In terms of earnings, video games are the most significant source of entertainment worldwide, with millions and millions of fans. Which is a solid reason for Hollywood to think that if they make them into films, they will attract the same kind of audience and even though in the beginning it seemed like that they will never be able to make a good film based on video games but now it seems like they are getting the hang of things. We have compiled a list containing the names of the highest-grossing films based on video games, but just because they are in this and have earned a lot of money, doesn’t mean that all of them are good.
10. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time ($336.4 Million)
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a fantasy action-adventure film directed by Mike Newell from a screenplay co-written by Boaz Yakin, Doug Miro, and Carlo Bernard. Based on the Prince of Persia video game series developed by Ubisoft, the 2010 film follows Prince Dastan of Persia, who discovers a magical dagger that can reverse time. When the Prince becomes a fugitive, he must work with Princess Tamina of Alamut to stop a villain whose actions might bring about the end of the world. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley, Toby Kebbell, Alfred Molina, Richard Coyle, Ronald Pickup, Reece Ritchie, Steve Toussaint, and Darwin Shaw.
9. The Angry Birds Movie ($352.3 Million)
The Angry Birds Movie is an animated comedy film co-directed by Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly. Based on the video game franchise of the same name developed by Rovio Entertainment, the 2016 film is set on an island inhabited by anthropomorphic flightless birds, and it follows Red, an outcast who thinks that the newly arrived crew of pigs has a sinister plan, but nobody believes him. The Angry Birds Movie’s voice cast includes Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Kate McKinnon, Sean Penn, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Bill Hader, and Peter Dinklage.
8. Sonic: The Hedgehog 2 ($405.4 million)
Sonic: The Hedgehog 2 is an action-adventure comedy film directed by Jeff Fowler from a screenplay co-written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington. Based on the Sonic video game series developed by Sega, the 2022 sequel film follows Sonic as he teams up with Tails to once again fight Dr. Robotnik, who has returned to Earth with a powerful accomplice named Knuckles. Sonic: The Hedgehog 2 stars James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, and Jim Carrey.
7. Uncharted ($407.1 Million)
Uncharted is an action-adventure film directed by Ruben Fleischer from a screenplay co-written by Rafe Lee Judkins, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway. Based on the popular video game franchise of the same name developed by Naughty Dog, the 2022 film follows Nathan Drake, who Sully recruits to find the fabled treasure of the Magellan expedition while being chased by deadly mercenaries. Uncharted stars Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Sophia Ali, Tati Gabrielle, and Antonio Banderas.
6. Rampage ($428 Million)
Rampage is a sci-fi monster action film directed by Brad Peyton from a screenplay co-written by Ryan Engle, Carlton Cuse, Ryan J. Condal, and Adam Sztykiel. Based on the video game series of the same name developed by Midway Games, the 2018 film follows Davis Okoye, a former US Army Special Forces soldier and primatologist who befriends an albino gorilla named George. When George and a few other animals are exposed to an experimental pathogen, they become giant animals, and now Davis must team up with a genetic engineer to stop them from rampaging. Rampage stars Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Malin Akerman, Jake Lacy, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
5. Warcraft ($439.1 Million)
Warcraft is an action fantasy film directed by Duncan Jones, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Charles Leavitt. Based on the video game series of the same name developed by Blizzard Entertainment, the 2016 film revolves around a group of surviving humans as they join forces with a few dissenting Orcs to stop a massive war between Anduin Lothar of Stormwind and Durotan of the Frostwolf. Warcraft stars Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper, Toby Kebbell, Ben Schnetzer, Robert Kazinsky, and Daniel Wu. Before I move on to the next, I just want to say that if you love the games, don’t watch this movie.
4. Detective Pikachu ($433 Million)
Detective Pikachu is a fantasy action film directed by Rob Letterman, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, and Derek Connolly. Based on the 2018 video game of the same name developed by Nintendo, the 2019 film follows Tim Goodman, a former aspiring Pokémon trainer now working as an insurance agent. When he learns that his detective father has died, he goes to his house and discovers his father’s Pikachu, with whom he can somehow talk. Together, they try to figure out the mystery behind his father’s supposed death. Detective Pikachu stars Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton, Suki Waterhouse, Omar Chaparro, Chris Geere, Ken Watanabe, and Bill Nighy.
3. Sonic: The Hedgehog 3 ($492.2 Million)
Sonic: The Hedgehog 3 is an action-adventure comedy film directed by Jeff Fowler from a screenplay co-written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington. Based on the Sonic video games developed by Sega, the 2024 threequel film follows Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles as they face off against an unimaginably strong foe, Shadow the Hedgehog. Sonic: The Hedgehog stars Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Krysten Ritter, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, and Keanu Reeves.
2. A Minecraft Movie ($931.4 Million*)
A Minecraft Movie is a fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Jared Hess from a screenplay co-written by Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Gavin James, and Chris Galletta. Based on the wildly popular video game of the same name developed by Mojang Studios, the 2025 film revolves around a group of misfits as they are transported into the cubic world of Minecraft. They must work together and go on a perilous adventure to get back to their real world. A Minecraft Movie stars Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Hansen, and Jennifer Coolidge.
1. The Super Mario Bros. Movie ($1.36 Billion)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is an animated adventure comedy film co-directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic from a screenplay by Matthew Fogel. Based on the classic and extremely popular video game franchise Mario, developed by Nintendo, the 2023 film follows brothers Mario and Luigi as they are transported into another world and get separated. Now, Mario must find his brother with the help of Princess Peach. The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s voice cast includes Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, and Fred Armisen.