From Silver Screen to Console: 10 MUST-PLAY Video Games Based on Movies

Hollywood has had its fair share of attempts to turn hit video games into blockbuster movies—often with mixed results. Occasionally the film comes first, but let us tell you, that is by no means the recipe to a sure-fire hit. Far from it. There have been plenty of cringe-worthy attempts, with many games based on movies going up in flames faster than a poorly conceived plot twist. 

It's no easy feat to take a story from a big-budget film and turn it into a high-quality, interactive game. The magic of cinema doesn’t always translate into gaming glory. Yet, against the odds, some games have managed to leap from the silver screen and make an even bigger splash than their movie counterparts. 

Here are ten of the best video games based on films. Read, then dig in. 

1. GoldenEye 007

Film Series: James Bond
Platforms: Nintendo 64
Genre: First person shooter
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Rare
Year Released: 1997

Based on GoldenEye, the seventeenth installment in the James Bond film series, players step into the suave shoes of M16 agent 007. The mission? Stop a criminal syndicate from unleashing a Soviet-designed satellite weapon, code-named GoldenEye, on Great Britain. 

Why it's One of the Best: GoldenEye wasn’t just a game; it was a game-changer, and arguably the best video game ever based on a film. Its dynamic levels and immersive gadgets transformed first-person shooter games. The multiplayer mode was a revolutionary addition, turning every weekend sleepover into a four-player deathmatch extravaganza. The visuals might now have that pixelated charm, but GoldenEye remains the golden standard for film-based games. 

2. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 

Film Series: Star Wars
Platforms: PC, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Role Playing Game (RPG) 
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: BioWare
Year Released: 2003

Set 4,000 years before the rise of the Galactic Empire, Knights of the Old Republic thrusts players into a battle against the Sith and their formidable armada. With the Republic and the Jedi Order weekend by decades of war, the galaxy teeters on the edge of total destruction. But the biggest twist? You’re not just a player in this epic saga—you have the power to shape its outcome.

Why it's One of the Best: Knights of the Old Republic was a smash hit when it was first released in 2003. This RPG made you believe in the Force, giving players a chance to forge their own adventure in the Star Wars universe. With its deep storyline, character development and the infamous twist that made jaws drop, it remains a benchmark in storytelling. An epic space opera where every decision could lead you closer to the dark side—or not. 

3. Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor

Film Series: Lord of the Rings
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Genre: Action/Adventure/Stealth
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Developer: Monolith Productions
Year Released: 2014

Set between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Shadow of Mordor introduces Tailon, a ranger possessed by a wraith. As Tailon, you'll seek revenge against Sauron’s Black Captains who have slaughtered your family. 

Why it's One of the Best: Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor was heavily based on the Assassin’s Creed Series, copying its open sandbox world, combat, parkour and other gameplay aspects. However, Shadow of Mordor blazes into new territory with the Nemesis System, a revolutionary concept that creates real-time changes to enemy Uruk characters based on player decisions. If an Uruk is set on fire, but not killed, they will be left horribly disfigured and harbour a grudge against the player, often whining about the attack in future encounters. 

If an Uruk kills the player, they can get promoted to a higher rank in Sauron’s Army and openly taunt the player for getting killed. The gameplay is also an excellent example of the genre with smooth combat, a full range of abilities, upgrading opportunities and huge visually impressive environments to hunt down Uruks in. There is also a wide variety of side missions and a supporting cast of memorable characters. While it is a bit derivative of other games, Shadow of Mordor is still one of the best games based on a film.

4. Alien: Isolation

Film Series: Alien
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Action/Adventure, Stealth, Survival Horror
Publisher: Sega 
Developer: Creative Assembly 
Year Released: 2014

Fifteen years after Ellen Ripley’s disappearance, her daughter Amanda sets out to find her mother. What she finds is a space station overrun by a deadly Xenomorph.

Why it's One of the Best: Alien: Isolation captured the nerve-wracking tension of the original Alien film. Stranded on a space station with an unstoppable alien creature, armed with only basic weaponry and a motion tracker, there is an emphasis on stealth and cleverness over combat. The player is forced to navigate the gloomy environments all while trying to avoid attracting the Xenomorph’s attention. Using lighting, sound and punishing gameplay, Alien: Isolation provides an anxiety-inducing experience that perfectly captures the atmosphere and spirit of the first Alien film in an interactive gaming experience.

5. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Film Series: Star Wars
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia
Genre: Action/Adventure
Publisher: Electronic Arts (EA Games) 
Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Year Released: 2019

Set five years after the fall of the Jedi Order, Fallen Order follows former padawan Cal Kestis as he evades the Empire and seeks to restore the Jedi. His journey takes him across the galaxy, facing new threats and making new allies.

Why it's One of the Best: Fallen Order doesn't reinvent the wheel when it comes to action-adventure, but it is one of the better film-to-game adaptations out there. It brought back the lightsaber dueling we all craved, with skill-based combat, challenging missions, and fearless enemies. As you travel across galaxies far and wide, this game offers an immersive Star Wars experience that will have Jedi junkies reeling. The lightsaber battles alone are worth the price of admission. 

6. Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Movie Game 

Film Series: King Kong
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
Genre: Action/Adventure
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
Year Released: 2005

Set during the Great Depression, players control Jack Driscoll as he survives the perilous Skull Island. Alternatively, take on the role of King Kong himself, rampaging through the island in all his colossal glory.

