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R.I.P. video game movie curse (1993-2024): Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is Certified Fresh! While the cracks on the seal began to appear with 2021’s Werewolves Within, that excellent comedy is based on a virtually unknown VR gaming property. Sonic 3 is the first major video game movie to be hit Certified Fresh with critics. It's also Verified Hot with audiences!
It was in 1993 that Hollywood realized the dream of putting a video game movie up on the big screen with Super Mario Bros., and setting the stage for a long legacy of questionable choices, troubled productions, and gamers’ pixel tears left in their wake. But like the kid who just has to pump in one more quarter to reach for that high score, the studios keep on trying (while the fans just keep on hoping), and we’re celebrating that sort of sheer tenacity with this guide to the best video game movies ranked by Tomatometer. The top 10 are below. You can see the complete list at Rotten Tomatoes.
10. Tomb Raider (2018)
Tomatometer: 52%
Popcornmeter: 55%
Synopsis: Lara Croft is the fiercely independent daughter of an eccentric adventurer who vanished years earlier. Hoping to solve the mystery of her father's disappearance, Croft embarks on a perilous journey to his last-known destination -- a fabled tomb on a mythical island that might be somewhere off the coast of Japan. The stakes couldn't be higher as Lara must rely on her sharp mind, blind faith and stubborn spirit to venture into the unknown.
Starring: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu
Directed By: Roar Uthaug
9. Mortal Kombat (2021)
Tomatometer: 55%
Popcornmeter: 86%
Synopsis: In Mortal Kombat, MMA fighter Cole Young, accustomed to taking a beating for money, is unaware of his heritage--or why Outworld's Emperor Shang Tsung has sent his best warrior, Sub-Zero, an otherworldly Cryomancer, to hunt Cole down. Fearing for his family's safety, Cole goes in search of Sonya Blade at the direction of Jax, a Special Forces Major who bears the same strange dragon marking Cole was born with. Soon, he finds himself at the temple of Lord Raiden, an Elder God and the protector of Earthrealm, who grants sanctuary to those who bear the mark. Here, Cole trains with experienced warriors Liu Kang, Kung Lao and rogue mercenary Kano, as he prepares to stand with Earth's greatest champions against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe. But will Cole be pushed hard enough to unlock his arcana--the immense power from within his soul--in time to save not only his family, but to stop Outworld once and for all?
Starring: Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Joe Taslim
Directed By: Simon McQuoid
8. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Tomatometer: 59%
Popcornmeter: 95%
Synopsis: Mario and Luigi go on a whirlwind adventure through Mushroom Kingdom, uniting with a cast of familiar characters to defeat Bowser.
Starring: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black
Directed By: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic
7. Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Tomatometer: 64%
Popcornmeter: 93%
Synopsis: The world needed a hero -- it got a hedgehog. Powered with incredible speed, Sonic embraces his new home on Earth -- until he accidentally knocks out the power grid, sparking the attention of uncool evil genius Dr. Robotnik. Now, it's supervillain vs. supersonic in an all-out race across the globe to stop Robotnik from using Sonic's unique power to achieve world domination.
Starring: James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter
Directed By: Jeff Fowler
6. Gran Turismo: Based On A True Story (2023)
Tomatometer: 65%
Popcornmeter: 98%
Synopsis: Based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough, the film is the ultimate wish fulfillment tale of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional racecar driver.
Starring: David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe, Darren Barnet
Directed By: Neill Blomkamp
5. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
Tomatometer: 69%
Popcornmeter: 96%
Synopsis: The world's favorite blue hedgehog is back for a next-level adventure in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search for an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.
Starring: James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter
Directed By: Jeff Fowler
4. Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)
Tomatometer: 68%
Popcornmeter: 79%
Synopsis: Ace detective Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son, Tim, to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry's former Pokémon partner, wise-cracking, adorable super-sleuth Detective Pikachu. Finding that they are uniquely equipped to work together, as Tim is the only human who can talk with Pikachu, they join forces to unravel the tangled mystery.
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton, Bill Nighy
Directed By: Rob Letterman
3. The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)
Tomatometer: 72%
Popcornmeter: 84%
Synopsis: Red, Chuck, Bomb and the rest of their feathered friends are surprised when a green pig suggests that they put aside their differences and unite to fight a common threat. Aggressive birds from an island covered in ice are planning to use an elaborate weapon to destroy the fowl and swine way of life. After picking their best and brightest, the birds and pigs come up with a scheme to infiltrate the island, deactivate the device and return to their respective paradises intact.
Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Leslie Jones, Bill Hader
Directed By: Thurop Van Orman
2. Werewolves Within (2021)
Tomatometer: 86%
Popcornmeter: 80%
Synopsis: After a proposed pipeline creates divisions within the small town of Beaverfield, and a snowstorm traps its residents together inside the local inn, newly arrived forest ranger Finn (Sam Richardson) and postal worker Cecily (Milana Vayntrub) must try to keep the peace and uncover the truth behind a mysterious creature that has begun terrorizing the community.
Critics Consensus: Werewolves Within is the rare horror comedy that offers equal helpings of either genre -- and adds up to a whole lot of fun in the bargain.
Starring: Sam Richardson, Milana Vayntrub, George Basil, Sarah Burns
Directed By: Josh Ruben
1. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)
Tomatometer: 87%
Popcornmeter: 98%
Synopsis: Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
Starring: Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter
Directed By: Jeff Fowler
