Films and video games have influenced each other for decades, with successful characters and franchises regularly making the jump from one medium to another. Some video games have inspired major Hollywood films, while iconic movies have gone on to become games in their own right.
But which came first for some of the most recognisable names? Here are five classic titles and whether they originally appeared on the big screen or in a video game.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Video Game First
Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the clearest examples of a video game character becoming a successful film star. The speedy blue hedgehog first appeared in the 1991 Sega Mega Drive game Sonic the Hedgehog.
Created as a rival to Nintendo’s Mario, Sonic quickly became one of the biggest characters in gaming. His popularity eventually expanded beyond games, with television series, comics, merchandise and, much later, a Hollywood film franchise.
The first Sonic the Hedgehog movie was released in 2020, almost three decades after the character’s video game debut. It was followed by further films, bringing Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and other familiar characters to a new audience.
Die Hard – Film First
Before it became the inspiration for video games, Die Hard was a hugely successful action film starring Bruce Willis as John McClane.
Released in 1988, the film follows McClane as he attempts to rescue hostages after terrorists take control of Nakatomi Plaza. Its success led to several sequels and established McClane as one of the most recognisable action heroes in cinema.
Video games based on Die Hard followed, beginning with Die Hard for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990. The franchise would subsequently appear in several different gaming formats, including arcade games and first-person shooters.
So, in this case, the film was definitely first.
Super Mario Bros. – Video Game First
Few video game characters are more famous than Mario, so it may come as no surprise that the game came first.
Super Mario Bros. was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985 and helped establish Mario as Nintendo’s flagship character. Players guided Mario through the Mushroom Kingdom, jumping across platforms and defeating enemies on the way to rescue Princess Toadstool.
The name later appeared on the big screen in the 1993 film Super Mario Bros., starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo. While the film developed a cult following over the years, it was very different from the colourful platform games that inspired it.
Mario eventually returned to cinema in a much more successful form with The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023.
Street Fighter – Video Game First
The Street Fighter name is strongly associated with both fighting games and films, but its origins are firmly in the world of video games.
Capcom released the original Street Fighter arcade game in 1987. However, it was Street Fighter II, released in 1991, that transformed the series into a global phenomenon. Its roster of characters, including Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li and Guile, became instantly recognisable to gamers.
The franchise made the move to Hollywood in 1994 with Street Fighter, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile. Although the film received a mixed reception, it remains a memorable example of a hugely popular video game being adapted for cinema.
Furthermore, if you’re familiar with playing slots online, you may also be aware that Street Fighter was made into a popular real money slot game.
GoldenEye – Film First
The final entry on our list reverses the pattern once again. GoldenEye was originally a James Bond film before becoming one of the most celebrated first-person shooters in video game history.
GoldenEye, released in 1995, marked Pierce Brosnan’s first appearance as James Bond. The film introduced audiences to a new era of 007 adventures and became a major success.
Two years later, GoldenEye 007 arrived on the Nintendo 64. Developed by Rare, the game allowed players to take control of Bond across missions inspired by the film. Its multiplayer mode became particularly famous and helped make the Nintendo 64 title a landmark in console gaming.
So, although many people now immediately associate GoldenEye with split-screen multiplayer, the film actually came first.
Film Or Video Game First?
These five titles demonstrate just how closely the worlds of film and gaming have become connected. Sonic The Hedgehog, Super Mario Bros. and Street Fighter all began as video games before making their way to the cinema, while Die Hard and GoldenEye started life as films.
It is also interesting to see how differently each franchise has made the transition between mediums. Some adaptations have become classics in their own right, while others have developed their own dedicated fanbases long after their original films or games were released.
