From Fallout to Resident Evil: Video games take over screens
Video games adaptations have firmly stepped into the spotlight, evolving from risky experiments into some of the most successful and talked-about screen projects worldwide. No longer confined to niche audiences, these films and series now attract viewers regardless of whether they have ever picked up a controller. Spanning genres from post-apocalyptic drama to animated fantasy and family adventure, the following adaptations highlight how gaming stories are reshaping global entertainment.
Post-apocalyptic worlds: Fallout
Few gaming universes are as distinctive as Fallout. Prime Video’s adaptation captures the franchise’s blend of bleak survival and dark humour, set in a retro-futuristic world devastated by nuclear war. The story centres on sheltered Vault dwellers forced into the moral and physical dangers of the wasteland. Following the explosive conclusion of its first season, the second season pushes further into the Mojave wasteland and the iconic ruins of New Vegas. With performances from Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Walton Goggins and Kyle MacLachlan, Fallout has quickly established itself as a flagship series in the video game adaptation boom.
Animated fantasy and politics: Arcane
Arcane proves that animation can rival live-action storytelling in depth and emotional impact. Set in the divided cities of Piltover and Zaun, the series explores inequality, ambition and the consequences of unchecked innovation. At its heart is the tragic relationship between sisters Vi and Jinx, torn apart by social divides and personal loss. Drawing on characters from League of Legends, including Caitlyn, Jayce, Viktor and Ekko, Arcane combines striking visuals with mature themes, making it accessible even to viewers unfamiliar with the game.
Survival horror and action: Resident Evil
The Resident Evil franchise remains one of the most enduring examples of video games storytelling on screen. Based on Capcom’s iconic horror series, it follows the global collapse triggered by the Umbrella Corporation’s T-virus, which turns humans into zombies and monstrous mutations. Across films and television adaptations, characters such as Alice, Leon, Claire, Jill and Chris Redfield battle both the infected and the corporate forces behind the disaster. Its lasting appeal lies in its ability to reinvent itself while preserving its core mix of horror, action and apocalyptic tension.
Emotional drama: The Last of Us
Originally a critically acclaimed PlayStation game, The Last of Us arrived on television with high expectations and met them with confidence. Set after a deadly fungal outbreak, the series follows Joel, a hardened survivor, and Ellie, a teenage girl immune to the infection. Their dangerous journey across a ruined America becomes a deeply human story about grief, love and moral compromise. The adaptation has been praised for respecting the source material while expanding its emotional and narrative scope.
Family-friendly adventure: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Balancing darker themes is The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a colourful and nostalgic celebration of Nintendo’s most famous characters. The film follows Mario and Luigi as they are separated in a vibrant fantasy world, with Mario teaming up with Princess Peach and Toad to rescue Luigi from Bowser. Packed with familiar power-ups, characters and humour, the film offers accessible, feel-good entertainment for audiences of all ages.
From bleak wastelands to animated cities and magical kingdoms, these adaptations show that video game stories have fully claimed their place on screen. They are no longer just games to be played, but worlds to be watched, revisited and enjoyed again and again.
