10 Video Games That Need to Be Made Into Films

It’s not exactly news that video game movies almost never work.

For some reason, despite massive fanbases, built-in storylines, and iconic characters, most video game-to-film adaptations end up either underwhelming at the box office, critically panned, or just flat-out weird. Remember Need for Speed? Neither do we. And Tomb Raider? Let’s be real, those movies made more headlines for Angelina Jolie’s wardrobe than for their storytelling. Silent Hill had its moments, but tried so hard to be edgy it forgot to make sense.

Why do they fail? A lot of it comes down to this: the best games already have great stories, but Hollywood either ignores them entirely or tries to force a plot onto a game that never needed one (looking at you, Super Mario Bros.). Instead of leaning into what makes these games iconic rich worlds, complex characters, and emotional storytelling, adaptations often feel like cheap fan fiction.

But that doesn’t mean we should give up. In fact, there are plenty of video games with such strong narratives and cinematic potential that we can’t help but imagine how incredible they’d be on the big screen. Here are ten that we think deserve a shot if done right.

1. The Last of Us – Oh Wait, They Actually Did This One Right

Let’s start by acknowledging that The Last of Us set the gold standard for what a video game adaptation can be. HBO took everything that made the game powerful, the post-apocalyptic atmosphere, the father-daughter dynamic between Joel and Ellie, and the morally gray storytelling and translated it into a prestige drama that fans and newcomers both loved. So while this technically already exists, it’s worth using as proof that game-to-screen adaptations can work when treated with respect.

2. Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption is a sprawling Western epic about redemption (no surprise there), loyalty, and the collapse of the American frontier. Picture this: a grim, slow-burning character drama set against the backdrop of a dying Wild West. You’ve got outlaws, gunfights, betrayal, and heartbreak, all wrapped in the story of John Marston, a man trying to escape his past but haunted at every turn. It’s basically Unforgiven meets The Godfather, and honestly, it could clean up at the Oscars if handled with the same grit and authenticity.

3. Bioshock

Imagine this: a film opens with a plane crash in the Atlantic Ocean. The protagonist swims to a mysterious lighthouse, enters a bathysphere, and descends into the underwater dystopia of Rapture. What follows is a philosophical mind-trip exploring free will, objectivism, and madness, all while being hunted by terrifying Big Daddies and splicers. Bioshock is already deeply cinematic, with world-building that rivals Blade Runner and a twist that redefines the entire narrative. Just don’t let it get turned into a generic action flick, it deserves better.

4. God of War (2018)

Not the original Greek mythology beat-‘em-ups, but the 2018 reboot that transformed Kratos from a rage-fueled demigod into a grieving, burdened father trying to raise his son in the Norse wilderness. This is a story about legacy, forgiveness, and what it means to be a parent when you were never taught how. Combine that emotional core with jaw-dropping mythology and brutal combat, and you’ve got the potential for a fantasy epic that rivals Game of Thrones and The Northman. Just cast Christopher Judge again. Please.

5. Horizon Zero Dawn

In a far-future Earth reclaimed by nature, humans live in tribal societies and hunt robotic animals using spears and bows. Yes, you read that right. Horizon Zero Dawn stars Aloy, a young hunter searching for answers about her origins, who uncovers a deep sci-fi conspiracy involving AI, extinction events, and long-forgotten technology. The visuals alone would be stunning, but it’s Aloy’s journey from outcast to hero that makes this story movie-worthy. Plus, we all want to see a thunderjaw in IMAX.

6. Mass Effect Trilogy

Space operas don’t get much better than this. Mass Effect is essentially Star Wars meets Star Trek, with better moral complexity. You’re Commander Shepard, and the galaxy is on the brink of destruction thanks to an ancient race of sentient machines. What makes this series so compelling isn’t just the space battles or alien politics, it’s the relationships. The crew of the Normandy feels real, and the choices Shepard makes can reshape the entire galaxy. Imagine a trilogy of films where every installment leaves you questioning what’s right, what’s necessary, and what it means to be a hero.

7. Ghost of Tsushima

This game is already so cinematic that most players felt like they were playing a movie. Set during the Mongol invasion of Japan in the 13th century, Ghost of Tsushima follows Jin Sakai, a samurai torn between honor and survival. It’s got breathtaking landscapes, tragic character arcs, and one of the most emotionally resonant endings in recent memory. A film adaptation done in the style of old Kurosawa films, black and white, dramatic lighting, sweeping scores could be both visually stunning and emotionally gutting. And yes, it’s reportedly already in development. Fingers crossed.

8. Disco Elysium

Hear us out. Not every video game movie needs to be full of explosions and CGI monsters. Disco Elysium is a dialogue-heavy, isometric detective RPG where you play as a deeply broken man trying to solve a murder while confronting his own existential crisis. It’s part True Detective, part Fight Club, and part philosophical fever dream. A movie adaptation could be surreal, uncomfortable, and brilliant, something more for indie film festivals than multiplexes, but unforgettable all the same.

9. Control

From the makers of Alan Wake comes Control, a supernatural thriller set in a shifting, reality-bending government building called the Federal Bureau of Control. Picture an SCP-like agency where objects of power can warp reality, and you’re Jesse Faden, a woman searching for her brother while slowly becoming the bureau’s new director. This could be Inception meets Stranger Things with a heavy dash of David Lynch. Weird? Absolutely. But in the right hands, it could be an unforgettable cinematic experience.

10. Metal Gear Solid

Yes, it’s absurd. Yes, it’s full of convoluted plotlines, triple agents, and military jargon no one understands. But Metal Gear Solid is also iconic, bold, and weirdly ahead of its time. It’s part stealth action, part political thriller, and part philosophical exploration of war, identity, and technology. Solid Snake might be gaming’s most reluctant badass, and his story, especially the MGS1 and MGS3 arcs deserves a faithful adaptation. Just promise us one thing: don’t skip the cardboard box.