Top 9 Movies About Gaming and Gamers

Playing games and watching movies are my two crucial hobbies. Therefore, I write a lot about gaming and films. These hobbies are also part of my job.

In this post, I introduce nine movies covering topics related to gaming, from competitive gaming and arcade culture to virtual reality and video game-based adventures.

There are, of course, many more movies about gamers or gaming, but these are my favorite ones. I will cover others in future stories.

1 — Ready Player One (2018)

Ready Player One is a science fiction film released in 2018, directed by Steven Spielberg. The film is set in a dystopian future where the majority of humanity escapes from the bleak reality of their world into a virtual one known as the OASIS.

The creator of the OASIS, James Halliday, has hidden an Easter egg within the virtual world that will give control of the OASIS to whoever finds it. The protagonist, Wade Watts, joins the hunt for the egg, known as the “Hunt,” and becomes embroiled in a competition with corporations and other players who also seek to find it.

Throughout the film, Wade navigates the virtual world and faces various challenges inspired by pop culture references from the 1980s, such as classic arcade games, movies, and music. He also forms relationships and alliances with fellow players, including a mysterious and skilled gunter named Art3mis.

The film’s central themes revolve around the power of nostalgia, the danger of escapism, and the importance of connection and community. It features stunning visuals, action sequences, and a nostalgic soundtrack. Ready Player One was well received by audiences and was praised for its references to classic pop culture and its commentary on the role of technology in our lives.

It is a thrilling, exciting, and nostalgic adventure that will appeal to fans of science fiction, video games, and pop culture.

I really enjoyed this movie since it is the virtual reality future I’m really hoping for. Because of this, I have rewatched it with various people multiple times.

2 — Jumanji (1995)

Jumanji is a fantasy adventure film first released in 1995 and later followed by several sequels.

The film centers around a mysterious and enchanted board game that has the power to bring the dangers of the jungle into the real world. When two children, Peter and Judy, find the game and start playing it, they quickly realize that they are not just playing a game but are actually being drawn into a dangerous jungle world. Along with two other players, they must navigate the jungle and complete the game to escape and return to the real world.

The characters face various challenges and obstacles throughout the film, including dangerous animals, quicksand, and flash floods. They also discover that the game has a life of its own and that the consequences of their actions in the jungle world have real-life consequences.

The film features a talented cast of actors, including Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, and Bradley Pierce, and has become a classic of family-friendly adventure films.

Its themes revolve around the power of imagination, teamwork, and the dangers of taking things for granted. The film was well-received by audiences and critics and has since become a beloved classic of the fantasy adventure genre.

Jumanji has spawned several sequels and a popular video game and continues to be a beloved and iconic franchise. Whether you’re a fan of adventure films, fantasy, or just looking for a fun and exciting film to watch, Jumanji is definitely worth checking out.

The first Jumanji movie was a massive part of my childhood. Although I’m not the biggest fan of the later Jumanji movies, I still appreciate all of them, even though the first one is my favorite.

3 — Pixels (2015)

Pixels is a 2015 science fiction comedy film directed by Chris Columbus and stars Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage, and Josh Gad. The film takes place in the present day and follows a group of old-school arcade gamers recruited by the President of the United States to help defeat a hostile alien invasion.

The aliens have taken the form of classic video game characters, such as Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Space Invaders, and are using them to attack Earth. The only gamers familiar with these games team up to defeat the aliens and save the world.

The film was inspired by the real-life phenomenon of video game championship tournaments in the 1980s and paid homage to classic arcade games of the era. The film was generally well-received for its humor and special effects but was criticized for its story, characters, and dialogue. Despite mixed reviews, “Pixels” was a commercial success, grossing over $244 million worldwide.

Pixels is a fun and nostalgic film that is sure to bring back memories for those who grew up playing arcade games. With its impressive special effects and tongue-in-cheek humor, it’s a lighthearted take on the classic science fiction genre that is sure to entertain.

