Video game adaptations aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Face it, the genre has often been on the receiving end of mixed reviews and success at the box office. However in recent years, some productions have bucked the trend.
No doubt Super Mario Bros is the latest exception to the rule. The Illumination production has thus far garnered over USD1 billion at the box office. Video game adaptations such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Pokémon have also generated a fair bit of success.
With Super Mario Bros movie setting the box office records for the biggest opening weekend for an animated film and highest grossing movie for 2023 thus far, JustWatch has also updated its charts of the other most popular video game adaptation movies and shows of all time.
Violence Reigns Supreme
When it comes to film, movie adaptations of other cult classic games like Sonic the Hedgehog and Pokémon have also proven to be some of the most popular of all time. According to JustWatch, 2022’s Uncharted starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg reign supreme along with popular adaptations such as Warcraft, Tomb Raider and Mortal Kombat in the top ten.
When it comes to TV shows, the rankings are also a little less family friendly. Evidently audiences prefer darker, more video violent games when it comes to adaptations. Proof of that lie in hit shows like HBO’s The Last Of Us and Netflix’s dark animated spins of Arcane, CastleVania and Dota: Dragon’s Blood. In total, the shows intended for more mature audiences occupy 9 out of the top 10 spots according to JustWatch.
(Image: JustWatch/ HBO/ Sony)