Top 10 Movies That Shaped Video Games

These movies sowed the seeds that gamers reap. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10 movies that most influenced video games.

For this list, we’re looking at the films whose style, content, characters, or story had the biggest impact on video games.

A cornerstone of the 90s action scene, “The Rock” follows an unlikely pair of heroes sent to infiltrate Alcatraz, when it’s taken over by ex-military domestic terrorists. The film’s depiction of the military has been influential on a number of modern shooter games, particularly “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,” which even recreated some of the film’s major moments - including the famous shower room scene. Given “Modern Warfare 2”’s impact on FPS games, it’s fair to say that “The Rock” has had a significant effect on the genre overall.

This 80s cult hit from John Carpenter sees a truck driver in a tank top and his martial artist friend facing off with a series of bad guys in Little China. Plenty of fighting in the streets ensues, with the villains displaying a range of mystical powers. The street combat, outlandish enemies, and set up, clearly influenced many beat ‘em up games, like the “Double Dragon” or “Streets of Rage” series. In addition, the appearance of the “Three Storms”, and “Lightning” in particular, should look familiar to anyone who’s played “Mortal Kombat,” as the series basically copied him when they created Raiden.

Set during the Second World War, “Saving Private Ryan” follows a group of American soldiers as they fight their way through France to retrieve the movie’s titular character. The film’s unflinching aesthetic and commitment to authenticity was a big influence on modern shooter games, particularly those set during World War II, such as the “Call of Duty” and “Medal of Honor” franchises. Its influence can also be seen however in games set in more fantastic environments, such as “Gears of War.” Steven Spielberg’s masterful depiction of the gritty, visceral reality of war made for a shocking, emotional film that inspired new visual standards in gaming.

Ridley Scott’s sci-fi masterpiece had as much of an impact on video games as it did on cinema. Based on Philip K. Dick's novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep”, it follows an android hunter as he tracks fugitive “replicants” through a bleak yet beautiful future Los Angeles. Its neo-noir, industrial aesthetic, and brooding protagonist played by Harrison Ford, have become staples of the genre, an influence that can be seen clearly in cyberpunk games like “Perfect Dark” and the “Deus Ex” series. “Blade Runner” showed us things people wouldn’t believe, and inspired others to do the same.

The second film in the “Rambo” franchise sees John Rambo tasked with rescuing POWs from the Vietnamese jungle. A plethora of video games take their cues from “First Blood Part II,” since its setting and macho, one-man-army of a lead make for an excellent action game template. Oh, and let’s not forget the ridiculously high body count. Arcade style shooter titles like the “Contra” and “Metal Slug” series emulate these aspects of the film well, to the point where we have to wonder if Rambo used the Konami Code himself.

George Lucas and Steven Spielberg’s pulp adventure films have influenced popular culture in countless ways. The titular character’s treasure hunting escapades inspired game franchises like “Tomb Raider” and “Uncharted,” while the traps and puzzles found in the ancient locales that Dr. Jones explores were echoed in “The Legend of Zelda.” Even the hero’s signature whip gave rise to the tool’s popularity as a video game weapon, such as Belmont’s whip in the “Castlevania” franchise. The name “Indiana Jones” is synonymous with adventure, so it’s no surprise that his films inspired so many adventure games.

Would you look at that – another John Carpenter movie! This film by the director follows a group of scientists in Antarctica battling a grotesque, shapeshifting alien monster. The title creature’s gruesome, body-altering properties have been imitated by more than a few video game monsters over the years, from the metamorphic zombies of the “Resident Evil” series, to the parasitic aliens from the “Halo” franchise, the Flood. “The Thing” inspired body horror in audiences, and a new body of horrors crafted by video game developers as well.

This Bruce Lee classic sees the actor fighting in a martial arts tournament on a private island, taking on a diverse array of combatants with different skillsets. If that premise sounds familiar, then you’ve probably played . . . well, pretty much any given fighting game. Franchises like “Street Fighter,” “Mortal Kombat,” and “Tekken” all owe thanks to “Enter the Dragon” for providing their essential framework; although they also generally involve much more outlandish contestants. Several of them do feature heroic characters based on Bruce Lee though, such as Liu Kang from “Mortal Kombat.”

Yep. A bit obvious, but you’d be hard pressed to find a medium since “A New Hope’s” release that hasn’t been influenced by “Star Wars.” The epic space opera has left its mark on virtually every space-related video game out there, particularly those involving dog fights, like “Star Fox” or “Wing Commander.” The franchise from a galaxy far, far away has also led to the rise of laser sword imagery, such as in “No More Heroes.” It’s almost impossible to overstate the impact of “Star Wars” on pop culture, and its effects on video games were definitely for the best.

Besides being a superb sci-fi action film, “Aliens” was also very influential on video gaming. The terrifying xenomorphs helped inspire a bevy of enemies in games, while the movie’s female protagonist influenced female leads like SamusAran in the “Metroid” series. But perhaps its greatest contribution to video games was the fact that it helped popularize the idea of space marines. If not for this film, would we have gotten the likes of “Doom” or “Halo?” Either way, we probably won’t be saying “game over man” to the effects of “Aliens” on gaming any time soon.