22 Must-See Classic Movies About Video Games

Video games have evolved a lot since the days of Pong and Pac-Man. Along the way, they’ve played a significant role in shaping other forms of media — especially the world of cinema. Do you love games and movies? Then don’t sleep on these classic movies featuring video games (real or fictional) as a key element driving the theme, story, and characters.

Ranging from 1982 to 2018, each one is like a time capsule, capturing a snapshot of the way video games were impacting society’s hopes and fears. So grab that futuristic brain-computer interface, jack in, and transport yourself to the world of classic movies where video games take center stage.

Tron (1982)

IMDb Score: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%
Release Date: July 9, 1982
Movie Studio: Walt Disney Productions
Domestic Gross Revenue: $33 million

Tron is a groundbreaking sci-fi film that tells the story of a computer programmer, Kevin Flynn, who gets transported into a digital world. Inside the computer, he must compete in life-threatening games while trying to overthrow the oppressive Master Control Program and free the enslaved programs.

If you’re familiar with the beloved Tron arcade game, we’ll forgive you for thinking this movie was based on the game. It was actually the other way around, the game came out in 1982 a few months after the movie.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3efV2wqEjEY

WarGames (1983)

IMDb Score: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Release Date: June 3, 1983
Movie Studio: MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
Domestic Gross Revenue: $79 million

Supposedly, this movie convinced President Ronald Reagan to take cybersecurity seriously. WarGames is a suspenseful thriller that revolves around a young computer hacker named David Lightman, who accidentally gets access to a top-secret military supercomputer. Since he thinks he’s just playing a computer game simulation, he accidentally brings the world to the brink of nuclear war, and must race against time to prevent a disaster.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbqMuvnx5MU

The Last Starfighter (1984)

IMDb Score: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%
Release Date: July 13, 1984
Movie Studio: Universal Pictures
Domestic Gross Revenue: $28 million

The Last Starfighter is a sci-fi adventure film about a skilled video gamer named Alex Rogan, who is recruited by aliens (yes, aliens) to help fight in an interstellar war. His elite skills in an arcade game make him a perfect candidate to pilot a real starfighter, and defend the galaxy against a dangerous enemy force.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7NaxBxFWSo

Cloak & Dagger (1984)

IMDb Score: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 67%
Release Date: August 10, 1984
Movie Studio: Universal Pictures
Domestic Gross Revenue: $9 million

Cloak & Dagger follows the story of a young boy named Davey, who gets caught up in a dangerous spy plot when he receives a video game cartridge containing secret information. With the help of his imaginary secret agent friend Jack Flack, Davey must stay one step ahead of the villains who are after the cartridge.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUwucE-kh6I

The Wizard (1989)

IMDb Score: 6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 32%
Release Date: December 15, 1989
Movie Studio: Universal Pictures
Domestic Gross Revenue: $14 million

The Wizard is a heartwarming family film about a young boy named Jimmy who has a unique talent for video games. He embarks on a cross-country journey with his brother and a new friend to compete in a national video game championship, but it’s not all fun and games — because all the while, Jimmy is being pursued by a determined bounty hunter.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz1uHCxWxMw

The Lawnmower Man (1992)

IMDb Score: 5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 38%
Release Date: March 6, 1992
Movie Studio: New Line Cinema
Domestic Gross Revenue: $32 million

This is one of those movies that’s supposedly based on a short story, but in fact has almost nothing in common except for the title. The Lawnmower Man follows Dr. Angelo, a scientist who experiments with virtual reality and human intelligence enhancement. When he tests his experimental treatment on a simple-minded gardener named Jobe, the latter becomes super-intelligent and powerful, with dangerous consequences.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCxFGxqLsHE

Brainscan (1994)

IMDb Score: 6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 18%
Release Date: April 22, 1994
Movie Studio: Triumph Films
Domestic Gross Revenue: $4 million

Brainscan is a horror film that follows a teenager named Michael, who becomes enthralled by a mysterious and realistic video game called Brainscan. As he plays the game, he discovers that his in-game actions have real-life consequences, and he must confront the game’s sinister host, known as the Trickster.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADfW-Meo0WI

Virtuosity (1995)

IMDb Score: 5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 34%
Release Date: August 4, 1995
Movie Studio: Paramount Pictures
Domestic Gross Revenue: $24 million

Virtuosity is a sci-fi action film set in a future where a virtual reality police training program goes awry when its AI villain, Sid 6.7, escapes into the real world. A former police officer must come out of retirement to track down and stop the deadly AI before it wreaks havoc on the city.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdYoDEh_L7M

eXistenZ (1999)

IMDb Score: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%
Release Date: April 23, 1999
Movie Studio: Dimension Films
Domestic Gross Revenue: $2.8 million

eXistenZ is a sci-fi thriller directed by David Cronenberg that explores the blurred lines between reality and virtual reality. The film follows a game designer, Allegra Geller, who creates a groundbreaking new virtual reality game called eXistenZ. When she becomes the target of an assassination attempt, she must team up with a marketing trainee to uncover a conspiracy that threatens the world of virtual gaming.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAdbdUt_h9M

The Thirteenth Floor (1999)

IMDb Score: 7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 29%
Release Date: May 28, 1999
Movie Studio: Columbia Pictures
Domestic Gross Revenue: $11 million

The Thirteenth Floor is a sci-fi thriller that takes place in a world where virtual reality simulations are used to explore alternate realities. The movie follows a computer scientist, who becomes the primary suspect in a murder case involving his mentor. As he tries to clear his name, he discovers a hidden virtual reality world that holds the key to the mystery.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtYdZkPmFoU

Avalon (2001)

IMDb Score: 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 58%
Release Date: January 20, 2001
Movie Studio: Bandai Visual
Domestic Gross Revenue: N/A

