode. Many view The Return of the King as one of the best video game adaptations ever made. It’s voiced by some of the film’s stars, including Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Elijah Wood, and Sean Astin.

4. The Warriors

The Warriors is a 2005 beat ’em up video game based on the cult classic film The Warriors (1979). Rockstar Games remained faithful to the movie while expanding the plot to create a more fleshed-out story overall. It’s sure to appease both a new generation and long-time fans.

The Warriors is an action-adventure survival with multiple playable characters. Like the film, the focus is heavy on brawling. There are other minor gameplay elements, such as graffiti tagging to mark turf and insulting people. Players can train levels of physical fitness for increased stamina. There are also extra missions outside Coney Island.

3. Mad Max

Mad Max is a 2015 action-adventure video game with a lot of sand and even more destruction. Although released around the same time as the movie Mad Max: Fury Road, the game draws from the franchise as a whole. As such, it creates an original story that involves similar themes and messages as the films.

The open-world, post-apocalyptic setting of Mad Max provides lots of adventure and action. Players find themselves in an environment suffering from ecocide and short on resources. Players assume the role of “Mad” Max Rockatansky. They build their vehicle, the “Magnum Opus,” and engage in vehicular combat against a gang of raiders.

2. GoldenEye 007

GoldenEye 007 is a 1997 FPS game based on the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye. It revolutionized the genre of first-person shooters bringing a more realistic style. It’s considered one of the best video games ever made, especially for fans of multiplayer matches. The game received four awards from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. It’s the third-best-selling Nintendo 64 game of all time.

This game features characters from the Bond franchise. Every level of GoldenEye 007 has specific missions Bond must complete, determined by difficulty. Another notable element is its multiplayer mode, which allows up to 4 players to compete in several split-screen deathmatch scenarios.

1. Alien: Isolation

Alien: Isolation is a 2014 survival horror game based on the Alien film franchise. The game excels at capturing the haunting feel of the films while delivering a strong, original story and excellent gameplay. The events are set 15 years after the events of the original film, Alien (1979).

In this single-player action-adventure game, the player controls Amanda Ripley, daughter of Alien protagonist Ellen Ripley. While investigating the disappearance of her mother, Amanda must use both stealth and wit to avoid, outsmart, and defeat not only the alien but also hostile human survivors and androids.