Why it's One of the Best: King Kong’s dual perspectives—human and beast—offer a fresh gameplay experience. With interactive environments, immersive action sequences, and a first-person perspective free of on-screen clutter, the game was far ahead of its time. Playing the roles of both Jack and King Kong, players get two distinct views of Skull Island’s horrors—one through the eyes of an apex predator, the other through a human interloper. As Jack, every element of the environment feels like a threat, with survival hinging on problem-solving and conserving scarce ammunition. These missions echo the intensity of survival horror, where innovation is key to overcoming obstacles. On the flip side, the Kong missions transform the game into a third-person brawler, where Kong’s sheer power is on full display.

Players experience the thrill of controlling a juggernaut as he pummels V-Rexes, giant bat creatures, and more, truly living up to his “King” title. Though the film may not have garnered universal acclaim, the King Kong game stands as a masterpiece of first-person action-adventure and remains one of the best film-to-game adaptations ever made.

7. Starship Troopers: Terran Ascendancy

Film Series: Starship Troopers
Platforms: PC
Genre: Real Time Strategy Game (RTS) 
Publisher: Hasbro Interactive
Developer: Blue Tongue Entertainment
Year Released: 2000

Terran Ascendancy follows a Mobile Infantry platoon from the beginning to the end of the Arachnid War, as they fight across multiple planets to defeat the alien bug menace. Drawing inspiration from both the film and the original novel by Robert A. Heinlein, the game blends tactical squad-based combat with the grand scale of an RTS.

Why it's One of the Best: At a time when Age of Empires and StarCraft were the molds for strategy games, Starship Troopers: Terran Ascendancy tried a different approach to RTS, emphasizing squad-based combat and survival over sheer numbers. With detailed 3D environments and an AI that could easily outmaneuver unprepared players, the game captured the essence of Starship Troopers in a way that few other adaptations have. While it might feel dated now, it’s still a standout in the genre and one of the best film-based games of its time.

8. Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis

Film Series: Jurassic Park
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation 2
Genre: Construction, Theme Park Management Simulation
Publisher: Vivendi Universal Games and Konami
Developer: Blue Tongue Entertainment
Year Released: 2003

As the newly appointed manager of Jurassic Park, players must build a five-star dinosaur theme park on a remote island. With help from experts like geneticist Henry Wu and paleontologist Alan Grant, your goal is to create a safe and profitable attraction. Side missions range from herding herbivores to euthanizing rogue carnivores, adding layers of challenge to your management duties.

Why it's One of the Best: Who doesn’t want to create their own theme park full of dinosaurs? It takes the best elements of theme park simulation games and injects them with the excitement of the Jurassic Park universe. The game gives you total control—security, ticket prices, attractions, even which dinosaur DNA to dig up. The lack of a traditional storyline doesn’t detract from the experience; the detailed visuals and engaging gameplay make it one of the best film-based games ever created. Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis is the definitive Jurassic Park game, offering a blend of creativity and chaos that fans of the franchise love.

9. The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay

Film Series: The Chronicles of Riddick
Platforms: PC, Xbox,
Genre: Action/Adventure/Stealth
Publisher: Vivendi Universal Games
Developer: Starbreeze Studios and Tigon Studios 
Year Released: 2004

After being taken captive by mercenary William J. Johns, antihero and notorious criminal Richard B Riddick finds himself inside the maximum-security prison Butcher Bay. Rather than spend the rest of his life under the heel of the warden Hoxie and the head of security Abbott, Riddick starts plotting his elaborate escape. 

Why it's One of the Best: Escape from Butcher Bay is a masterclass in blending stealth, action, and adventure, taking the Chronicles of Riddick franchise to new heights. The game’s innovative mechanics make every punch feel visceral and every shadow a strategic advantage. Its dark, atmospheric graphics vividly bring Butcher Bay to life, immersing players in a gritty, dangerous world. The stellar voice acting and memorable characters enhance the experience—you can almost feel every bone-breaking blow as Riddick imposes his will on inmates, guards, and lurking creatures. Often regarded as superior to the film sequels, Escape from Butcher Bay is a shining example of how to adapt a film into an unforgettable gaming experience.

10. Scarface: The World Is Yours

Film Series: Scarface
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox360 (Cancelled), Wii 
Genre: Action/Adventure
Publisher: Vivendi Games
Developer: Radical Entertainment
Year Released: 2006

What if Tony Montana had survived the climactic shootout at the end of Scarface? That’s the premise of Scarface: The World Is Yours. Players take control of a vengeful Tony, determined to rebuild his drug empire and exact revenge on those who betrayed him. The game serves as a direct sequel to the 1983 film, offering an alternate storyline where Tony rises from the ashes to reclaim his throne.

Why it's One of the Best: Scarface: The World Is Yours is more than just a Grand Theft Auto clone—it’s a fitting tribute to one of cinema’s most iconic characters. The game captures the chaotic, high-octane atmosphere of Tony Montana’s world, allowing players to indulge in the excess and violence that defined the film. While the graphics may feel dated today, they were groundbreaking at the time, and the game’s dark humor and faithful portrayal of Tony Montana make it a worthy continuation of the Scarface saga. It’s not just one of the best film-based games; it’s a love letter to fans of the original movie, offering a unique blend of action, strategy, and pure, unfiltered chaos.