Video Game Movies That Could Actually Work

Movies adapted from video games have been on the rise. Chances are you haven’t driven by a theater without seeing something like Angry Birds or Assassin’s Creed displayed right out in front. Their reception, however, remains lukewarm at best. That doesn’t seem to be stopping the trend, however. At least four other games-into-movies are on the way.

A new Tomb Raider is set to arrive on the big screen in March of 2018. Directed by Road Uthaug and starring Alicia Vikander, young Lara Croft sets out on her first expedition with the goal of finishing her father’s research. The theme is similar to 2015’s Rise of the Tomb Raider.

The Five Nights at Freddy’s movie, originally announced all the way back in 2015, hasn’t gotten any status updates. The most recent information came from people involved with the movie late that year promising it was still being worked on. Gil Kenan from Poltergeist is directing this one, but again, no further details are known.

Now what would Chell say in a movie? She’d have to talk, after all.

2015 might seem like a long time ago, but how about a movie announcement from 2013? Better yet, how about two movies? Portal and Half-Life were said to be getting the silver screen treatment back then, but so far it hasn’t happened. The good news is that those movie adaptations haven’t died off completely. Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, said in a Reddit AMA recently, “Yep. They’re coming.” Uh, well, thanks, Gabe. Good to know that Portal is still alive (see what I did there?). We also know that the films are in the care of J.J. Abrams of The Force Awakens.

Studios take a big risk every time they decide to produce video game movies, but it at least seems that such things are picking up steam anymore. As writers and directors learn from experience, we can hope to see the quality and reception of game adaptations start to climb the ratings. And you can bet The Nerd Stash will be right there to tell you the best ones to see.