Every Video Game Movie from Recent Years, Ranked Worst to Best

Video game adaptations have come a long way, evolving from notorious flops to cultural juggernauts that captivate gamers and casual viewers alike. The last decade (2015–2025) has delivered a slew of these films, from the pixelated chaos of A Minecraft Movie to the high-speed antics of Sonic the Hedgehog. Each faces the same hurdle: honoring the interactive spirit of the source material while crafting a standalone cinematic story. Some nail this balance, others crash spectacularly. With A Minecraft Movie’s recent Rotten Tomatoes scores—46% from critics, 87% from audiences—sparking debate, we rank nine notable video game movies from recent years, worst to best, based on critical and audience reception, fidelity to the games, and storytelling impact.

9. Borderlands (2024)

Directed by: Eli Roth

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Hart

At the bottom sits Borderlands, a 2024 live-action take on Gearbox’s irreverent looter-shooter. Following vault hunters led by Lilith (Cate Blanchett) on a treasure hunt across Pandora, it promised wild action but delivered a muddled mess. Critics obliterated it with a 10% Rotten Tomatoes score, citing a incoherent plot and tonal whiplash, while audiences gave a lukewarm 50% approval. The starry cast felt miscast, failing to capture the game’s gonzo charm, and the script leaned on tired sci-fi tropes. Grossing just $33 million against a $115 million budget, it’s a cautionary tale of prioritizing IP over substance. Borderlands’s failure across the board cements its place as the weakest video game movie of the decade.

8. Uncharted (2022)

Directed by: Ruben Fleischer

Starring: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg

Uncharted adapts Naughty Dog’s swashbuckling adventure game, with Tom Holland as Nathan Drake and Mark Wahlberg as Sully chasing lost treasure. Released in 2022, it delivers flashy action but falters with a generic story and divisive casting—fans wanted Nathan Fillion or a closer Drake match. Critics gave it a 40% Rotten Tomatoes score, calling it a pale Indiana Jones clone, though audiences embraced it at 90% for Holland’s charm and stunts. Grossing $400 million worldwide, it’s a commercial win but narratively shallow, missing the game’s wit and heart. Uncharted ranks low for playing it safe, lacking the depth to elevate it beyond popcorn fodder.

7. Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)

Directed by: Emma Tammi

Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail

Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023) brings the horror game’s haunted pizzeria to life, with Josh Hutcherson’s guard unraveling animatronic terrors. It nails the game’s creepy vibe and fan-favorite Easter eggs but stumbles with a weak plot and inconsistent scares. Critics trashed it at 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, faulting its lack of horror heft, while fans boosted it to 87% for its loyalty to the source. Earning $291 million globally despite a streaming release, it rode fan passion to success. However, its niche appeal and failure to hook broader audiences keep it mid-tier. Five Nights is a love letter to players but doesn’t transcend its gaming roots.

6. A Minecraft Movie (2025)

Directed by: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Jennifer Coolidge

A Minecraft Movie adapts the world’s best-selling game, thrusting four misfits into the Overworld alongside Steve (Jack Black) for a creative survival quest. Its 46% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes reflects a polarized reception—reviewers like The Globe and Mail called it a “creativity-killer,” slamming its formulaic plot and chaotic humor as a betrayal of Minecraft’s open-ended spirit. Yet, audiences awarded an 87% approval, cheering its vibrant visuals, Jack Black’s goofy energy, and game nods like creepers and crafting. Grossing $313 million in its opening weekend, it smashed box office records for video game movies, fueled by families and fans.

So why only #6? While audience love suggests a higher rank—matching Five Nights’s fan-driven score—Minecraft’s critical drubbing highlights flaws that can’t be ignored. Unlike higher-ranked films, it leans too heavily on spectacle over substance, with a Jumanji-esque story that feels derivative. Critics argue it fails to capture the game’s limitless imagination, a core tenet fans expect. Still, Black and Jason Momoa’s charisma and the film’s kid-friendly romp give it an edge over Uncharted and Five Nights, but not enough to crack the top tier, where storytelling depth matters more.

5. Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)

Directed by: Rob Letterman

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith

Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019) dives into the Pokémon world with a mystery starring Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) and a wise-cracking Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds). Its stunning CGI Pokémon—think Squirtle and Snorlax—thrilled fans, earning a 68% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes for its visuals and humor. Audiences gave it 79%, loving the Ryme City setting but noting a predictable plot. Grossing $433 million globally, it proved Pokémon’s big-screen potential. However, sidelining battles and exploration from the games limits its scope. Ranking mid-list, Detective Pikachu shines for fans but doesn’t fully unleash the franchise’s adventurous heart, keeping it below the top four.

4. Gran Turismo (2023)

Directed by: Neill Blomkamp

Starring: Archie Madekwe, David Harbour

Gran Turismo (2023) dramatizes the true story of gamer-turned-racer Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), trained by a grizzled coach (David Harbour). Unlike most video game movies, it’s grounded in reality, translating the racing sim’s precision into gripping track sequences. Critics gave it a 63% Rotten Tomatoes score, praising its underdog vibe but noting cliches, while audiences raved at 98% for its heart and thrills. Earning $122 million globally, it overperformed for a niche title. Gran Turismo ranks higher for its emotional stakes and game-inspired authenticity, outpacing Minecraft’s flashier but less cohesive effort. It’s a win for storytelling over fan service.

3. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

Directed by: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic

Starring: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) catapults Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) into an animated Mushroom Kingdom to battle Bowser (Jack Black). Brimming with game references—Rainbow Road, Tanooki suits—it’s a nostalgic blast. Critics scored it at 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, docking points for a thin story, but audiences gave a 95% approval, propelling it to $1.3 billion globally, the biggest video game movie ever. Jack Black’s Bowser steals the show, and the visuals pop. Ranking third, it surpasses Minecraft for its tighter execution and universal appeal, though its reliance on Easter eggs over narrative depth keeps it from the top two.

2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

Directed by: Jeff Fowler

Starring: Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey, James Marsden

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) ups the ante, with Sonic (Ben Schwartz) joining Tails and Knuckles to foil Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Expanding Sega’s universe with Chaos Emeralds and game-accurate action, it balances humor and heart. Critics gave it a 69% Rotten Tomatoes score for its pacing and fidelity, while audiences loved it at 96% for its family-friendly fun. Grossing $489 million globally, it solidified Sonic’s franchise status. Compared to Minecraft, Sonic 2 offers sharper storytelling and deeper game ties, earning a higher spot for its polish and broad appeal, though it leans on familiar sequel beats.

1. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)

Directed by: Jeff Fowler

Starring: Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey, Keanu Reeves

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) claims the crown as the best video game movie of recent years. Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Tails, and Knuckles face Robotnik (Jim Carrey) and newcomer Shadow (Keanu Reeves), weaving Sonic Adventure 2’s lore into a thrilling, emotional ride. Certified Fresh at 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s a critical darling, with audiences at 92% for its heart and spectacle. Grossing $489 million globally, it matches Sonic 2’s haul but elevates the stakes with Shadow’s nuanced arc. Unlike Minecraft’s divisive execution, Sonic 3 blends game fidelity with cinematic depth, proving video game movies can soar when they respect fans and newcomers alike.

See also: Ranking Disney’s Live-Action Princess Movies: From Flawed to Flawless

Final Thoughts

Video game movies have shed their cursed reputation, with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 setting a gold standard for blending game lore with blockbuster storytelling. A Minecraft Movie’s 87% audience score shows its fan-driven appeal, but its 46% critics’ score and narrative shortcomings—lacking the game’s creative spark—justify its mid-tier #6 rank, trailing films like Gran Turismo and Super Mario that better balance heart and execution. Flops like Borderlands remind us of the genre’s pitfalls, while successes like Sonic and Mario highlight its potential. As studios tap more gaming IP, the key is crafting stories that resonate beyond the controller. What’s your favorite video game movie, and which game deserves a shot on the big screen next?