The theatrical release of the film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) open the season to make a summary of all those films that have led role-playing games or video game to the big screen (some more than others).
This form of entertainment has experienced a great boom in the world of cinema, allowing viewers to enjoy those boards they have spent so much time on imagining other worlds now sitting from the comfort of your sofa.
It is true that in this report not everything will be role playing games widely known, since many of the films on the list, despite not being part of these worlds, could perfectly fit in given their relationship with the world of video games or virtual environments.
If you are a gamer who loves role-playing games and movies, chances are good that these movies are exactly what you need in your life. While there are quite a few video game series to stream, there are surprisingly few noteworthy movies in this space.
7 movies that are based on role-playing games, or at least it seems that way when watching them:
Warcraft: The Origin (2016)
World of Warcraft is one of the most beloved MMORPGs of all time, so it’s no surprise that the live action movie deserves to be on this list. The story follows the war between orcs and humans as the orc horde uses a magical portal to invade the planet Azeroth.
As the greatest war rages on, a smaller group of humans and orcs work to stop the war by working to stop the true evil behind it.
Overall this is not one of the best films of video games out there, but the CGI and references to the game make it a fun fantasy movie worth watching. Is available on netflix.
Willow (1988)
This mythical movie although it does not focus on video games or role-playing games could perfectly fit on this list. As for the plot, in the dungeons of the castle of the evil queen and sorceress Bavmorda, a prisoner gives birth to a girl who, according to an ancient prophecy, will put an end to the queen’s reign.
This will be saved from Bavmorda’s wrath by being thrown into a river and later rescued by nelwyns (dwarves), specifically the children of Willow Ufgood.
From then on, Willow, a small farmer and wizard’s apprentice, will meet Madmartigan, a great swordsman, and Together they journey through a war-torn land of magic and monsters to save the baby princess. from death at the hands of an evil queen. Is available on Disney+.
Bad Example (2008)
Bad Example isn’t your typical role-playing movie, but like Willow, it could fit on this list. The story follows two unlikely friends, Danny and Wheeler, as they both end up being forced to do community service to avoid going to jail.
They each end up enrolling in a role model program and are matched with children who are in desperate need of positive support in their lives. This naturally leads to all engage in multiple epic live role-playing battles that make this film worthy of this report. can you see her on SkyShowtime.
No Game No Life: Zero (2017)
No Game, No Life: Zero is based on the manga series of the same name. The history of humanity’s struggle is highlighted by an epic war. Despite being the only race without magic, humans will be forced to use the true power of intellect to survive in a world that demands it.
This anime movie is actually a prequel to the series No Game, No Life, which is available on Netflix right now. You can also see this second part on the platform AppleTV+.
Free Guy (2021)
Guy is a bank teller who lives a monotonous life in the Free City, a city where every person fulfills a specific role. But one day he realizes that the city is not exactly what he thought.
You will discover that actually he is an NPC character from a brutal open world. This is when you will decide to become the hero of the story and save your friends who are going to be eliminated by the game creator.
The film had many positive reviews. for being a good combination between Ready Player One, The Truman Show, Matrix, The Lego Movie and Grand Theft Auto. A crazy mix but it has worked. can you see her on Disney+.
Ready Player One (2018)
In 2045, conditions in the real world are worse than ever, That’s why people take refuge in the OASIS, an immersive virtual world where you can lead a life whose only limit is your imagination. Maybe we are before as close to what the metaverse can get as possible.
And it is that in this film there is talk of the customization of avatars, the economy, social relations and even the multiverse. To enter it, Wade, its protagonist, uses virtual reality glasses and a haptic suit that allows him to transfer movements from the real world to the virtual world. and also feel what happens in the digital world.
The starting point of this great film is the death of its creator, who before dying offers his fortune and the direction of his company to the winner of an elaborate treasure hunt through the most incredible corners of his creation.
This is how they are going to present the entire created universe and the different functions that take place within it. It is available to view on HBO Max.
Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal scale (2017)
The popular RPG anime series, Sword Art Online, It also has a movie that wonderfully expands on the original story.
The plot follows Kirito as he uncovers a conspiracy with a new AR game called Ordinal Scale. Unlike VR systems of the past, Ordinal Scale runs on a system called The Augma that blends reality and gameplay. It’s an intriguing concept that results in an exciting anime series.
Is a great movie to watch even if you don’t have context of the original series, but it is suggested that you also take a look at it at some point. At the moment it is not available on streaming but you have all the seasons of the series on Crunchyroll.
