How Super Mario Bros. and 10 other video game to film adaptations fared at the box office

(The Angry Birds, Image credit: Facebook)

The original Super Mario Bros. Movie released in 1993 only made $38.9M at the box office.  

Following delays, the new Super Mario Bros. Movie was finally released in 2023 and has already beaten out its predecessor in terms of ratings. The movie currently has an IMDb rating of 7.6/10 and a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 55%, compared to the original movie’s ratings of 4.1/10 and 29%.  

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) was expected to generate a lot at the box office not only because it is the first animated movie from the Mario franchise, but also due to the star-studded line-up that includes Chris Pratt, Anya-Taylor Joy and a cameo from the original Mario voice actor, Charles Martinet. In its five-day run, from April 5-9, it generated $375.6M worldwide, exceeding expectations. 

(Image credit: Google)

Online games site, Unscrambled Words, investigated movies based on popular video game franchises and what they generated at the box office.  Here’s what that site came up with:

Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)  

There are numerous spin-offs from the Pokémon series; however, this is the first live-action movie released from the series. 

Detective Pikachu was released in 2019 and starred Ryan Reyolds and Justice Smith. It grossed $433.2M at the box office worldwide and scored favorable reviews. It received 68% and 6.5/10 on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, respectively.  

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Uncharted (2021)  

Uncharted is the first movie released based on the video game franchise of the same name. 

It has a strong casting, featuring Tom Holland, Sophia Ali, and Mark Wahlberg. It generated $401.7M in all territories and ratings of 41% (Rotten Tomatoes) and 6.3/10 (IMDb). 

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Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)  

This is the first movie from the Prince of Persia video game series. The game was released in 1989 and was adapted into a movie 21 years later, in 2010.  The movie features Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Kingsley and Gemma Arterton. At the time, the movie was the highest-grossing video game adaptation until it was surpassed by Warcraft in 2016.  

It generated $336.4M at the box office worldwide and a rating of 37% (Rotten Tomatoes) and 6.5/10 (IMDb). 
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Sonic The Hedgehog (2020)  

Sonic The Hedgehog is Sega’s most popular video game, and there were prior efforts to adapt the video game into a movie in 1993. However, it was until 2020 that a movie would be released based on the series.  The movie was delayed from November 2019 to February 2020 due to heavy criticism online regarding Sonic’s initial design and look. 

The movie features Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz and James Marsden and generated $306.8M at the box office worldwide. It received ratings of 64% (Rotten Tomatoes) and 6.5/10 (IMDb).  

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Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)  

This action-adventure movie is based on the Tomb Raider game series and stars Angelina Jolie. The movie was released in 2001 and received negative reviews; however, Jolie’s character portrayal was praised.  The movie generated $274.7M at the box office worldwide and received ratings of 20% (Rotten Tomatoes) and 5.7/10 (IMDb).  

Another Lara Croft movie was released in 2018 with a different cast.

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Assassins Creed (2016)  

Assassins Creed is a dystopian action movie released in 2016 and is the first movie from the game series. The series also features serval live-action and animated short movies.   

The movie received $240.7M at the box office worldwide and ratings of 19% (Rotten Tomatoes) and 5.6/10 (IMDb).

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Need for Speed (2014)   

Need for Speed is an action-thriller movie based on the racing video game of the same name. Critics praised the lead star, Aaron Paul’s character portrayal; however, the movie was criticized for its nonsensical story.   

The movie generated $203.3M at the box office worldwide but scored poorly on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, receiving 22% and 6.4/10, respectively. 

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Pokémon: The First Movie (1998)  

Pokémon: The First Movie is a Japanese anime fantasy movie and the first theatrical release from the Pokémon franchise. The English-language adaptation was released a year later by Warner Bros. Studios. 

The movie generated $172.7M at the box office worldwide and has a rating of 16% on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.2% on IMDb. 

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The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)  

The Angry Birds Movie 2 is the sequel to the first movie released in 2016. The movie features a heavy line-up and additional voice actors compared to the first movie, with Nicki Minaj, Leslie Jones, JoJo Siwa and Awkwafina joining the cast.  

The movie generated $152.8M at the box office worldwide and received positive reviews from critics. It also received 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.4 on IMDb.  

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Super Mario Bros. (1993)   

This was the first-ever live-action movie from the Mario franchise and the first-ever feature-length movie based on a video game.  

The movie only generated $38.9M at the box office worldwide and has an exceptionally low rating of 29% on Rotten Tomatoes and 4.1/10 on IMDb.  

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A spokesperson from Unscrambled Words commented on these findings:

“It is interesting to see video game movie adaptations receive low reviews from critics but generate a lot at the box office. Critics may not enjoy these movies, but video game franchises have many fans and supporters who enjoy the adaptations. The Mario franchise appeals to numerous generations considering the first-ever game was released in 1981. The new movie will likely be a success regardless of reviews from critics due to nostalgia viewers will feel.” 

The trailer for the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie has garnered more than 21 million views to date.  Check it out below.

(Source: Unscrambled Words)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram