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'Super Mario Bros.' -

The hotly anticipated 'Super Mario Bros.' movie finally hit the big screen on April 5, 2023. During its opening weekend, it raked in US $377.2 million globally, and earned a further US$87 million from its second weekend in theaters. With the box office earnings surpassing US$500 million in just two weeks, it's officially the highest-grossing video game adaptation ever made. With a production budget of just US$100 million, which is half what the average Disney or Pixar movie costs, it's already a major financial success. The star-studded cast features Chris Pratt as Mario and Charlie Day as Luigi, with Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong. Comedy powerhouses Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, and Fred Armisen also played supporting roles.

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'Super Mario Bros.' - In 1993, a live-action movie adaptation of the game was made. It starred Bob Hoskins as Mario and John Leguizamo as Luigi, and turned out to be a total flop. Thankfully, 2023's animated movie has redeemed the brothers!

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'Super Mario Bros.' - The characters are such a big cultural hit that Mario even has his own day on March 10.

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'The Last of Us' -

In 2023, HBO released 'The Last of Us' based on the game, in which Pedro Pascal plays Joel and Bella Ramsey plays Ellie. The show has been a runaway success and came to its season one finale on March 12 after nine episodes. While the show has garnered much success among those who never played the game, those who have played the game are comparing the show to its original material to mixed results. Bella Ramsey previously warned in an interview with Vogue that the finale is, "going to divide people massively–massively," and that may indeed be because the show is incredibly faithful to the game. But many are arguing that the show, necessarily, has to compact so much of what made the game so appealing. The series was so well made that it was nominated for 24 Emmy Awards, with a leading eight wins at the 75th cerimony. 

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'Borderlands' - The bombastic 'Borderlands' video game franchise is coming to the big screen with big stars like Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black. 'Borderlands' is a high-energy first-person shooter game that combines elements of fantasy and space-Western. Cate Blanchett plays a character called Lilith with flaming red hair, Jack Black will voice a robot, and Kevin Hart plays a former soldier called Roland. The movie will be directed by Eli Roth and the script was written by Craig Mazin, the creator of the hit HBO mini-series 'Chernobyl.' A release date has yet to be announced.

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'Sonic the Hedgehog 2' -

'Sonic the Hedgehog' is one of the most beloved video game characters of all time, first bursting onto our screens when Sega released the original game in 1991. Several animated series based on the character have been released over the decades, but the first live-action blockbuster hit cinemas in February of 2020. 'Sonic the Hedgehog,' starring Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic and Jim Carrey as the villainous Dr. Robotnik. Finally, the much-anticipated sequel, 'Sonic the Hedgehog 2,' was released on March 31, 2022. It packs even greater star power with Idris Elba joining the cast to voice the character Knuckles. 

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'Uncharted' -

Tom Holland delivers a solid performance as Nathan Drake in this visually stunning adaptation of the popular video game series. In the 2022 film, the street-smart Drake teams up with seasoned treasure hunter Victor 'Sully' Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) to search for a 500-year-old fortune.

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'Uncharted' -

While the film may lack the narrative depth of the games, it offers thrilling action sequences and stunning visuals. Fans of the 'Uncharted' franchise have had mixed reviews, with some appreciating the film's efforts to condense the games' references, while others found the character development lacking.

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'Tomb Raider' -

'Tomb Raider' (2018) is the third and latest movie based on the ballsy archaeologist Lara Croft. The remake starred Alicia Vikander as Lara.

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'Tomb Raider' - In 2001, Angelina Jolie played the main part in 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.' Despite the bad reception, the movie even got a sequel 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life.'

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'Resident Evil' -

Milla Jovovich played the lead role in the zombie franchise, which started in 2002 and released what was supposedly its installment, 'Resident Evil: The Final Chapter,' in 2016.

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'Resident Evil' -

However, a reboot with a new cast and director was released in 2021. 'Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City' starred Kaya Scodelario and was directed by Johannes Roberts.

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'Mortal Kombat' - One of the biggest fighting games of the '90s inspired a short-lived movie franchise. The first movie, 'Mortal Kombat' (1995), which was directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, was a big hit.

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'Mortal Kombat' - The story about a mortal tournament is set in another universe, and stars Christopher Lambert as the leader Lord Raiden. The other popular characters Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Kano, Sonya Blade, and Princess Kitana were played by lesser-known actors.

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'Mortal Kombat' - After the success of the first movie, a disastrous sequel 'Mortal Kombat: Annihilation' (1997), was released.

