No Reset – Movies About Video Games Coming To Life
Movies About Video Games
There is some movies about video games that I already reviewed as such Livescreamers (2024 film). Livescreamers is about a group of content creators named Janus Gaming, playing an indie horror game which results in their deaths. In recent years, there are video game adaptation films like The Super Mario Bros Movie (2023) and Sonic the Hedgehog movies. Most video game turned into live action movies were terrible and has a bad rap throughout the years. In 2024 and beyond, video game adaptations broke the mold of turning sore. I am a gamer at heart and wanted to see my favorite gaming franchise on the big screen. Depending on director and production team, learning the source material.
Fans will think this movie will be a hit or miss. In this blogpost, I will be listing movies about video games not adaptations (later post). I have watched some good and bad ones in my time. There are movies about VR like Expect No Mercy, The Lawnmower Man and possibly The Matrix. Don’t worry, I will have some mentions at the end of the post. Enough of the rambling about it, time to turn on the console and play. First, movies about video games is a film that I have watched before Pandemic.
Free Guy (2021) – 20thCentury Studios
Free Guy is very similar to The Truman Show and about an NPC trying to find his purpose in a fictional world called “Free City”. Ryan Reynolds is the heart of the movie along with other cast such as Lil Rel Howery, Taika Waititi and Joe Keery (Stranger Things). Free Guy also talks about video game development and content creating as well as AI. This movie was funny and recalls Second Life era, where players create virtual avatars to interact with others. There some references such as Grand Theft Auto, Fortnite and many more. Free Guy is not a bad film but enjoyable. The movie is available on DVD/Blu-Ray along with digital release as well.
Ready Player One (2018) – Warner Bros. Pictures
Ready Plater One is based on novel by Ernest Cline and Steven Spielberg. The plot is about Wade Watts (Tye Sherdan), a gunter that goes into a virtual reality simulation called OASIS (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation). Watts creates a avatar called Parzival and meets other characters like Aech along with Art3mis. Wade plays through different challenges based on The Shining and mor before Nalan Sorrento does. Ready Player One is one of the best movies based on video games. While I was at Otakon, there was a booth where Adventure (1980 Atari game) was displayed. I told the guy that I saw Ready Player One and was ecstatic. I would recommend watching this movie and available on DvD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.
Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021) – Warner Bros. Pictures
Space Jam: A New Legacy is sequel to 1996 film and follows Lebron James family especially his son. James’s son is an aspiring game developer but during a tour of Warner Bros Studios. Dominic gets kidnapped by AL-G Rhythm (Don Cheadle) who wants to take over Serververse. Leborn recruits Looney Tunes to face off against AL-G’s Goon Squad consists of real-life NBA Players like Anthony Davis (The Brow). Space Jam: A New Legacy is a miss for me because I really enjoy 90s film with Micheal Jordan. Overall, film is a cash-grab and promotional material for their IPs. CGI was not bad, and James’s acting is not the best. If you want to watch Space Jam: A New Legacy is available on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.
Proximity Media/ The SpringHill Company
Tetris (2023) – Apple TV+
Tetris (2023) is a biographical film based on Henk Rogers and Alexey Pajitnov (who created the game). Henk Rogers is the CEO of Bullet-Proof Software who wants Tetris to be localize in American. In the film, Henk gets in trouble with Russian laws trying to obtain the rights to Tetris from Alexey. Tetris (2023) mentions Nintendo, which Henk goes to Japan and reach a deal to sell the game. The movie is how Tetris reaches stateside and Henk’s family issues as well. Alexey had a full-time job while working on the game, which indie developers struggle with. I really miss gaming events like E3 and Consumer Electronics Show. Taron Egerton did a great job portraying Henk Rogers. Tetris (2023) is available now on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.
Pixels (2015) – Sony Pictures
Pixels (2015) is about Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler) who works as electronics installer. One day, Brenner is summoned by Violet van Petten (Michelle Monaghan) to face off against invaders based on Galaga. Sam along with Eddie Plant (Peter Dinklage) and Ludlow Lamonsoff (Josh Gad) face off against these invaders. Pixels is a comedy and has a lot of video game references like Donkey Kong along with Pac-Man. I didn’t take this film seriously, but it was fun to watch. Its not one of Adam Sandler good films but cast was hilarious. Pixels takes a jab at 1980s gaming era like Nintendo World Champions. The movie is available now for Bluray and DVD on Amazon.
Film Croppers Entertainment
Other Movies Based on Gaming
In closing of this blogpost, there is some mention like Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Wreck it Ralph and Scooby Doo Cyber Chase. I have reviewed Tron already but have to watch Jumanji: The Next Level soon. There are many more out there like Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over and The Wizard (1989) along with Wonderful Pretty Cure! The Movie: A Grand Adventure in a Thrilling Game World! I am sorry that I will not review all of them. There will be some that I will check out in the near future. Some movies about video games can be miss or hits in my opinion.
There might be more in the future that I hope to cover on this website. What your thoughts on movies about video games in the comments? Thank you for reading this blogpost. Tune into the next blogpost from yours truly.
Anjim Plays is a award-winning streamer from Washington DC, who is a advocate of blerd and gaming culture. I am willing to help others and work with brands.
