Horror movies never fail to give a thrilling experience, but nothing compares to the way video games can completely immerse you. But what if you could combine the two to produce one of the most horrifying and immersive experiences ever? Well, that's exactly what these developers try to answer.
And with the recent announcement of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Evil Dead games, we thought that this might be a great time to take a look at the 15 Best Video Games Based on Movies.
15. Ju-On: The Grudge (NINTENDO WII)
Ju-On: The Grudge is a game adaptation of one of the best Japanese horror films ever made. It follows several characters as they wander through dilapidated locations while being hunted by the vengeful curse of Sadako and Toshio.
The Ju-On films are filled with genuinely terrifying moments that will leave you scarred for life. Although this video game adaptation may not be as scary as the films, it is nonetheless a fun game that forces you to explore numerous unsettlingly dark places like a real haunted house ride, hence the name. However, instead of laughably jump scares seen in those rides, Ju-On has a few scary scenes that will make you shiver.
It may not be a perfect game but Ju-On fans will definitely appreciate its existence.
14. Saw: The Video Game (PC, PS3, XBOX 360)
In this adaptation of the Saw franchise, we take control of Detective David Tapp of the first Saw film as he wakens in an abandoned asylum and is forced to play a series of deadly traps set by the infamous Jigsaw.
The Saw movie franchise has an interesting concept that might have worked well as a video game, although this adaptation may not be what we all expected, it does have a few redeeming qualities. It has many elements from the films, including creative death traps, mind-boggling puzzles, and even Tobin Bell himself as Jigsaw. Whilst it may not live up to the movies, what's here is still a thrilling gaming experience.
Sure, Saw The Video Game has its problems but it is still a promising game that every fan of the movies should try at least once.
13. Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick (PS2, XBOX)
Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick is a sequel to the 2000’s game Hail to the King. It sees you take on the role of Ash Williams as he battles deadites to save the town of Dearborn.
Fans of the Evil Dead films will surely get a kick out of this one due to Bruce Campbell lending his voice for his character Ash in the game, and its insane over-the-top writing that will put you in different time periods fighting a lot of deadites.
The game undeniably has its flaws but if you can get past it then you’ve got a great game that’s just waiting to be played.
12. The Mummy: Demastered (PC, PS4, XBOX ONE, NINTENDO SWITCH, AMAZON LUNA)
In Mummy: Demastered, you take on the role of a Prodigium soldier under the command of Dr. Henry Jekyll, as you try to defeat the forces of Princess Ahmanet.
The Mummy film featuring Tom Cruise may not be a good film, but this video game adaptation at least delivers an exhilarating and action-packed experience. Boasting a gorgeous art style and gameplay reminiscent of a Metroidvania game.
Its death mechanic, in which your character is taken over by the Mummy's enthrallment after death and you must kill it to reclaim your weapons, makes for a challenging but rewarding game. Although it has more thrills than chills, it is still a fun and exciting game that’s deserving of your time.
11. Alien: Resurrection (PS1)
Alien: Resurrection takes place after the events of Alien 3 and you play as Lt. Ellen Ripley as she seeks to escape the xenomorph-infested research spacecraft USM Auriga along with a crew of mercenaries.
The Alien: Resurrection film is widely considered to be the worst of the original lineup, but this video game adaption manages to surpass its source material by creating an amospheric shooter that revolutionized the FPS controls.
Despite being an old game, its graphics hold up surprisingly well, and even if it is still blocky, it actually made the game more effective. Its environments are dark and gloomy, making each encounter with the xenomorphs an exhilarating scare.
10. Blair Witch (PC, PS4, XBOX ONE, NINTENDO SWITCH, OCULUS QUEST, AMAZON LUNA)
Blair Witch puts you in the shoes of Ellis Lynch, a former cop who found himself lost in the same woods where the first film took place while searching for a missing boy.
The original Blair Witch film was a terrific found footage, however, its sequels never manage to live up to it, thus fans of the original were skeptical when this game was announced, but what we got definitely lived up to the expectations of many.
This game will take you on one horrifying journey that’s full of tension due to a fantastic audio work and an unnerving setting that makes you feel like you're being watched at all times. But you won't be too stressed because you'll have the company of Bullet, an adorable dog that will accompany you on your terrifying journey.
9. Blair Witch Vol 1: Rustin Parr
In this video game adaptation, we follow Elspeth "Doc" Holliday in the town of Burkittsville in 1941 as she investigates a strange event that may be connected to the Blair Witch legend.
Long before 2019’s Blair Witch, there was another video game based on the terrifying movie. Instead of a found footage game however, Blair Witch Vol. 1 is a classic-style survival horror game that aims to expand the lore of the movies.
It not only has an eerie atmosphere but it also features a rather strange crossover with another game called Nocture. It even spawned two sequels, both of which are equally good and expands the lore further. If you're looking for an underappreciated survival horror game, then this is a must-play.
