Top 10 Movies About Video Games and Gaming

The film and video game industries have a strong and growing connection. Over the years, Hollywood has made many movies based on popular video games, bringing characters and stories from the gaming world to the big screen.

We’ve already talked about the best and worst video game adaptations and shared lists of upcoming movie adaptations in past articles.

But there’s another side to this connection — movies that focus on gaming itself. These films show what it’s like to be a gamer, dive into the culture around video games, and explore how games can shape people’s lives.

Watching these movies can feel like exploring a new game at Hidden Jack Casino, where you can dive into different slot games and table games. Just as players get hooked on discovering new features in a casino, moviegoers can get lost in stories about the gaming world.

For anyone who loves video games or just enjoys a good story, these movies offer a look into the life of gamers and the impact of gaming on our culture. Whether you’re a casual player or a gaming fan, there’s something for everyone. Feel free to share your favorite gaming-themed movies or experiences with games in the comments below.

Tron

• Movies and Release Dates: Tron (1982), Tron: Legacy (2010)
• IMDb Ratings: Tron — 6.7; Tron: Legacy — 6.8

This story about gamer and programmer Kevin Flynn who gets sucked into a cyberspace world introduced groundbreaking visual effects in the early 80s. Directed by Steven Lisberger, a big fan of video games, Tron had a significant impact on the evolution of computer animation. Although the movie was initially difficult for the average viewer to grasp, it eventually gained cult status.

The sequel took almost three decades to materialize. However, it showcased technological advancements from the late 2000s, featured in 3D, and included an outstanding soundtrack by Daft Punk.

Like its predecessor, Tron: Legacy was praised for its visual appeal but criticized for its weak storyline. Disney is reportedly developing a new installment titled Tron: Ares, with Jared Leto in the lead role. Filming was delayed due to Hollywood strikes.

Jumanji

• Movies and Release Dates: Jumanji (1995), Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
• IMDb Ratings: Jumanji — 7.1; Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle — 6.9; Jumanji: The Next Level — 6.7

The story of young Alan Parrish getting trapped inside the game Jumanji became an iconic family adventure comedy featuring Robin Williams. While the original focused on a board game, the modern sequels transitioned the game to a console format.

The 2017 sequel, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, follows a group of teens who enter the game world, with their avatars displaying diverse abilities. The movie grossed nearly a billion dollars, paving the way for another installment, Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), which was also successful.

Overall, the Jumanji series delivers exciting adventure blockbusters with a talented cast, good humor, and spectacular special effects. Players face intense challenges, but the game’s multiple lives give them chances to succeed, even when faced with dangers like a giant, hungry hippo.

eXistenZ

• Release Date: 1999
• IMDb Rating: 6.8

eXistenZ, directed by David Cronenberg, takes a darker tone compared to the light-hearted adventure spirit of previous entries. The story focuses on a new game of the same name, where the creator Allegra Geller and her bodyguard, Ted Pikul, become immersed in a strange journey with an unpredictable ending.

The movie blurs the line between reality and the game, leaving both viewers and characters uncertain about what’s real and what’s virtual.

Its unusual narrative, along with bizarre biotechnologies, adds a layer of mystery that makes it even more intriguing. Cronenberg explores the theme of substituting reality with a virtual world, all while maintaining his signature directorial style.

Avalon

• Release Date: 2001
• IMDb Rating: 6.4

Set in a near future where people escape the dullness of everyday life by playing a military role-playing game called Avalon, this Polish-Japanese sci-fi techno-thriller follows a skilled gamer named Ash. She plays solo missions with precision, but encounters players who can lead her to a whole new level of the game.

While not entirely unique in its concept, Avalon offers a fascinating atmosphere and distinct authenticity. The film’s co-production aspect adds a unique flavor to the final product, making it a standout with its gritty, gray-tone aesthetic and captivating story elements.

Gamer

• Release Date: 2009
• IMDb Rating: 5.7

In the year 2034, a brilliant programmer, Ken Castle, invents a revolutionary nanotechnology, giving rise to the ultra-popular shooter game Slayers. Here, players control real people—death row inmates. One of them, John “Kable” Tillman, has survived 27 battles and is on the brink of winning his freedom after the 30th match.

Directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, known for the wild Crank films, Gamer blends chaotic action with a critique of a society obsessed with extreme entertainment. The film features intense action sequences set to the hard-hitting tunes of Marilyn Manson.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

• Release Date: 2010
• IMDb Rating: 7.5

Scott Pilgrim, a 22-year-old slacker from Toronto, plays bass in the garage band Sex Bob-Omb. He starts dating high schooler Knives Chau but soon meets Ramona Flowers, the girl of his dreams. However, to be with her, Scott must defeat her seven evil exes.

Although not directly about gaming, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World has a strong video game and comic book aesthetic, drawing its style from the original graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley.

Despite its initial box office flop, this quirky film has since gained a cult following. An anime series adaptation, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, premieres on Netflix on November 17, with the original movie cast returning for voice roles.

Ender’s Game

• Release Date: 2013
• IMDb Rating: 6.6

Based on Orson Scott Card’s novel, Ender’s Game explores how a strategic computer game could potentially save the world. In a future where humanity is at war with an insect-like alien race, young Ender Wiggin, played by Asa Butterfield, is recruited to lead Earth’s defense.

The movie’s success relies on strong performances by Harrison Ford and the young Butterfield. While the film skews toward a teenage audience, its complex narrative involving video game simulations makes it an intriguing watch.

Pixels

• Release Date: 2015
• IMDb Rating: 5.6

In Pixels, a time capsule launched by NASA in 1982 containing video game footage is intercepted by aliens. Decades later, Earth is attacked by these iconic game characters. It’s up to retro gaming experts to save the planet.

Directed by Chris Columbus, this comedy might not be the finest in Adam Sandler’s career, but it pays homage to classic arcade games like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Donkey Kong. While the humor is hit-or-miss, the film’s visuals and nostalgic setting are its standout features.

Ready Player One

• Release Date: 2018
• IMDb Rating: 7.4

Set in 2045, Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg, portrays a world where people escape their harsh reality by entering a virtual reality universe called the Oasis. The movie follows Wade Watts, who competes in a contest to inherit control of the Oasis.

With stunning visual effects and a plethora of pop culture references, Ready Player One is a must-watch for video game fans and movie lovers alike. It showcases a future where video games serve as a major cultural escape, blending adventure with a compelling story.