Are video game movies and TV shows the next big thing after superheroes?
For over a decade, superheroes ran the pop culture game like they had cheat codes – spandex, origin stories, cinematic universes, the whole multiverse mess. But lately, a new challenger has entered the arena: video games. Not just to be played, but to be watched. And surprisingly? They’re actually good now.
The cultural shift is hard to miss. Video games aren’t just massive entertainment platforms anymore. With millions of players invested in sprawling worlds and layered narratives, it’s no surprise that studios want in.
Press start to adapt
Let’s start with The Last of Us. HBO took one of gaming’s most emotional stories and somehow made it even more devastating. Joel and Ellie weren’t just digital icons anymore – they became watercooler conversation. Critics loved it. Non-gamers cried. It proved that video game stories aren’t just “good for a game” – they’re just good, period.
Then there’s the Super Mario Bros. Movie, which managed to erase the trauma of its ’90s predecessor by doing something revolutionary: leaning into the game’s charm. It didn’t reinvent storytelling – it didn’t have to. It was colorful, fun, and packed with nostalgia. And it made over a billion dollars, so yeah, people noticed.
Pixels on the big screen
The Sonic the Hedgehog movies deserve a mention too, not just for somehow making a live-action Sonic work, but for setting a surprisingly solid tone. What should’ve been a disaster turned into a franchise with its own fanbase. Plus, any movie that gets Jim Carrey to go full mustache-twirling villain deserves a medal.
On the small screen, Arcane proved that animated series based on games don’t have to feel like Saturday morning filler. With jaw-dropping visuals, deep characters, and actual emotional weight, it went from “surprisingly good” to “Netflix Emmy-bait” in record time. It didn’t just appeal to League of Legends fans – it converted new ones.
And let’s not forget the recent Fallout series. Instead of just copying the game’s aesthetic, it captured the tone: absurd, dark, and weirdly hopeful under all that radiation. It wasn’t just another post-apocalyptic show – it was a Fallout story, through and through.
And if watching it inspires a return to the Wasteland, Steam keys on Eneba for revisiting the games that started it all.
Why now?
So why is this happening now? Simple: the audience grew up. Gamers aren’t just teens in basements anymore (well, some still are). They’re adults, professionals, creators. And they want to see the stories they love done right. Studios finally noticed – and realised that video games have been quietly building cinematic universes this whole time. No reboot required.
It also doesn’t hurt that modern games already feel like movies. Expansive worlds, rich lore, motion-captured performances – it’s all halfway to Hollywood anyway. Turning them into films and shows just makes sense. Plus, let’s be real, superhero fatigue is real. After the 37th multiverse collapse, a good old-fashioned wasteland or mushroom kingdom begins to feel refreshing.
It’s a wrap!
So, are video game movies and TV shows the next big thing after superheroes? At this point, they already are. The stories are there. The fanbases are beyond ready. As long as studios continue to treat the source material with care, avoiding the casting of random celebrities merely for clicks, this trend has the potential to endure.
Furthermore, for those interested in revisiting favorite game worlds firsthand, digital marketplaces such as Eneba offer excellent deals on Steam keys, game content, and all things related to gaming and digital. Often, the finest screen adaptation involves engaging directly with the game, creating a unique story through personal interaction.
The editorial unit
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