by Kevin Samson
Why are there still movies being made from games? Well, they have an established fan base, which all studios love, pre-made stories, characters, visuals, and narrative. But what most studios forget is that they also have expectations. We’ve seen plenty of attempts so far, some for better, most for worse. What awaits us in the near future? Fans will tell.
What Gaming Genres Get to the Big Screen?
Rich characters, complex worldbuilding, and gritty action with drama, sprinkled with a dash of dark comedy, is a recipe most shows would pay big money for. But there is no need to start from scratch, as Fallout has made its way from a tabletop RPG to a computer one, and now it’s on our big screens with its latest series. With already established fan bases, characters, scenes, and a set of rules written, the material was all there, waiting for the right time, and with the abundance of material available, there’s surely plenty to come.
Casino themes are also becoming more popular, both as a gaming genre within iGaming and as a motif for movies and TV shows. From Casino Royale to Ocean 11 and its sequels, this branch of gaming is only to show its potential in the future. While we’re still waiting for the ultimate 21st-century iGaming movie, online gaming platforms are constantly bringing new games to our desktops. These websites often aim at an international audience, so it doesn’t matter if you’re from Australia, New Zealand, the US, or any other country whatsoever; roulette, slots, or online pokies for real money are equally accessible from all these locations.. While there isn’t a direct movie made yet, any serious screen adaptation would need to balance realism with fiction. But the appetite is there—for something raw, maybe gritty, that doesn’t glamourise the win, but explores the space between chance and obsession.
On the other side of the gaming spectrum, Halo brought fast-paced FPS action with a high-tech future and a merciless war from the multiplayer lobbies to a series, although short-lived. In a sea of dramas, slow burns, and dark grit, Halo was a breath of fast-paced war and action, brimming from its cultural landmark position in the Xbox lineup and an abundance of story material.
Master Chief is a gaming icon and has instant recognisability, which translates to the series bearing the popular gaming franchise name. With Henry Cavill leading the next Warhammer 40k series, which has plenty of RTS, RPG, and FPS titles, many are asking whether they will follow in their footsteps or dare to do something new? Time will tell.
But some movies have already become almost as popular as the games they originated from.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: Big Leap, Strange Orbit
Nintendo took a swing and made a home run. Mario’s movie made millions, and it was a sensation. We were humming Jack Black’s Peach song for months, and Nintendo showed other studios how to make game movies. And what’s next after their star debut? The entire galaxy, apparently, with the sequel being made about the Super Mario Galaxy game.
That’s a bold choice. The original Galaxy game had a distinct tone—floaty physics, gentle music, and a kind of cosmic serenity. Very different from the chaos of Mario Kart or the punchlines of Bowser’s villainy. It raises the question: how much of that energy can survive the adaptation process?
The cast is back, yes, and the visuals will probably dazzle. But story-wise, they’ll need to find new stakes. Outer space gives room for imagination, but it also demands clarity. If the plot drifts too far from grounded character beats, they risk alienating even the loyal fanbase. Still, there’s something appealing about the idea of Mario floating from planet to planet, looking for stars and meaning. It’s weird, but maybe weird is good. Weird like Jack Black’s new Minecraft song could be what they need.
Life is Strange: It Doesn’t Look Like a Game, and That’s the Point
Of all the games on this list, Life is Strange feels like it was already halfway to being a TV show. Episodic structure, emotional arcs, slow-burn tension—it fits the format. So the Prime Video adaptation isn’t a stretch, though it’s a risk in other ways.
Most game adaptations lean on plot or action. Life is Strange leans on feeling. You don’t just play it; you sit in it. The choices you make in-game alter not just what happens, but how you experience it. So the challenge in adapting it is losing the interactivity without losing the soul.
Devil May Cry: The Flashiest Thing You’ll See This Year
Netflix’s Devil May Cry adaptation isn’t subtle, and it’s not trying to be. It’s style first, logic later. Which, to be honest, is exactly what the source material calls for. Dante’s world is made of demons, trench coats, impossible guns, and swagger. You don’t ground that in reality—you amplify it.
The show’s animation is slick, kinetic, and violent in a way that feels oddly beautiful. Some critics say it’s shallow. Fair. It doesn’t go deep, but it doesn’t need to. It’s about momentum. About aesthetics. When Dante slashes through an entire cathedral of demons, you don’t ask for nuance.
Still, there’s room for growth. The season 2 trailer showed that shocks are still possible. They might lean a little more into backstory, or at least emotional stakes. Or maybe not. Maybe it just doubles down on the chaos. Sometimes spectacle is enough.
Zelda: Tread Carefully, Swing Lightly
The Legend of Zelda games are getting a live-action movie. And the fans are silent. Holding their breath, being cautiously optimistic. Because if they fail this, the outcry will be legendary. There is incredible potential for an Oscar-worthy movie here. Or for a catastrophe that will dwarf all others.
The thing about Zelda is that it doesn’t follow typical fantasy rules. There’s lore, sure, but it isn’t spelled out in dialogue-heavy scenes. Most of the emotion comes from silence. From music. From the long walks between towns. That doesn’t scream “cinematic,” but that’s also what makes it special.
We don’t know much yet. Wes Ball is directing. No cast announcements. No trailer. Just a foggy outline of what might be. Still, expectations are sky-high. One wrong step and you alienate the purists. But play it too safe, and it becomes hollow. The path forward probably means ignoring the timeline debates and just telling a clean story. Hero. Princess. Curse. That might be enough—if it remembers to breathe.
Main photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash
