In recent years, the convergence of two beloved forms of entertainment has given rise to a phenomenon known as animated movies based on video games.
This innovative fusion has ushered in a new form of storytelling with immersive gaming universes brought to life on the big screen.
These animated adaptations have gained significant traction due to their appeal to video game enthusiasts and movie lovers.
The combination of video games and animation allows filmmakers to explore the landscapes for which specific video game franchises are legendary.
As the boundaries between gaming and cinema continue to blur, animated movies based on video games allow gamers to expand their fandom.
Here are 20 animated movies based on video games that will give you a fresh perspective on familiar narratives.
1. Super Mario Bros. (1993)
- Cast: Bob Hoskins, John Leguizamo, Dennis Hopper.
- IMDb Rating: 4.1/10
Get ready to warp into a world where plumbers are the ultimate heroes. Our lovable mustachioed duo, Mario and Luigi, embark on a pixelated adventure to rescue Princess Peach. When you spend every day fighting monsters, even the clutches of the nefarious Bowser become a walk in the park.
After seeing Mario and Luigi in action, you will question why anyone would choose plumbing over princess-saving. Probably because of its dash of mushrooms, a sprinkle of Koopas, and a side of Goomba-stomping action. It’s a high-jumping, fireball-flinging spectacle that will make you cringe in awe.
2. Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998)
- Cast: Veronica Taylor, Rachael Lillis, Eric Stuart.
- IMDb Rating: 6.0/10
Join Ash, Pikachu, and their poké-pals in what you’d agree is one of the fantastic animated movies based on video games. This electrifying animated adventure will zap you with all the excitement there is. Gotta watch ’em all!
When Mewtwo decides to unleash chaos on the world, it’s up to Ash and his team to catch ’em, battle ’em, and save the day. Their shenanigans are a guaranteed hit with more cute critters than you can shake a pokéball at. Channel your inner Pokémon trainer, and prepare for a wild chase.
3. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)
- Cast: Ming-Na Wen, Alec Baldwin, Ving Rhames.
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within is a fantastical journey into a world where polygons run wild. In this stunning animated masterpiece, humanity faces its greatest threat; some spooky, ethereal spirits. They ultimately threaten to bring Earth to its knees in plain sight
Enter Dr. Aki Ross, a brilliant scientist with wit and a team of eclectic heroes. Together, they’ll battle through breathtaking CG graphics to save humanity. Heads up for a dazzling effect from the movie will make you wonder if it’s real life or just some digital fantasy.
4. Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008)
- Cast: Paul Mercier, Alyson Court, Laura Bailey.
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Resident Evil: Degeneration brings a zombified adventure that’ll tingle your brains. It is one of the animated movies based on video games of your favorite undead-fighting heroes. Here, they battle hordes of brain-munching monsters with a lot of action.
Now you can transfer your attention from your controller to your TV screen, expecting more brain-splattering fun. Who needs a cure for a zombie bite when you can have this bloody good time?
5. Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie (1994)
- Cast: Kôjiro Shimizu, Kenji Haga, Miki Fujitani.
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
This is the ultimate showdown as your favorite street fighters step out of the arcade and onto the big screen. You’ll find that the experience is filled with so many fists flying in the air and kicks that pack many punches.
Ryu, Chun-Li, and the rest of the fighters take the battle to a new level in epic martial arts tournaments. Strap up for explosive action and enough knockout hits to keep you going.
6. Mortal Kombat: The Movie (1995)
- Cast: Christopher Lambert, Robin Shou, Linden Ashby.
- IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
Enter the world of Mortal Kombat, where the universe’s fate hangs on who throws the best punch. Because this is one of the animated movies based on video games, fighters from different realms must battle it out in a tournament to end all matches.
The fight scenes have so many flips and kicks that you will wonder who’ll be left standing. Well, there’s only one way to find out! Grab some snacks, and get ready to test your might.
7. Tomb Raider (2001)
- Cast: Angelina Jolie, Jon Voight, Iain Glen.
- IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
Hold onto your fedora because everyone’s favorite adventurer is back and ready to raid more tombs! Lara Croft leads in this action-packed animated spectacle as she travels the globe. Her mission is to search for ancient artifacts and battle baddies with perfectly aimed shots.
Tomb Raider has its fair share of twists and turns, just like a Rubik’s Cube would. In case you are up for a tomb-raiding getaway, be sure to grab your whip and polish your pistols.
8. Silent Hill (2006)
- Cast: Radha Mitchell, Laurie Holden, Sean Bean.
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Silent Hill is a spine-chilling animated adaptation of the hit video game series. You can roam the foggy town of Silent Hill, but be warned, the line between reality and horror is fragile, and your nightmares come to life.
This is one of those animated movies based on video games with more jump scares than a kangaroo. Dim the lights, turn up the volume, and check under your bed for a good scream if you can find your voice!
9. Warcraft (2016)
- Cast: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster.
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Warcraft is an epic clash of swords, spells, and a larger-than-life animated adaptation of your beloved video game franchise. Take a trip to the mythical world of Azeroth, where humans, orcs, and other fantastical creatures battle it out for supremacy.
The film, just like the game, contains enough mythical creatures to fill Noah’s ark. Thanks to the magic of CGI, this movie will take you to a realm of adventure and wonder. So, sharpen your blade, and get ready to level up your movie-watching experience.
