Positive, Moral Content in SONIC 2 Marks A New Path For Video Game Adaptations
By Movieguide® Staff
Since 1993’s box-office bomb SUPER MARIO BROS, the list of movies adapted from popular video game franchises has grown exponentially.
Despite their commonality, with one to three produced each year since studios first explored the genre, they rarely result in a box office success.
According to Box Office Mojo, only 10 video game adaptations have broken the $30 million mark in their debut weekend. Two of which, UNCHARTED and SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2, were released just this year, in 2022.
After around 50 attempts, recent adaptations show that studios finally figured out a working formula: make family-friendly movies with moral content.
In a recent article titled “How ‘Sonic,’ ‘Uncharted’ Show Film Studios Cracked Video Games’ Code,” Variety’s Kaare Eriksen notes that a strong IP (Intellectual Property) is not enough for a box office hit; it must tap into the largest audience.
“A quick look at the box office leaderboard for game adaptations unsurprisingly shows that films based off video game IP generally do better when the IP itself is kid friendly and not beholden to dense plots,” Eriksen noted.
Eriksen continued: “Excluding ‘Resident Evil: Afterlife,’ the 10 highest-grossing adaptations of video games are all rated PG-13 or under and were greenlit from games not particularly known for excessively bloody or gory violence at the time of each film’s release (that is no longer the case with Square Enix’s newer “Tomb Raider” games).”
According to Movieguide®’s reviews of the top 10 highest-grossing video game adaptations, the negative or immoral content has decreased significantly since 1999.
Movieguide® warned audiences of excessive immoral content in LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER (2001), POKÉMAN: THE FIRST MOVIE (1999) and MORTAL KOMBAT (1995). However, the list’s newer movies like SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (2020), THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE (2016), and POKÉMAN DETECTIVE PIKACHU (2019) all championed positive, uplifting worldview and content elements.
A portion of Movieguide®’s review of SONIC THE HEDGEHOG reads:
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG is a delightful, funny, heartwarming family comedy. It has a strong moral worldview that stresses friendship, protecting others and going out on a limb to help a friend in need. The movie also extols the commitment of marriage and overcoming the chaos of each season with your spouse. The humanist, narcissistic villain relies heavily on science and massages his own ego by thinking his technological achievements make him better than everyone else. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG is a fun, uplifting family movie.
While UNCHARTED is based on a game with more adult content, it strayed away from excessive violence found in other adult video game adaptations.
A portion of Movieguide®’s review of UNCHARTED reads:
UNCHARTED tells an exciting, terrific story. This big adventure will thrill moviegoers looking for a fun time at the movie theater. Also, UNCHARTED has a Christian worldview. For example, Nate has a strong respect for human life, and his pro-life attitude eventually rubs off on Sully giving the movie a redemptive premise. Also, UNCHARTED has Christian references and symbols, including a positive statement of Christian faith in one scene. However, Nate and Sully must steal a golden artifact from a ruthless Spaniard at an auction house to find the gold, and the movie contains excessive foul language. MOVIEGUIDE® advises strong caution.
With a $72 million opening, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 proves that studios know that family-friendly content wins at the box office.
Despite its long road of failures, if studios continue to promote positive worldviews and values in their video game movies, it isn’t yet game over for the genre.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
