Top 10 Movie Scenes That Feel Like Video Games
#10: Exosuit Fight
“District 9” (2009) Wikus goes through a major transformation throughout “District 9,” before getting into an exosuit to save his alien friend. The mercenaries have lots of weaponry, but they’re no match for the suit’s surprises that could appear in a “Titanfall” or “Halo.” Taking aim at soldiers’ heads, the hero can turn people’s body parts into pulp. Fans of more mature shooter games will probably be right at home with the extra blood and guts. Turning Johannesburg into a warzone, this sequence pushes the movie’s effects and makeup work to the next level. It’s not for the faint of heart, but this entertaining scene could easily be a fun level in a sci-fi adventure.
#9: The Hallway
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“Oldboy” (2003) If you’ve ever played a beat ‘em up game, you’ll probably be right at home watching this sequence. The hero of “Oldboy” ends up in a hallway full of henchmen. Armed with a hammer, the lone wolf fights his way through them as best as he can. The majority of the battle happens in what almost looks like a side-scrolling adventure. You can practically feel each hit in this intense confrontation. Like a true video-game protagonist, this man manages to walk away from a brawl that could’ve easily taken down any normal person. This violent scene may or may not be realistic, but it’s definitely something you would find in a fighting game.
#8: Dragging the Vault
“Fast Five” (2011) There’s so much of the “Fast” franchise that could be a video game. For the climax of the fifth entry, the team drags a bank vault through the streets. Their super-charged cars transport the heavy load through the streets like it’s nothing. Along the way, they destroy cop cars and buildings in the process. It’s exactly the kind of impossible stunts that you want to pull off in a racing game. Swerving their Dodge Chargers through tight turns, Brian and Dom drive like it’s no big deal. You’ll find the same kind of electric pace of a “Need for Speed” race. After watching this play out, gamers will want to break out their racing wheels to chase the energy of “Fast Five.”
#7: Gipsy Danger vs. Otachi
“Pacific Rim” (2013) If Guillermo del Toro understands one thing above all in this film, it’s that audiences love to watch giant robots fight monsters. This could never be more true than in this oversized brawl. As the mech uses a massive ship as a sword, the sequence blends fantasy with a perfect setup for a video game. This is the kind of gameplay people want when they think of huge, cinematic fights with lots of destruction. Del Toro also makes every punch count, leveling a few buildings along the way. It all works on such a visceral level that you wish the movie had a better video-game adaptation to go along with it.
#6: Epic Car Finale
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“Hooper” (1978) In a tribute to stunt men, “Hooper” has one of the most spectacular finales of its kind. The end combines a car chase, demolition derby, and massive jump all in one. Burt Reynolds’ Sonny Hooper and his fellow stunt man narrowly avoid explosions and collisions that feel welcome in the “Burnout” series. Capturing authentic moves before the days of CGI, the grittiness of this sequence still resonates with its crazy maneuvers. They even drive underneath a falling smokestack before using their rocket-powered car to leap a massive distance. It’s such a rush of vehicular mayhem that could easily be turned into a game.
#5: Tank Chase
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“GoldenEye” (1995) When James Bond needs to chase down the enemy in Russia, he chooses a less-than-conventional vehicle. Bond then hops in a tank to bust through walls in Saint Petersburg. With its over-the-top destruction, this sequence feels tailor-made for a video game. The secret agent doesn’t need any special training to speed down streets and even drift. Trading realism for entertainment value, this scene feels like “Call of Duty” and a racing game had a baby. It also makes sense that this later inspired a level in “GoldenEye 007” for the N64. No structure is too strong for this overpowered machine in a scene that you want to control yourself.
#4: Overhead Gun Fight
“John Wick: Chapter 4” (2023) Throughout this action series, the hero finds himself in all kinds of entertaining battles. This one from “John Wick 4” feels especially like an action/adventure you can play. Filmed from above, the action scene has a distinct angle that you don’t usually find in films. Wick fires off different guns as loads of henchmen come after him. Just like in video games, one character can rattle off loads of bullets without running into trouble. Add in the flash of special rounds and you have even more of a visual flair. Keanu Reeves’ ability to pull this off and escape close-quarters fighting makes him seem straight out of your favorite shooter.
#3: Scott vs. Gideon
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“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” (2010) Based on the graphic novel series, the adaptation of “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” also takes a few cues from video games. This finale encapsulates that concept better than any other scene. Facing off against Gideon, the hero works his way through henchmen and draws swords with his rival. The effects make every movement pop as if the action comes directly out of an arcade cabinet. Flashing numbers only hammer home the fighting game influences, along with the elaborate choreography. Director Edgar Wright ramps up the action with a mix of exciting camerawork, stylish editing, and an unbeatable energy. All of these ingredients turn this acrobatic battle into a 16-bit fever dream.
#2: Hospital Sequence
“Hard Boiled” (1992) John Woo’s cinematic gunfights have an operatic quality under his bold direction. “Hard Boiled” might be his crowning achievement, featuring a sequence at a hospital that’s still a high water mark for film shootouts. It also captures the wild spectacle and slow-motion that have come to be staples of video game action. There’s even a game called “Stranglehold” that directly references Woo’s catalog, serving as a sequel to this story. Chow Yun-fat’s Tequila narrowly avoids danger at every turn as gangsters try to fire back at him. The director immerses audiences even further by using longer takes, making it feel like a rollercoaster ride that you never want to stop.
#1: First-Person Shootout
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“Doom” (2005) It might not be high-art, but this sci-fi movie does have a few entertaining sequences. Chief among them is the climactic moment where John Grimm shoots through villains in first-person. This calls to mind the original game-of-the-same-name, fighting through spooky corridors as monsters pop out of every corner. Pushing the entertainment value to another level, this is a rare sight to see outside of more recent films like “Hardcore Henry.” It’s a clever way to give a nod to the series while fully immersing the viewer in the danger. You might not remember the rest of this movie, but this standout part packs a serious punch that will satisfy gamers.