At the time of its release, I thought Pixels was one of the coolest throwback movies I had ever seen. It could not have been funnier with actors such as Adam Sandler, Kevin James, and Peter Dinklage.

4 — Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

Wreck-It Ralph is a 2012 computer-animated comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and directed by Rich Moore. The film follows the story of Ralph, the villain of an arcade game called “Fix-It Felix Jr.”, who is tired of being seen as a bad guy and wants to be a hero. He sets out on a journey through various arcade games to prove his worth, but his actions have unexpected consequences.

Throughout the film, Ralph travels through various games, including a sugar-coated racing game, a first-person shooter, and a candy-themed kart racing game. Along the way, he meets various characters, including Vanellope von Schweetz, a glitch in a candy-themed racing game, and Felix, the titular hero of his own game.

Wreck-It Ralph received widespread critical acclaim for its innovative storytelling, humor, and animation. The film was praised for its imaginative world-building, capturing the spirit of classic video games, and its lovable characters. It was also a commercial success, grossing over $471 million worldwide, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Wreck-It Ralph is a fun and entertaining film that appeals to both children and adults. With its imaginative world-building, charming characters, and humor, it’s a film that will surely be a classic for years to come.

I’m not too sure why but this movie was one of my favorites in my teenage years. Although I did appreciate the sequel, Ralph Break the Internet, the first movie was always my favorite.

5 — WarGames (1983)

WarGames is a 1983 science fiction film directed by John Badham and stars Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy, and John Wood. The film is set in the early 1980s and follows the story of a young computer hacker named David Lightman who accidentally gains access to a top-secret military supercomputer while playing games on it.

The supercomputer, known as WOPR (War Operation Plan Response), is designed to simulate nuclear war scenarios and is believed to be only a game by David. However, when he unwittingly triggers a full-scale nuclear missile launch, he must team up with a computer expert and a government agent to stop the impending global disaster.

WarGames was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $70 million worldwide. The film was praised for its groundbreaking special effects, innovative storytelling, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of technology.

It was also noted for its accurate portrayal of computer culture and technology at the time, which helped to popularize the concept of hacking and the emerging field of computer security.

WarGames is a classic science fiction film that explores the relationship between technology and humanity. With its compelling storyline, memorable characters, and innovative special effects, it remains a timeless classic and a must-watch for fans of the genre.

This was a movie shown to me by my father since he thought I would enjoy it, and I very much did. Although some previously listed movies were higher on my list, WarGames was still a great watch.

6 — Tron (1982)

Tron is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Steven Lisberger and stars Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, and David Warner. The film is set in a computer-generated world and tells the story of Kevin Flynn, a computer programmer who is transported into the digital world of a mainframe computer.

Once inside the computer world, Flynn becomes part of a revolution led by Tron, a computer program designed to fight against the evil Master Control Program (MCP) and its attempts to control all of the computer systems in the world. Flynn, Tron, and their allies must navigate the dangerous and often deadly digital world, facing obstacles and battling against the MCP’s forces to defeat the evil program and restore freedom to the digital world.

Tron was a groundbreaking film in its use of computer-generated imagery and special effects, and its depiction of a virtual world was innovative and ahead of its time. The film received mixed reviews upon its release but has since become a cult classic and has inspired numerous sequels and spin-off media.

Tron is a classic science fiction film that explores the relationship between technology and humanity. With its imaginative world-building, memorable characters, and groundbreaking special effects, it remains a timeless classic and a must-watch for fans of the genre.

I first found out about the Tron movies after the release of the second movie; Tron: Legacy. After watching the first movie and rewatching the sequel, I appreciated it a lot more.

7 — The Matrix (1999)

The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction action film directed by the Wachowskis and stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Carrie-Anne Moss. The film is set in a dystopian future and follows the story of Thomas Anderson, a computer programmer who is revealed to be the prophesied “One”, a savior who is destined to end the war between humans and machines.

