These Horror Game Adaptations Are Actually Terrifying—and You’ll Definitely Want to Watch

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Summary

  • Dead Space: Downfall sets up the USG Ishimura’s fall with Necromorphs and gore, aligning with the game.
  • Resident Evil (2002) had entertaining action, a unique setting, and spawned successful sequels despite lore discrepancies.
  • The Last of Us season one is a near-perfect adaptation, featuring a great cast, chemistry, and a mix of scares, emotions, and action.

The first live-action movie adapted from a video game to hit theaters was Super Mario Bros., though it bore little resemblance to the games. Despite this, it has garnered a devoted fanbase over time, earning the label of “so bad it’s good.” Not every game has ventured into this realm, with many being largely unremarkable. For quite some time, forgettable adaptations were the norm, but now there’s a growing number of genuinely good movies and TV shows based on video games.

Among various productions that span both shows and movies, numerous adaptations have emerged from horror game series or franchises, with the recent additions being “Until Dawn” and “The Last of Us” Season 2, now streaming on Max. In honor of these impressive accomplishments, let’s evaluate and rank the top horror game adaptations, considering their overall quality.

7. Dead Space: Downfall

Setting Up The First Game

The animated film “Dead Space: Downfall” serves as a prelude to the initial game, depicting the tragic demise of the spaceship USG Ishimura, which is where the events in the first Dead Space transpire. Upon discovering a legendary artifact, the crew gradually loses control, transforming into grotesque creatures known as Necromorphs.

Although it’s an animated film, it doesn’t shy from graphic violence. Fans of Dead Space will find the USG Ishimura in a grim state, given their familiarity with the opening scene of the first game. Thus, while there isn’t much surprise regarding the ship’s fate, Downfall delivers abundant backstory and intriguing details about the Marker and the Ishimura. Notably, a prequel game titled Dead Space: Extraction also delves into these events.

6. Resident Evil (2002)

Hello Alice

Back in 2002, I found myself utterly captivated by the “Resident Evil” film that hit theaters. It sparked a series of movies that generally performed well at the box office, yet somehow fell short when compared to the game’s intricate lore. The latest reboot, “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City,” leans more towards the original storyline, but for me, the 2002 movie remains the undisputed champion.

Looking back, viewers can now admire the film’s emphasis on action sequences and its distinct portrayal of the Umbrella Corporation’s secret underground facility. The laser grid, a feature that was later incorporated into the game “Resident Evil 4,” is particularly noteworthy. It’s important to remember that “Resident Evil” offers unadulterated fun, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that.

5. Silent Hill (2006)

That Pyramid Head Scene

As a movie buff with a passion for horror, I’d say that the 2006 adaptation of Silent Hill did an exceptional job from my perspective as a fan of the game. It seemed to capture the essence of the first game, laying the groundwork for a chilling journey through the haunted town of Silent Hill. With its dense fog and decaying architecture, it was like stepping right into the game itself.

In the film, there are nods to other games as well, such as the emergence of Pyramid Head, whose scene in the movie is incredibly shocking, though it may not align perfectly with the game’s lore. I won’t give away the specifics here, but the movie is worth watching for that scene alone. However, fans should be cautious about the sequel titled “Silent Hill: Revelation”. The first film remains a thrilling and spooky adventure, but the sequel might not live up to expectations.

4. Until Dawn (2025)

Survive The Night

The recent movie adaption of “Until Dawn” departs significantly from its original video game source, offering an entirely new narrative experience. Without revealing too much for first-time viewers, the film’s storyline revolves around a time loop scenario, which is quite distinct from the plot of the game it shares a title with.

Five youths find themselves confined within a building, experiencing fresh terrors each night that result in their untimely deaths, only to wake up the following day in a new scenario reminiscent of classic horror films. The cinematic presentation of gore is exceptionally gruesome and intense, yet at times it manages to be humorous, similar to another recent horror production titled “The Monkey“. Stripped from its interactive aspect, the movie stands as an enjoyable horror flick with intriguing plot twists.

3. Werewolves Within

A Supernatural Whodunit

Werewolves Within derives its idea from a classic board game concept, but more specifically, it’s an adaptation of a Ubisoft VR game. In this interactive tale, players engage in questioning one another to unmask the hidden werewolf among them, making for an intriguing whodunit storyline.

A fresh postman arrives at a secluded Vermont town, which has been experiencing mysterious deaths. Despite some eerie moments, the killings are portrayed humorously, and the cast manages to make the comedy work effectively. Unfortunately, the film “Werewolves Within” came out during the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting theater showings and reducing its visibility, making it somewhat overlooked and a hidden gem.

2. Castlevania (2017)

Dracula’s Curse

The Netflix animated series titled “Castlevania” stands out as one of the most successful video game adaptations in history. Spanning four seasons, this show primarily drew inspiration from “Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse,” as well as various spinoffs. The monstrous characters, unique animation style, and intense gore are quite unsettling, but this adds to the series’ high-quality action scenes.

The show significantly enhances the Belmont lore given its initial sparse nature, originating from an NES game. Notably, the second series, “Castlevania: Nocturne”, draws heavily on “Castlevania: Rondo of Blood” and offers equally engaging content; however, it remains unfinished at this point in time.

1. The Last Of Us

An Almost One-To-One Recreation

Among all the fantastic films and series out there, none quite compares to my experience with The Last of Us. With just a handful of tweaks, Season 1 practically brings the first game to life, and it’s nothing short of remarkable that they managed to achieve this level of authenticity in just nine episodes.

The ensemble in “The Last of Us” is outstanding, particularly the interaction between Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey portraying Joel and Ellie. If their on-screen chemistry faltered, it could have spoiled the entire series. The show doesn’t hold back, offering a blend of terror, heartbreak, thrilling action, and even some witty humor. Those who watch just the first season will likely be content, but since we’re speaking now, Season 2 is currently being aired, and it seems to be keeping up that strong pace.

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2025-05-05 18:36