In the last few years, movies and TV shows based on video games have become a major part of the entertainment world. This trend, once looked down upon, is now proving to be very successful, both creatively and financially. Several recent releases have shown that when video game adaptations are done with care and quality, they can attract millions of viewers and earn hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office. Three great examples of this are A Minecraft Movie, The Last of Us TV series, and the film Gran Turismo.
One of the most impressive examples is A Minecraft Movie. Based on the world’s best-selling video game, the film had a massive debut, earning over $301 million worldwide during its opening weekend. This is a huge achievement, especially for a movie based on a game that doesn’t have a traditional storyline. Minecraft is known for letting players build anything in an open, blocky world. The filmmakers managed to turn this creative concept into a fun and exciting story that both kids and adults could enjoy. The strong box office numbers show just how popular the Minecraft brand still is, and how much interest there is in seeing these kinds of games brought to life on the big screen.
Another major success story is The Last of Us, a television series based on the hit PlayStation video game of the same name. The show premiered on HBO in January 2023 and quickly became a huge hit. Within just two months, it was reported that the show had been viewed by over 30 million people across HBO and its streaming platform, Max (formerly HBO Max). The series was praised for its emotional depth, strong performances, and its ability to stay true to the original game’s story. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, who played the main characters Joel and Ellie, received widespread praise for their roles. The success of The Last of Us also led to HBO quickly renewing the show for a second season, showing confidence in its popularity and impact.
Then there is Gran Turismo, a movie based on the popular racing video game series. Instead of trying to copy the game directly, the movie tells the true story of Jann Mardenborough, a teenager who played Gran Turismo so well that he was selected through a competition to become a real-life race car driver. The film was released in 2023 and went on to make around $122 million worldwide, which is quite strong for a racing movie. Audiences enjoyed the fast-paced action and the fact that it was based on a real success story, showing how passion and gaming skill can lead to real-world achievements.
What makes all three of these projects special is that they treated their source material with respect. Rather than simply using the name of the game to make money, the creators of these films and shows focused on storytelling, character development, and high-quality production. In return, they were rewarded not just with strong earnings, but also with critical acclaim and fan appreciation.
This new wave of successful video game adaptations is a big change from the past, when many of these kinds of projects failed to connect with audiences. With better writing, casting, and direction, video games are now becoming one of the most exciting sources of stories in the entertainment world. Whether it’s the creativity of Minecraft, the emotional depth of The Last of Us, or the inspiring real-life journey behind Gran Turismo, these stories show that video games have a lot to offer when turned into films or series.
As more game studios and filmmakers team up, we can expect even more of these adaptations to hit theaters and streaming platforms in the coming years. If they follow the example of these recent hits, there’s a good chance they’ll be just as successful—both in terms of storytelling and earnings.
