Post Games How video game movies got good
Aug 25, 2025
In this engaging discussion, filmmaker and video essayist Patrick H. Willems delves into the evolution of video game movie adaptations. He highlights the dramatic shift from early failures, like Super Mario Bros., to current successes such as Sonic the Hedgehog. Patrick explores the balancing act filmmakers face between fan expectations and broader audience appeal. Speculating on the future, he reveals an astonishing 46 video game adaptations in development, hinting at an exciting new era for this genre.
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Why Early Game Movies Were Loose Adaptations
- Early 1990s game movies treated games as loose source material and added heavy original story to fill gaps.
- Filmmakers then rarely prioritized fan fidelity because games offered minimal narrative detail.
Batman Changed Hollywood's IP Playbook
- Tim Burton's 1989 Batman reframed studio thinking: childhood IPs can be adult blockbuster events.
- Studios began treating games like properties to pump big budgets into for mass audiences.
Mortal Kombat: A Fan-Minded Adaptation
- Patrick cites Mortal Kombat (1995) as a faithful, fan-made-feel adaptation that got character iconography right.
- He contrasts it with Super Mario Bros., which barely resembled its source beyond superficial traits.