5 Best Movies Based On Nintendo Games, Ranked

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Over the past few years, we’ve seen a surge in video game adaptations for the big screen, and Nintendo is now joining the trend. While Nintendo hasn’t made many movies historically, they’ve significantly ramped up their film production in recent years. With more on the way, let’s take a look at the five best movies based on Nintendo games released so far.

For a long time, turning video games into movies and TV shows almost always resulted in flops. Films like Resident Evil, House of the Dead, and Mortal Kombat: Annihilation were prime examples. But starting in the late 2010s, things began to change. The 2019 film Detective Pikachu was widely praised as the first truly good video game movie, and later projects like the Sonic the Hedgehog series and HBO’s The Last of Us showed further progress. Now, with The Super Mario Bros. Movie and a Legend of Zelda movie in development, Nintendo seems confident they’ve finally figured out how to make successful adaptations.

5) Super Mario Bros.

The fact that the live-action Super Mario Bros. movie is even considered one of the top five Nintendo films says a lot about the quality of other adaptations. While famously a poor attempt to bring Super Mario to life – transforming its bright, cheerful world into something dark and action-packed – it’s actually not as terrible as its reputation suggests.

With The Super Mario Bros. Movie now available, it’s easier to appreciate adaptations that take more creative liberties. This version offers a grittier, more adventurous take on Mario and Luigi, showcasing a side of Nintendo we don’t often see.

4) Pokémon: The First Movie

Prior to the 2020s, the Pokémon movies were Nintendo’s biggest cinematic successes. Pokémon: The First Movie stands out as a particularly beloved film, expanding the anime series into an epic adventure where Ash and his friends face off against Mewtwo. It’s famous for a surprisingly touching ending that continues to resonate with Pokémon fans and remains a memorable story for many.

Pokémon: The First Movie kicked off the series of Pokémon animated films, becoming the first of 23. While it shares some of the same issues as the original Pokémon anime, it also captures everything fans loved about the show. It’s a strong adaptation that helped expand the Pokémon universe during the peak of its popularity.

3) Pokémon: The Movie 2000

Although Pokémon: The First Movie is a classic, many fans consider Pokémon: The Movie 2000 to be even better. Set during the second season of the original Pokémon animated series, the movie follows Ash and his companions as they become stranded on an island and learn about the legendary birds Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno.

Okay, so revisiting Pokémon: The Movie 2000, I have to admit it still suffers from some of the same problems as the first film and the TV show – the animation can feel a little rough around the edges, and the voice acting isn’t always the strongest. But honestly, I found it a more enjoyable watch overall. The story is a bit more involved and complex, which definitely adds to the experience if you’re already a Pokémon fan.

2) Detective Pikachu

It’s no surprise that another Pokémon movie ranks among the top Nintendo films. This one, Detective Pikachu from 2019, is a bit different – it’s live-action instead of animated. The film follows Justice Smith as he investigates his missing father, teaming up with a talking Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) based on the popular spin-off game.

The movie Detective Pikachu successfully brings the world of Pokémon to life with realistic-looking Pokémon, which was a concern for many fans beforehand. It offers a fresh take on the usual Pokémon formula, presenting a detective story set in a city instead of the typical journey of a trainer catching Pokémon.

1) The Super Mario Bros. Movie

It’s fitting that Nintendo’s biggest movie is based on their most famous series, Super Mario Bros. The Super Mario Bros. Movie tells the story of Mario and Luigi being transported to the Mushroom Kingdom. When Luigi is captured by Bowser, Mario must join forces with Princess Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong, and others to save him.

Compared to the other films on this list, The Super Mario Bros. Movie stays truest to its source material. The characters and environments closely resemble the original video games, making the movie feel like you’re actually playing one. Aside from the frequent use of popular songs, the film successfully captures the games’ energy, comedy, and overall enjoyment, and the next installment, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, appears poised to do the same.

What’s your favorite Nintendo movie? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-11 01:10