2026 Could Be The Best Year For Video Game Movies

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Movies based on video games haven’t always been well-received, but that’s starting to turn around, and 2026 looks like a particularly big year for the genre. Early attempts, like the films based on Super Mario Bros., Street Fighter, and most of the Resident Evil series, were generally considered failures by both critics and audiences.

Video game movies are finally getting better. After a long history of poorly-made adaptations, films like Sonic the Hedgehog and Detective Pikachu have shown recent improvement. And surprisingly, 2026 promises to be an even bigger year for the genre, largely because of new takes on those previously unsuccessful franchises.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Is Sure To Be A Hit

Despite a slow beginning for the film Return to Silent Hill, things are looking up with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Set to release on April 1, 2026, this movie continues the story from the hugely successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie released in 2023, which earned over $1 billion worldwide.

The next movie will likely be a massive success, potentially even more so than the first. Even if critics aren’t impressed, it’s almost certain to earn close to, or over, $1 billion, making it one of the highest-grossing video game movies of all time. That level of financial success means it will be considered a win, no matter what reviewers say.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is likely to be well-received by critics. The first film demonstrated that the creators understand what makes the Mario franchise so popular, and it looks like they’ve built on that success with this new installment. The original voice cast delivers again, and Brie Larson joins the team as Rosalie.

People who enjoy the Super Mario games will likely be very happy with this, and there’s a large and dedicated fanbase for the series.

Mortal Kombat II Should Build On A Solid First Film

The Mortal Kombat movie came out in 1995 and, despite negative reviews, became a favorite among fans. It’s still watched and enjoyed today as a bit of a cult classic. However, the sequel was poorly received and essentially ended the live-action films, though the franchise continued with a series of well-regarded animated projects.

The 2021 Mortal Kombat movie reboot wasn’t a critical success, but it did a good job of introducing the world and characters fans love from the games, while hinting at the iconic tournament. Mortal Kombat II is scheduled for release on May 8th and will finally deliver the full-fledged tournament experience.

This new movie aims to expand on the story established in the first film. The filmmakers are doing this by making Johnny Cage the main character, as fans weren’t thrilled with the original protagonist, Cole Young, from the 2021 movie. While Cole Young will return, Johnny Cage will take the leading role.

Choosing Karl Urban to play Cage might be a surprising pick, but he’s a charismatic and well-liked actor, especially for over-the-top projects like this – you can see that in his work on The Boys. Everything suggests that Mortal Kombat II will be a hit with video game enthusiasts.

Resident Evil Has A Great Director

As a longtime cinema and Resident Evil fan, I have to admit the movie adaptations haven’t been very good. Critics haven’t really embraced them, and honestly, as someone who’s played the games for years, they just don’t feel like Resident Evil. They really stray from what makes the games special. Even the 2021 attempt, Welcome to Raccoon City, didn’t quite hit the mark, unfortunately.

Fans have reason to be optimistic about the 2026 reboot, scheduled for release on September 18th. It’s being directed and co-written by Zach Cregger, who’s known for his work on the critically acclaimed horror films Barbarian and Weapons.

This new Resident Evil film feels like a significant improvement for the series. It also features a talented cast, including Austin Abrams (known from Euphoria), Paul Walter Hauser (Cobra Kai), Zach Cherry (Severance), and Kali Reis (True Detective), all of whom have delivered strong performances recently.

Street Fighter Looks Absurd In The Best Way

The final major video game movie of the year, Street Fighter, arrives in theaters on October 16th. Similar to other game adaptations, a Street Fighter movie has been made before, and it wasn’t well-received. The 1994 film is mostly remembered for Raul Julia’s performance as M. Bison and its over-the-top style.

As a big fan of over-the-top action, I’m really excited about the new Street Fighter movie! It looks like it’s leaning into the wonderfully cheesy side of things, and honestly, that’s perfect. The core idea of Street Fighter is simple – fighters battling it out – but it’s always had these hilariously ridiculous moments, like characters destroying cars just for extra points. And the trailer makes it clear this adaptation isn’t shying away from that, which means it’s going to be a ton of fun!

The movie boasts a wildly diverse cast, mixing major stars like Jason Momoa and talented character actors like David Dastmalchian with professional wrestlers (Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Hirooki Goto), rappers (50 Cent), comedians (Eric André), and martial arts experts (Rayna Vallandingham). It’s shaping up to be a visually exciting and over-the-top film.

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2026-02-10 18:11