10. Ratchet & Clank (2016)
- Cast: James Arnold Taylor, David Kaye, Jim Ward.
- IMDb Rating: 5.6/10
Lombax Ratchet and his robot sidekick, Clank, blast through a universe of mind-boggling gadgets and super quirky characters. The likes of Captain Qwark, the self-proclaimed hero with an ego more extensive than the universe itself.
His over-the-top antics and ridiculous poses may make this film one of your favorite animated movies based on video games in no time. It’s a game-turned-movie experience that’s truly out of this world!
11. Assassin’s Creed: Lineage (2009)
- Cast: Romano Orzari, Manuel Tadros, Jesse Rath.
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Ezio Auditore da Firenze is the master of stealth and display of parkour you’ve never seen before. He courses through the streets of Renaissance Italy in a quest for vengeance. He makes this gem among the animated movies based on video games to have enough rooftop acrobatics to make Spider-Man quit.
All through the progression of the plot, you’ll be looking out for the next victim of Ezio’s deadly precision. Say hello to the world of assassins and intrigue from a Renaissance perspective.
12. Tekken: Blood Vengeance (2011)
- Cast: Carrie Keranen, Cristina Valenzuela, David Vincent.
- IMDb Rating: 5.9/10
Are you ready to rumble and stumble with Tekken: Blood Vengeance? You don’t have to be a gamer to appreciate this animated flick’s punches through your screen. It is a knockout adventure infused with
jaw-dropping fights, explosive combos, and plenty of K.O.
Follow the story of feisty fighters as they battle for honor, glory, and a worthy movie adaptation. Unleash your inner gamer and embrace the turbo-charged action that is limited in supply.
13. Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
- Cast: Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Jim Carrey.
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Zoom, dash, and spin your way into Sonic the Hedgehog, the speediest fur ball in animated movies based on video games. Sonic, the blue blur himself, races against time and a villain with mustache envy.
The film is packed with electrifying energy and a dose of ’90s nostalgia. It brings Sonic’s pixelated world to vivid life for your viewing pleasure. Grab your rings, rev up those sneakers, and join Sonic on an epic rush.
14. Angry Birds (2016)
- Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride.
- IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Angry Birds is a feathered frenzy that catapults you into a world of hilarious mayhem on an avian adventure. Those grumpy, flightless birds are back and more furious than ever. But now, they have to wage war against their piggy adversaries and prove to them who’s boss.
Will the birds reclaim their eggs? Will the pigs get their comeuppance? Find out in a film that proves revenge is best served with a side of laughter!
15. Dragon Quest: Your Story (2019)
- Cast: Takeru Satoh, Kasumi Arimura, Haru.
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Venture into a highly animated realm with Dragon Quest: Your Story. In the film, a fearless hero must save his kingdom from darkness with only a sword and a charming smile.
The story is quite breathtaking, just as most animated movies based on video games turn out to be. You’ll find it exciting and twisty, like a dragon’s tail. It is a must-see for gamers and fantasy enthusiasts who care enough to crave a sequel.
16. Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016)
- Cast: Aaron Paul, Lena Headey, Sean Bean.
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Don’t be surprised when you can’t get enough because Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV will cast a spell on your senses. Here in Kingsglaive, swords are sharp, and magic is as dazzling as a disco ball.
Go on an adventure with a band of heroic warriors as they battle evil, unravel mysteries, and try not to get tangled in their luscious locks. You’ll find an array of stunning visuals, a symphony of laughter, and more epic battles than a game of rock-paper-scissors.
17. Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017)
- Cast: Kevin Dorman, Matthew Mercer, Erin Cahill.
- IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Lock and load for Resident Evil: Vendetta unless you are scared of a thrilling ride packed with more zombies than a graveyard at midnight. Nonetheless, sit back as your favorite zombie-slaying heroes return in a high-octane battle against the undead.
As one of the animated movies based on video games, this film promises a truckload of heart-pounding and spine-tingling suspense. There’s only one way to prepare for a zombie apocalypse, and that’s when you watch Resident Evil: Vendetta.
18. Halo Legends (2010)
- Cast: David Wald, Andrew Love, Luci Christian.
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Halo Legends is your window into a sci-fi universe filled with space marines and extraterrestrial excitement. Its realistic space battles scenes and action sequences move on a warp speed through the Halo franchise.
You are not a true gamer or sci-fi fan until you add Halo Legends to your binge-watching list. Please take my word for it, go suit up already!
19. The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)
- Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Leslie Jones.
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Prepare for yet another feathery face-off in The Angry Birds Movie 2. This particular addition of animated movies based on video games brought an addictive slingshot game to our smartphones. Well, those furious fowls are back, and this time they came with their sworn piggy enemies to save their island from a new threat.
This second installment has excellent humor, explosive pranks, and more bird-brained schemes than before. Ready your couch for a hilarious showdown that will leave you flocking about with Laughter.
20. Rampage (2018)
- Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Malin Akerman.
- IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
This animated monster mash brings a classic video game to life in a skyscraper-sized spectacle. When genetic experiments go haywire, it’s up to Davis Okoye and his animal companions to save the day.
Rampage delivers a monstrous dose of thrills and funny moments. It has colossal creatures, city-smashing chaos, and more destruction than a bull in a china shop. Remember to stay safe as you witness a battle of epic proportions like no other!