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'Mortal Kombat' -

Thankfully, a reboot was released in 2021 that regained some pride for the franchise. 'Mortal Kombat' was released in cinemas and on HBO Max, becoming HBO Max's most successful film launch to date. 

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'Assassin's Creed' -

One of the most successful games in recent times was made into a super-production, signed by director Justin Kurzel, which divided opinion among fans.

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'Assassin's Creed' - Michael Fassbender played Cal Lynch, a character who relives the adventures of his 15th century Spanish ancestor, the assassin Aguilar de Nerha. A skillful fighter, he returns to fight against the Knights Templar.

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'Street Fighter' - This game was also very popular in the '90s, and the expectations for a movie worthy of the gaming franchise were high. Unfortunately, the big screen version was a disappointment. 'Street Fighter' (1994) starred Jean-Claude Van Damme as the soldier Guile, who became the main character in the movie.

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'Street Fighter' - But the beloved Raul Julia, who plays the crazy dictator Bison, saves the movie directed by Steven E. de Souza. This was one of the actor's last roles before his death.

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'Silent Hill' - 'Silent Hill' is generally considered one of the best screen adaptations of a game ever made. The movie captures the same convincing and terrifying story line as the original video game.

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'Silent Hill' - Radha Mitchell and Sean Bean star in the movie, which was directed by Christophe Gans. The girl was played by Jodelle Ferland. The sequel, 'Silent Hill: Revelation' was released in 2012, with Carrie-Anne Moss ('Matrix') and Kit Harrington (John Snow from 'Game of Thrones').

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'Dungeon Siege' - The 2007 movie adaptation of this game was called 'In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale.' The epic fantasy adventure tells the story of a king who must protect his castle and people from a terrible man.

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'Dungeon Siege' - An attacking army of monster warriors, known as Krugs, is sent by the villain to get the king. Jason Statham is a simple man who transforms after his son is killed and his wife kidnapped.

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'Warcraft' -

The RPG online cult game was adapted in 2016 with a large budget by director Duncan Jones. The fantasy Medieval epic focuses on a war between men and orcs. Unfortunately,  the movie was a flop in the US.

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'Warcraft' - In 2020, it was announced that Legendary were working on a new 'Warcraft' movie, although no other details have yet been shared.

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'Prince of Persia' -

In 2010, a movie adaptation of 'Prince of Persia' was made. The game was popular for its incredible graphics, realistic movement, and playability. Unfortunately, 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,' didn't do well. Even lead actor Jake Gyllenhaal, and director Mike Newell (from the 'Harry Potter' franchise) couldn't save it from the critics. 

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'Prince of Persia' -

Jake Gyllenhaal plays a young prince in the movie, who helps his brother conquer a city. There, he finds a strange and beautiful sword, which gives its wearer the ability to travel in time.

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'Max Payne' - This was another game which inspired a big Hollywood adaptation. Directed by John Moore, the movie starred Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis.

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'Max Payne' - In the plot, a police officer and a woman come together in vengeance to investigate the murders of their loved ones. The pair stumble through the underworld of crime on their mission.

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'Doom' -

The famous game got its screen adaptation in 2005. The story centers around a specially trained team which goes to Mars after a space station crew suddenly get their communication with Earth cut off.

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'Doom' - 'Doom' starred Dwayne Johnson 'The Rock,' who was then at the beginning of his career.

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'Need for Speed' -

The 2014 movie adaptation of the game came hot on the heels of the successful 'Fast and Furious' franchise. The racing game which inspired the production starred Aaron Paul ('Breaking Bad'). It was not as successful at the box office, but there's potential for a sequel.

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'Tekken' - One of gaming fans' favorite fighting animations was adapted for the screen in 2010. It was released in movie theaters in Japan and other Asian countries, but in the West was just released direct-to-video.

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'Double Dragon' - In the 1994 plot, two fighter brothers, played by Mark Dacascos and Scott Wolf, have half of a powerful talisman in their possession, an object which is highly desired by the villain, played by Robert Patrick.

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'Wing Commander' - The 1999 movie is an adaptation of the simulator space ship game. It starred Freddie Prinze Jr. (pictured) and Matthew Lillard.

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'Hitman' -

This 2007 movie is about a highly skilled, bald, and well-dressed assassin. In the cast are Timothy Olyphant and bond girl Olga Kurylenko. A sequel was released in 2015.

See also: Celebrities who appear in video games

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