‘Mortal Kombat’: Is the new movie the best video game movie of all-time?

Fans of the video game series Mortal Kombat were thrilled to finally watch the new live-action adaptation of this fighting video game, which dropped on HBO Max this past weekend as part of Warner Bros. 2021 same day release campaign. Many fans seemed to be thrilled over this new incarnation of their favorite Mortal Kombat characters, while other fans were left a bit underwhelmed, seeing as the film sort of acts as a prequel.

That being said, there’s no denying that, aside from a weak script and some cringy dialogue, that 2021’s Mortal Kombat is certainly in consideration when discussing some of the better video game movies of all time, because let’s face it . . . there’s really not that many good ones. The new Mortal Kombat, while perhaps a “C+” in any other movie circle, warrants a fair “A-” rating as it pertains to the genre of video game movies. 

This got us thinking, is Mortal Kombat the best video game movie of all time? We won’t judge if that’s what you think of the new movie. However, we have some contenders of our own that we believe deserve your consideration. Don’t worry, you won’t find 1993’s Super Mario Bros. anywhere on this list only in our hearts. As well, to qualify for this list the movie MUST be an adaption of an actual video game . . . sorry Jumanji. 

Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog was a film that was based on a series of video games created by Sega, featuring the titular Sonic the Hedgehog, a superspeed hero who must unite with his friends to stop the evil doings of the mastermind Dr. Robotnik, or Eggman. The film notoriously went through a post-production delay after a public outcry on Sonic’s design after the first trailer dropped. Luckily, it all was fixed before it hit theatres. 

The film tells the story of Sonic, who embraces his new home on the planet Earth, right up until he accidentally knocks out a major power grid, sparking the attention of the evil Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Now, it’s a race of good vs. evil, as Sonic must try and stop Robotnik from using Sonic’s special powers in an attempt to achieve world domination. 

The film, which was directed by Jeff Fowler, also starred James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic.  

Tomb Raider (2018)

While we all surely have a soft spot for that original 2001 adaption, I think we can all agree that 2018’s Tomb Raider starring Alicia Vikander as the titular character is the superior of the adaptations made involving this female Indiana Jones. 

The film tells the story of Lara Croft, the fierce daughter of an adventurer who vanished years earlier. Hoping to solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance, Lara embarks on an exciting adventure to his last-known destination, a fabled tomb on an island that might be somewhere off the coast of Japan. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Lara must rely on her witty mind, blind courage, and her father’s stories in order to rescue him.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the online slot game based on the titular character. According to comparison website BingoFind.com, it was developed to take advantage of the buzz surrounding the release of the movie, but it failed to gain any traction with players amid issues with visuals and sound.

The film, which had a sequel greenlit in 2020, also stars Walton Goggins, Dominic West, Nick Frost, and Daniel Wu. 

Pokemon Detective Pikachu

While perhaps not a faithful adaptation, 2019’s Detective Pikachu certainly qualifies for our list, given its touching heart as well as its faithful portrayal of the Pokemon we loved as children, giving many of us a nostalgia blast that’s as fulfilling as the game itself. 

Detective Pikachu tells the story of top detective Harry Goodman gone missing, forcing his young son, Tim, to find out what happened. Helping in the investigation is Harry’s former Pokémon partner, the wise-cracking Detective Pikachu. Finding that they are perfectly equipped to work together, seeing as Tim is the only human who can talk with Pikachu, they join forces to unravel the mystery of his lost father.

The film stars Ryan Reynolds as the voice of Pikachu, as well as Justice Smith, Ken Watanabe, and Kathryn Newton.