Video games and Hollywood—two worlds that don’t always play well together. Some adaptations manage to capture the magic of the source material, but most… well, let’s just say they make gamers want to press “reset.” From bizarre storylines to cringe-worthy acting, these movies remind us why not every pixel should hit the big screen.

Here are the top 10 worst video game movie adaptations that left fans shaking their controllers.

1. Alone in the Dark (2005)

Starring Christian Slater, Alone in the Dark promised a survival horror thrill ride. What it delivered was a confusing plot, terrible special effects, and some of the most awkward dialogue in movie history. Even hardcore fans of the game couldn’t survive this cinematic disaster.

Fun fact: This movie is so infamous that it often appears in “worst video game movies ever” lists worldwide.

2. BloodRayne (2005)

Directed by Uwe Boll, a man notorious for adapting video games poorly, BloodRayne follows the half-vampire heroine on a blood-soaked adventure. Critics panned it for over-the-top gore and wooden acting. At times, it feels like the plot was an afterthought, and the game’s dark atmosphere never made it to the screen.

Pro tip: The game has better graphics than this movie’s CGI.

3. Super Mario Bros. (1993)

The granddaddy of video game adaptation failures. Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo starred as Mario and Luigi in a dystopian, barely-recognizable Mushroom Kingdom. Fans were baffled, and critics were merciless. Yet, somehow, it still has a cult following—mostly for the sheer “what did I just watch?” factor.

4. House of the Dead (2003)

Another Uwe Boll classic. Based on the popular arcade shooter, the movie tries to blend zombies with teenage drama. Spoiler alert: it fails spectacularly. Overacting, cheesy dialogue, and a plot thinner than a health bar make this a must-watch… if you’re in the mood for unintentional comedy.

5. Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)

While the Resident Evil series has seen some better movies, Retribution is often criticized for overcomplicating the plot and overusing 3D gimmicks. Fans of the original games might enjoy seeing Alice in action, but don’t expect the strategic horror or tension from the survival horror franchise.

6. Hitman (2007)

Timothy Olyphant takes on Agent 47, the bald assassin with a barcode on his head. Despite some stylish action sequences, the movie loses the stealthy charm of the game. Fans were disappointed by the lack of clever assassination mechanics and a story that felt like filler.

7. Tekken (2010)

A live-action version of Bandai Namco’s classic fighting game. The movie tries to deliver intense martial arts battles but falters with a confusing story and CGI that doesn’t land. Die-hard Tekken fans will cringe at character changes, and casual viewers might get lost in the jumbled plot.

8. Postal (2007)

Based on the controversial PC shooter, Postal is over-the-top, violent, and chaotic—but in the worst way. Critics slammed its tasteless humor and sloppy storytelling. Unlike the game, which was ironically satirical, the movie just feels like an unfunny mess.

9. Max Payne (2008)

Mark Wahlberg as a noir detective? Not quite what fans wanted. The movie tried to capture the game’s dark, gritty vibe but ended up stripping away the moody storytelling that made the game memorable. Slow pacing, weak dialogue, and a ton of missed opportunities leave Max Payne as one of the worst game-to-movie translations.

10. Assassin’s Creed (2016)

With Michael Fassbender leading the cast, this adaptation had massive potential. Unfortunately, the film gets bogged down in convoluted time-travel plotlines and underdeveloped characters. Fans of the game might enjoy the action sequences, but it’s far from the intricate political storytelling of the source material.

Fun fact: Even with a $125 million budget, critics were unimpressed, making it one of the priciest “bad” adaptations ever.

Wrapping Up

Video game movies don’t always fail, but these ten prove that translating your favorite games to the big screen is harder than defeating a final boss. Whether it’s confusing plots, poor acting, or ignoring the essence of the original game, these films are proof that not every joystick journey belongs in Hollywood.

Which video game adaptation do you think was the worst? Or maybe you secretly love one of these disasters? Drop a comment below—we promise not to judge (too much).