The film’s central premise is that reality, as perceived by most humans, is actually a simulated world created by sentient machines to pacify and subdue the human population while they serve as an energy source. When Thomas discovers the truth, he joins a rebellion against the machines, led by Morpheus and Trinity, to free humanity from the simulated world and defeat the machines.

The Matrix was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $460 million worldwide and receiving four Academy Award nominations. The film was praised for its innovative special effects, action scenes, and philosophical themes and has since become one of the defining science fiction films of the 1990s.

The Matrix is a classic science fiction film that explores the relationship between technology and humanity. With its memorable characters, groundbreaking special effects, and thought-provoking themes, it remains a timeless classic and a must-watch for fans of the genre.

I’m not sure why, but I didn't get around to watching the Matrix movies until recent years. But once I decided to give it a watch, I blitzed through the three original movies very quickly.

8 — Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

Sonic the Hedgehog is a 2020 action-adventure film based on the popular video game franchise of the same name. Directed by Jeff Fowler, the film stars Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog, James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, and Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo Robotnik.

The film follows Sonic, a blue anthropomorphic hedgehog from another world who possesses incredible speed, as he tries to escape from Dr. Robotnik, a mad scientist who wants to capture him to harness his powers. Along the way, Sonic teams up with Tom Wachowski, a small-town police officer, and together they embark on a journey to stop Dr. Robotnik and save the world.

Sonic the Hedgehog was a commercial success, grossing over $300 million worldwide, and received positive reviews from both fans and critics. The film was praised for its humor, action scenes, faithfulness to the source material, and casting choices, particularly the performances of Schwartz and Carrey.

Sonic the Hedgehog is a fun and exciting action-adventure film that brings the beloved video game franchise to the big screen. With its memorable characters, exciting action, and humorous moments, it is a must-watch for fans of the Sonic series and anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly film.

Sonic the Hedgehog was one of my favorite games on my Nintendo DS and one of my favorite animated TV shows, which is why I was really excited when I found out they were making a live-action movie about it. I was initially questioning the choice of actor for Doctor Eggman, but after seeing Jim Carrey’s performance on the big screen, I was sure they made the right decision.

9 — Need for Speed (2014)

Need for Speed is a 2014 action film directed by Scott Waugh and stars Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, and Imogen Poots. The film is based on the popular video game franchise of the same name and follows the story of Tobey Marshall, a former street racer who is released from prison after serving time for a crime he did not commit.

With a need for revenge against the real culprit, Tobey joins a cross-country race called the DeLeon, in which he hopes to not only settle the score but also clear his name. Along the way, Tobey faces challenges and obstacles, including dangerous opponents and the authorities who are determined to stop him, as he races towards the finish line and his ultimate goal.

Need for Speed was a commercial success, grossing over $203 million worldwide, and received mixed reviews from critics. The film was praised for its thrilling action scenes and attention to detail in capturing the spirit of the video game franchise but was criticized for its weak storyline and characterization.

Need for Speed is an action-packed film that appeals to fans of the video game franchise and anyone looking for a high-speed, adrenaline-fueled ride. With its impressive car chases and thrilling races, the film delivers on its promise of providing high-octane thrills and excitement.

I have been playing Need for Speed games ever since the release of Need for Speed: Most Wanted, so you can understand my excitement when I found out about the production of a live-action Need for Speed movie. Although I wouldn't say it was as good as earlier Fast and Furious movies, I still enjoyed and appreciated it.

Final Words and Takeaways

In this post, I highlighted nine movies related to gaming. Each movie is described briefly, with my personal opinion about the movie and its reception included.

The films all have different themes, such as the power of nostalgia, the importance of teamwork and imagination, and the dangers of taking things for granted. However, they are all linked by their connection to the world of gaming, with references to classic arcade games and virtual reality.

Overall, I provided a snapshot of nine movies that will appeal to fans of science fiction, fantasy, and video games.

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I will continue to share my thoughts and insights on a wide range of topics in the world of entertainment and technology.

With that being said, thank you for reading my post, and have a good one.

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