Avalon is a visually striking Polish-Japanese science fiction film set in a dystopian future. It follows the story of Ash, a skilled player of an illegal virtual reality game called “Avalon,” which is notorious for its addictive nature and potential to cause real-world harm to its players. When Ash hears about a mysterious higher level within the game, she embarks on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth behind Avalon and its impact on the players’ lives.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1LOwuDq0Gs

How to Make a Monster (2001)

IMDb Score: 4.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: N/A
Release Date: October 14, 2001
Movie Studio: Cinemax Reel Life
Domestic Gross Revenue: N/A

How to Make a Monster is a made-for-TV horror film that tells the story of a team of video game developers who create an advanced AI for their latest game. When a lightning strike causes the AI to become self-aware and take control of the game’s virtual monsters, the developers must fight to survive their own creations.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbnqW0U7Zt4

Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003)

IMDb Score: 4.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 45%
Release Date: July 25, 2003
Movie Studio: Dimension Films
Domestic Gross Revenue: $111 million

Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over follows the adventures of Juni Cortez, a former spy kid, as he enters a virtual reality game to save his sister Carmen and the world from an evil toy maker. With the help of his family and friends, Juni must navigate through various levels of the game to rescue Carmen and defeat the villain.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNPICoWmWGg

Grandma’s Boy (2006)

IMDb Score: 7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 16%
Release Date: January 6, 2006
Movie Studio: 20th Century Fox
Domestic Gross Revenue: $6 million

Grandma’s Boy is a raunchy comedy about a video game tester named Alex who moves in with his grandmother and her two elderly roommates after losing his apartment. While trying to keep his new living situation a secret, he must also deal with a tyrannical boss and a romantic interest, all while working on a top-secret video game project.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsEuOw3ihbs

Stay Alive (2006)

IMDb Score: 5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 9%
Release Date: March 24, 2006
Movie Studio: Hollywood Pictures
Domestic Gross Revenue: $23 million

Stay Alive is a horror film centered around a group of friends who discover a mysterious video game that causes its players to die in real life in the same way they die in the game. The group must unravel the game’s dark secrets and find a way to survive before it’s too late.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjzqGzuZSfI

Summer Wars (2009)

IMDb Score: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
Release Date: August 1, 2009
Movie Studio: Madhouse
Domestic Gross Revenue: $78,182

Summer Wars is an acclaimed Japanese animated film that centers on a teenage math prodigy, Kenji, who is falsely accused of hacking into a virtual world called OZ. To clear his name, he must work with a large family to prevent a rogue AI program from causing widespread chaos and destruction both in the virtual world and the real world.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BB5V6CgDOg

Gamer (2009)

IMDb Score: 5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 30%
Release Date: September 4, 2009
Movie Studio: Lionsgate
Domestic Gross Revenue: $20 million

Gamer is a futuristic action film set in a world where players can control human beings in a massive multiplayer online game called “Slayers.” The movie follows Kable, a death row inmate who must survive the brutal game to win his freedom, as he becomes the pawn in a larger conspiracy.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn3iDcKK1ec

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

IMDb Score: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
Release Date: August 13, 2010
Movie Studio: Universal Pictures
Domestic Gross Revenue: $31 million

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a visually stunning action-comedy that follows the titular character as he falls in love with Ramona Flowers. To win her heart, he must defeat her seven evil exes in a series of video game-inspired battles, showcasing an inventive blend of gaming culture and cinematic storytelling.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wd5KEaOtm4

Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

IMDb Score: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
Release Date: November 2, 2012
Movie Studio: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Domestic Gross Revenue: $189 million

Wreck-It Ralph tells the story of a video game villain named Ralph who grows tired of always being the bad guy. He sets off on an adventure through various video game worlds to become a hero, making friends and enemies along the way while discovering the true meaning of his existence.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87E6N7ToCxs

Her (2013)

IMDb Score: 8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Release Date: January 10, 2014
Movie Studio: Warner Bros.
Domestic Gross Revenue: $25 million

Her is a thought-provoking romantic drama that takes place in a near-future world where video games and AI have become deeply ingrained in everyday life. The film tells the story of Theodore Twombly, a lonely man who falls in love with an AI named Samantha. Throughout the film, video games are used as a backdrop to explore the complexities of human relationships and the nature of love in an increasingly digital world.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJTU48_yghs

Pixels (2015)

IMDb Score: 5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 17%
Release Date: July 24, 2015
Movie Studio: Columbia Pictures
Domestic Gross Revenue: $78 million

Pixels is a sci-fi comedy in which Earth is invaded by aliens who have misinterpreted video game feeds from the 1980s as a declaration of war. The President calls upon his childhood friends, former arcade champions, to battle the alien forces in the form of giant video game characters.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAHprLW48no

Ready Player One (2018)

IMDb Score: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%
Release Date: March 29, 2018
Movie Studio: Warner Bros.
Domestic Gross Revenue: $137 million

Ready Player One is a visually spectacular sci-fi adventure set in a dystopian future where people escape their harsh reality by spending time in a virtual world called the OASIS. The protagonist, Wade Watts, embarks on a high-stakes quest to find an Easter egg hidden within the OASIS by its creator, which promises immense wealth and power.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSp1dM2Vj48

Grab some popcorn and get comfy

Each of these films offers insights into how the world’s culture at the time viewed video games. Explore the surprising relationships between “real” reality and virtual reality, and the potential consequences — real or imagined — of advanced gaming technology. Some of these films are truly amazing, and some are so bad that you’ll be amazed they were released. Either way, you’re sure to be entertained!

Got a favorite movie about video games that’s not on the list? Leave a comment telling me why it’s awesome, and I’ll add it!