The 10 Most Profitable Video Game Movies Ranked
Video game movie adaptations have come a long way from their shaky start in the ‘90s. Back then, they were mostly flops that left us scratching our heads, but today, they’re raking in cash and winning over crowds. With hits like ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ smashing box office records, it’s clear Hollywood’s finally cracked the code on turning joystick classics into silver-screen gold.
Whether you’re into nostalgia-driven animated flicks or action-packed live-action adventures, these films prove the best video game movie adaptations can deliver both fun and serious profits.
With ‘A Minecraft Movie’ currently in cinemas, we’ll probably need to update this list soon—if it keeps performing like it did during its first and second weekend, it could become the highest-grossing video game movie ever!
So, what makes these movies click? It’s a mix of loyal fans, big-name stars, and stories that don’t just lean on the games but stand on their own. I’ve dug into the latest data to rank the top 10 most profitable game-inspired movies. Let’s count them down from 10 to 1 and see which ones turned pixels into paydays.
10. ‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’ (2010)
Milla Jovovich’s Alice was back in this fourth ‘Resident Evil’ chapter, blasting zombies in slick 3D. Paul W.S. Anderson returned to direct, piling on the gunfights and undead chaos as Alice hunts for survivors in a virus-ravaged world. It’s pure popcorn horror—loud, messy, and a total fan pleaser.
The box office loved it too. It scored $60.1 million in the U.S., but globally, it soared to $300.2 million on a tidy $60 million budget. That’s a fat profit for a franchise that keeps churning out sequels like zombies on a conveyor belt.
9. ‘The Angry Birds Movie’ (2016)
Who knew a mobile game about flinging birds at pigs could hatch a hit? This animated romp brought Red, Chuck, and Bomb to life with Jason Sudeikis and Josh Gad leading the voice cast. It’s silly, colorful, and packed with slapstick—perfect for kids and anyone who’s ever rage-tapped their phone.
Money-wise, it flew high. It nabbed $107.5 million domestically and a whopping $352.3 million worldwide, all on a $73 million budget. Finland’s biggest film ever? You bet—those birds turned a simple app into a global cash cow.
8. ‘Uncharted’ (2022)
Tom Holland traded his Spider-Man suit for treasure-hunter gear as Nathan Drake, teamed up with Mark Wahlberg in this PlayStation-inspired adventure. It’s got stunts, puzzles, and pirate vibes—a modern ‘Indiana Jones’ with a smirk. Fans griped about casting, but the action in ‘Uncharted’ kept seats filled.
The haul was impressive. It made $148.6 million in the States and $407.1 million worldwide, doubling its $120 million budget. Sony cheered as it crossed $400 million in its 15th weekend, locking in a solid spot among game movie champs.
7. ‘Rampage’ (2018)
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson starred as a primatologist buddying up with a giant gorilla to smash other monster-sized threats. Based on the old-school arcade game, it’s big, dumb fun with skyscraper-crashing chaos. Critics shrugged, but The Rock’s star power carried it.
Box office numbers roared. It grabbed $101 million domestically and $428 million worldwide on a $120 million budget. Not a bad payday for a flick where a gorilla punches a wolf—talk about muscle meeting mayhem.
6. ‘Warcraft’ (2016)
Blizzard’s epic fantasy leaped from PC screens to theaters with Duncan Jones directing. Think orcs, humans, and jaw-dropping CGI battling over Azeroth. It tanked in the U.S., but China went nuts for it, saving the day. Fans still dream of that trilogy that’ll probably never happen.
The earnings were wild. It limped to $47.4 million domestically but exploded to $439 million worldwide against a $160 million budget. It reigned as the top game movie for seven years until Mario stomped in—proof global appeal can outweigh a stateside flop.
5. ‘Pokémon: Detective Pikachu’ (2019)
Ryan Reynolds voiced a sassy Pikachu in this live-action Pokémon spin-off, teaming with Justice Smith to crack a mystery. It’s cute, quirky, and stuffed with critters fans adore. Critics liked it, and it kicked off the game-movie renaissance with style.
Cash rolled in fast. It hit $144.1 million in the U.S. and $450.1 million worldwide on a $150 million budget. Biggest opening weekend for a game flick at the time? Yep—Pikachu shocked the charts with electric profits.
4. ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ (2022)
The blue hedgehog’s sequel upped the ante with more speed, bigger laughs, and Knuckles joining the crew. Ben Schwartz and James Marsden kept the charm, while Carrey chewed scenery like a champ. It’s family fun that doesn’t skimp on game nods—pure Sega joy.
Box office receipts spun out. It snagged $190.1 million in the States and $405.4 million worldwide, nearly doubling its $110 million budget. Records shattered, fans cheered—Sonic proved he’s got staying power in Hollywood’s race.
3. ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ (2024)
Sonic zipped back with pals Tails and Knuckles, plus Keanu Reeves as Shadow, in this third outing. Sega and Paramount nailed the speed and heart, making it a holiday smash. Jim Carrey’s Eggman antics didn’t hurt either—it’s a blue-blur blast for all ages.
It’s at $200.2 million domestically and $491 million worldwide, built on a $120 million budget. Third game movie to crack $200 million in the U.S.—Sonic’s running laps around the competition.
2. ‘A Minecraft Movie’ (2025)
Jack Black’s Steve and Jason Momoa’s Garrett lead a ragtag crew through Minecraft’s blocky wilds in this family-friendly romp. Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Hansen join the fun, with Jennifer Coolidge stealing laughs. Warner Bros. crafted a visual love letter to the game—Piglins, Zombies, and all—that’s got kids and parents hooked. It’s pure, creative chaos that lands as a 2025 must-see.
It’s pulled in $281 million domestically and $550.6 million worldwide on a $150 million budget. That’s the biggest opening ever for a game adaptation, topping ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie.’ First 2025 flick to hit $200 million in the U.S. in a week—it’s building a box office empire block by block.
1. ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ (2023)
Mario and Luigi jumped from Nintendo to theaters with Chris Pratt and Charlie Day leading an all-star cast. Illumination’s animation popped with Mushroom Kingdom magic—Jack Black’s Bowser even stole scenes with a killer song. It’s nostalgia done right, and we couldn’t get enough.
The profits? Insane. It racked up $574.9 million domestically and a mind-blowing $1.36 billion worldwide on a $100 million budget. The highest-grossing game movie ever, plus the third-biggest animated flick of all time—Mario’s coin count is unbeatable.
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