8. Aliens Versus Predator Classic 2000 (PC, MAC OS)
In this classic shooter game, you’ll get to play as three different species: the Aliens, Predator, and Humans as they battle it out until only one remain.
If you love the two franchises then make sure to try out Aliens Versus Predator. It’s a game that will please both franchises’ fans thanks to the three scenarios that it provides that offer each with its own set of mechanics and atmospheres.
Despite its age, it's still chaotic and scary at times, making it a worthwhile game to play.
7. Sweet Home (SNES/FAMILY COMPUTER)
Sweet Home revolves around a movie crew exploring an old mansion in search of valuable frescos, only to uncover its many sinister secrets.
Of course, who could forget about Sweet Home? Well, actually almost everyone, but that’s why I’m here to remind you of its existence. It’s the game that served as a foundation for the survival horror classic Resident Evil.
It’s a game that mixes RPG with horror elements to craft a unique romp that's both creepy and delightful. The game may not be as effective as it once was, but it is still an entertaining game that every horror fan should play.
6. Evil Dead: Regeneration (PC, PS2, XBOX)
Evil Dead: Regeneration puts you back into the shoes of Ash Williams in an alternate reality where the events of Army of Darkness never happened and he was instead put in an asylum.
Despite being released just a few years after A Fistful of Boomstick, this game instead took a soft-reboot approach which means it's unrelated to that game. However, it does still include a few improvements that make it a better game overall.
The combat is much more polished, the humor is better and you’re even partnered up with the charming deadite Sam who brings variety to the gameplay. If you only had a chance of playing one Evil Dead game then make sure it's this one.
5. Silent Hill: Homecoming (PS3, XBOX 360, PC)
In Silent Hill: Homecoming, you assume the role of Alex Shepherd, a soldier who returns home after serving in the military to find a mysterious fog covering the entire street of his hometown, and his younger brother missing.
The Silent Hill franchise has proven to be an effective psychological horror game, and the first movie adaptation did a good job of capturing the game's atmosphere. Homecoming then took a few inspirations from the film to create an underrated Silent Hill experience.
The visually shocking other world transition, creative enemies, and haunting music were all translated from movies to games perfectly. And although the combat can be a bit of a mixed bag, what’s here is still a successful romp to the disturbing town of Silent Hill.
4. Ghostbusters: The Video Game (PC, PS2, PS3, PS4, PSP, XBOX 360, XBOX ONE, NINTENDO WII, NINTENDO SWITCH)
Taking place two years after the events of Ghostbusters II, you take control of a new recruit to the team as they eliminate ghosts that haunt New York City.
Although Ghostbusters was never really horror to begin with, it does have a few qualities to it that make it endearing for horror fans. This video game adaptation reunites the beloved cast for another adventure full of spooky ghosts waiting to be captured.
From the locations to the characters and to the story, everything has been meticulously adapted, resulting in a fun and rewarding game for both gamers and movie fans alike.
3. Friday the 13th: The Game (PC, PS4, XBOX ONE, NINTENDO SWITCH)
Friday the 13th: The Game is an asymmetric survival horror game set in the Camp Crystal Lake where you can play as the frightened counselors and even Jason Voorhees himself.
Although its servers may not be as active as it once were, Friday the 13th The Game remains one of the best adaptations due to it successfully adapting what made the film franchise great in the first place. Its numerous maps and characters based on previous film entries made for an immersive experience that will make you feel like an actual counselor at then infamous camp.
It was also satisfying to be able to control the iconic Jason Voorhees in all of his incarnations over the years and slaughter each of the counselors in a creative yet brutal fashion. If you want to play this fun game then make sure to try out the Switch version while you still can as it still has tons of player bases on that platform.
2. The Thing (PS2, PC, XBOX)
The Thing is a survival horror game that follows the story of Captain J.F. Blake, a member of a U.S. Special Forces team sent to the outpost where the film took place to investigate what happened to the research team.
The movie The Thing is one of the best horror films of all time, and this video game adaptation which also acts as a sequel manages to do the movie justice. It has a rather advanced trust system, as well as some genuinely scary moments that will make you jump out of your seat.
The game also answers some of the underlying questions left from the movie, making it a great game to experience after watching the fantastic movie.
1. Alien: Isolation (PC, PS3, PS4, XBOX 360, XBOX ONE, LINUX, NINTENDO SWITCH, ANDROID, IOS)
Experience the terrifying game in the eyes of Amanda Ripley as she investigates her mother Ellen Ripley's disappearance while being pursued by a xenomorph on a ship.
As soon as you finally get to control the game, it will impress you with its amazing visuals that perfectly capture the tone and set of the film that it’s based on. And with a name like Isolation, expect to be truly terrified even if you are alone exploring its gorgeous yet dark environments.
When you’re finally introduced to the xenomorph, that’s when the game finally never lets you go.
It’s clear that the game is made by fans who understand the source material, and as a result, they were able to craft such an intense and exhilarating game that will leave a permanent impression.
