Video game adaptations are an up-and-coming trend in the television and film industry. Despite the initial struggles that came with early adaptations, the genre has settled down and found success with recent movies making millions worldwide. Some have even transcended from being just game adaptations to being their own thing.
Behind the success of these movies are some of the biggest actors and actresses who play iconic video game characters for the big screen. Looking at the top 10 most-grossing video game adaptations of all time, it seems like a fierce battle between big names like Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson, Tom Holland, and more. There’s an undisputed king at number 1 though.
The original Sonic the Hedgehog overcame an early backlash over its character design to become a surprise hit. Grossing $320 million worldwide, the film introduced audiences to Ben Schwartz’s Sonic and Jim Carrey’s delightfully over-the-top Dr. Robotnik. Its success not only kickstarted a franchise but also demonstrated that studios willing to listen to fan feedback could turn a potential flop into a beloved hit.
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Disney’s Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time brought Ubisoft’s beloved video game series to the big screen. The film grossed $336 million globally, with much of its revenue coming from international markets.
Just like Warcraft, this one was criticized at the time of its release and it never ended up getting a sequel. But looking back at it today, it was a solid movie with a genuinely good story. Jake Gyllenhaal did a good job of portraying the character and really should’ve gotten a sequel.
Based on the popular mobile game, The Angry Birds Movie grossed $352 million worldwide. Sony’s adaptation of the iconic game featured an all-star voice cast, including Jason Sudeikis and Maya Rudolph. If you consider that the game is about slinging birds at pigs, it might sound ridiculous. But the movie was funny and good, and its story was a ton of fun.
The sequel to 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog saw the blue speedster return for another adventure. While the success of the first movie may have been shrugged off as an anomaly, the second one earning $405 million globally is what cemented its place and potential. Directed by Jeff Fowler, the film expanded the Sonic cinematic universe with the addition of fan-favorite characters Knuckles and Tails.
Based on Naughty Dog’s hit video game franchise on the PlayStation, the Uncharted movie grossed $407 million worldwide. Starring Mark Wahlberg and Tom Holland, it proved that Holland’s star power extended beyond the Spider-Man franchise. Despite mixed reviews, the movie’s adventurous spirit and box office performance suggest a promising future for potential sequels.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 recently raced to a massive $422 million at the global box office shortly after its December 2024 release. By 2024, the Sonic movies were already loved by fans worldwide, and this took it to the next level. (You can read our review of it here) Introducing Keanu Reeves as Shadow, Sonic 3 has cemented itself as one of the best adaptations of all time.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson teamed up with a giant gorilla in Rampage, loosely based on the classic arcade game. The movie earned $428 million worldwide and is a classic action flick from the recent era. Johnson’s charisma and blockbuster presence take over the movie even when the premise involves a supersized gorilla battling other monsters.
In a surprise entry on the list, 2016’s Warcraft takes third place. The reason it is puzzling is that the movie grossed $439 million globally but was a failure domestically in the US. Directed by Duncan Jones, the film explored the fantasy world of Azeroth and was a very promising adaptation of Blizzard Entertainment’s popular game series.
It’s really unfortunate because there were plans for a sequel and it was initially planned to be a trilogy. But following the domestic failure, those plans were shelved. Fans still regret that there’s no sequel to this day.
Taking the second place on the list is Pokémon Detective Pikachu. While the movie wasn’t a big wower in terms of its plot, it grossed $450 million so that says a lot about how strong the appeal for Pokémon is. With a mix of live-action and CGI, it featured a heartwarming storyline that became an instant hit.
At the top of the list is The Super Mario Bros. Movie from 2023 which grossed $1.36 billion globally, setting a record for the genre. (Figures taken via Wikipedia) Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, it has been a massive success that brings the iconic Nintendo characters to life with Chris Pratt as the voice of Mario.
While several films on this list achieved success, none have come close to the $1.36 billion earned by The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Never say never though. There are more video game adaptations in the works such as the Minecraft movie and others that will look to challenge the throne.
Whether it’s Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson, or Tom Holland leading the charge, there is a race for the top spot. For now, Chris Pratt and the Mushroom Kingdom reign supreme, with everyone else chasing from far below. Do you think the top spot can be taken? Let us know in the comments!
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