From Controllers to Popcorn

Couches and Cinema 

For video games, the big screen is nothing new. Famous titles like Super Mario and Mortal Kombat have had film adaptations since the late 90s. While the older movies didn’t have the technology we have today, they set the groundwork for game-to-movie potential –and it seems as if additional titles are making their move to the theaters. So, plug in a controller, grab some popcorn, and let’s talk video game movies!

A Popcorn Power-Up

In some way, shape, or form, everyone knows Mario. Whether it be through the games, memes, or movies, Mario has been on every size of screen there is and that’s not a coincidence. In an interview with Polygon, Shigeru Miyamoto (the creator of Mario), states that Mario has “always evolved alongside the evolution of digital media.” Meaning he’s more than just a video game character and we can see this in action with the success of The Super Mario Bros (2023) and The Super Mario Galaxy (2026) movies.

Our favorite plumber’s return to theaters is doing more than making Mario fans happy, it’s introducing him to new audiences in brand new ways. Plus, if you aren’t much of a gamer, but are a fan of our mushroom-eating hero, you’re able to enjoy it in a way you prefer. But, this is bigger than just Mario. 

Where’s My Controller?

Oftentimes, gaming movies fall short of the mark –or at the very least, can be considered “bad” adaptations. However, technology isn’t to blame for the disconnect between games and their film adaptations, the “lack of interaction” as our teammate Corey W. puts it. 

A huge portion of what makes gaming such a beautiful form of art is the player engagement. With every button pressed and joy stick moved, not only are you interacting with the story, you become a part of it. Even with today’s software advances and all the intricate features they bring, movies aren’t able to provide those levels of synergy with their audiences. Which could explain why gamers and movie-goers feel the need for more after watching an adaptation.

Regardless of its form, a video game or movie should exist to be enjoyed. Although it can be important to adhere to the source material, it shouldn’t be the driving force behind what categorizes them as “good” or “bad”. Finding the overlap between appreciation and the new experience is key. And this is what I’m getting at. Trading out your shield-pots for large cokes, or the other way around, will only make you enjoy being a part of the creative culture that much more. 

In fact, enjoying your favorite titles through other forms of media can make up for what's lost in the adaptation process. Engaging with additional story lines like Destiny’s lore and world-building books, or even watching spin offs like Cyberpunk Edgerunners, deepen the connection you have with the game. 

It all comes back to having more ways of immersion. I don’t think the majority of the Mortal Kombat fandom would argue that MK Annihilation should’ve won over Titanic in the ‘97 Oscars, but the fact that it was in theaters and had its five minutes of fame was enough room for celebration. 

Liu Kang (1) aside, an integral part of the video game experience is its playability and that’s hard to convey during a movie. Take Five Nights at Freddy’s for example. How do you make switching through security feeds a cinematic experience without it being an expensive YouTube playthrough? 

It’s All About Staying True 

Well, in many movie adaptations there are multiple paths the film could take. The FNAF movie (2) could have easily been a found-footage (3) horror take on the franchise’s darker themes, but instead, opted for a closer perspective on the animatronics. 

Adaptations like these highlight the importance of sticking to the original material, while still making the end product a coherent and meanwhile experience for the audience. This is why directors work closely with game creators, or prominent figures in the game’s community to ensure the production remains true to the source, despite the change in media forms. 

A great example of this are the recent announcements that JackSepticEye is working on a Bloodborne movie with Sony, or that Hidetaka Miyazaki, the creator of Elden Ring, is joining up with Alex Garland for an Elden Ring film. 

We don’t know much about the two films other than the expected launch of the Elden Ring movie in 2028 and that Bloodborne will be an R-Rated animation. And if you know anything about the city of Yharnam, this is already a step in the right direction for the film as a whole. But, as vast as FromSoftware games are, the room for error is daunting. 

As previously mentioned, there’s so many ways a studio can make a film, and as a fan of both games, the fear of directors whiffing their attempts is quite scary. The immense potential these movies can have, or lack thereof, is another reason why movie adaptations are quick to be under fire from fans. 

 For many big titles like Bloodborne and Elden Ring, there’s a lot to live up to, but I’m hyped for some soulslike (4) cinema. While I share the fears of many fans, I have no doubts that the individuals working on this project will deliver a great adaptation. And if these games can handle moving to the big screen, what else can?

Game Over! Continue?

With all the video games available to gamers today, the possibilities for movie adaptations are endless. I’ll be honest, not every game needs a movie though. As cool as a live action Zuma movie would be, there are a few things to consider before production companies start casting the Rock to play the main role.

 First off, making a movie about matching colored balls probably won't go over well in the box office. Sure, they could phone in a story somewhere, but the point of the game is to play, not watch. Just like finding the overlap between appreciating the finished product, you also have to find the compatibility between the game itself and what it would mean to translate into theaters.

This is why the FromSoftware movies could work. The games extend past the controller and aren’t solely about swinging a sword at demented demi-gods –and many games can follow this trend of being more than just its gameplay. Lore-rich titles like Destiny, or Elder Scrolls could theoretically see major success as movies, but giving gamers more ways to immerse themselves and the opportunity for the games to reach new audiences is what I’m really getting at here. 

While I have my favorites, I’m not someone who regularly enjoys movies and I get a lot of flak from loved ones because of it. However, you’re joking if you don’t believe I’ll drag people with me to theaters to watch games I have hundreds of hours in. And who knows? Maybe after watching a movie I’ll boot up a console to explore the game it was based on. Or, maybe after beating a game I’ll find a movie that’s just like it. Either way, it bridges the gap between the titles we love and offers up new ways to enjoy them –no matter how cheesy they are.