Nintendo is finally releasing a new console after eight years of the Nintendo Switch era. The Nintendo Switch 2 will be a more powerful piece of hardware that will make games from iconic franchises like Mario and Pokémon look and run better than ever before.
Whether you were lucky enough to secure a preorder or are waiting for the Switch 2 to be more widely available, there are plenty of movies that will help tide you over until you get your hands on those new Joy-Con. While there are only a couple of official Nintendo film adaptations—though more are on the way, including Super Mario World and The Legend Of Zelda—here are some video game movies that are perfect for Nintendo fans.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
The first thing most people think of when they hear Nintendo is Mario, so why not get hyped for Nintendo Switch 2 by watching The Super Mario Bros. Movie? The film is a love letter to the iconic plumber and the colorful Mushroom Kingdom that’s filled to the brim with Easter eggs and references that are sure to delight fans of Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day). In addition to the brothers, the movie includes a tough-as-nails take on Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), a Bowser (Jack Black) who’s both charming and menacing, and a trip to the world of Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen). The Super Mario Bros. Movie is simply a good, family-friendly time, making it the perfect way to prepare for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)
If you’ve ever wished you could step into the world of Pokémon, Detective Pikachu is perfect for you. Set in Ryme City, a place where humans and Pokémon co-exist, the movie follows Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) as he searches for the truth surrounding his father’s mysterious accident with the help of a Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds) that only he can understand. Pokémon fans will love seeing some of their favorites reimagined as more realistic creatures existing in a live-action world. There are even some deep cut ‘mon from across the first seven Generations, showing the level of detail and care that was put into bringing the Pokémon world to life.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is probably the most Nintendo movie to not actually be associated with Nintendo itself. The film is full of references to the company’s products and IP, from one character playing a Nintendo DS to a Legend of Zelda sound effect playing at the beginning. Scott (Michael Cera) even plays in a band called Sex Bob-Omb, a reference to the explosive enemies from the Mario games. Beyond these references, though, Scott Pilgrim is a cult hit, particularly among gaming and comic fans for the way it celebrates and pays homage to all kinds of nerdy media.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Sonic the Hedgehog has been around for over 30 years, but the blue blur’s big screen debut ushered in a new era for Sega’s iconic mascot. In Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), Sonic (Ben Schwartz) ends up on Earth and must team up with a human man (James Marsden) to avoid the evil Doctor Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Since release, the film has received two sequels and a spinoff series titled Knuckles, with a fourth film on the way. Considering that Sonic X Shadow Generations is one of the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch titles, now is a great time for Sonic fans waiting for the new console to revisit the film.
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
It might not be based off of an actual gaming IP, but Wreck-It Ralph is easily one of the best video game movies ever made. Set in an arcade, the movie tells the story of Ralph (John C. Reilly), a retro game villain who wants more from life than being literally thrown in the trash. It plays a lot on nostalgia, with appearances from real video game characters like Bowser, Ryu and Ken from Street Fighter, and Q*bert. Top that off with a genuinely sweet story about belonging and acceptance, and you have a beautiful movie that celebrates the entire gaming medium.
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005)
Cloud and Sephiroth may not be Nintendo characters, but they are no stranger to Nintendo consoles. Not only is Final Fantasy VII available on Switch, but FFVII Remake Intergrade is getting a Nintendo Switch 2 release. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children is a sequel set two years after the original game that follows Cloud Strife as he tries to rescue children with a mysterious disease from a trio trying to resurrect Sephiroth. The movie is divisive among FFVII fans, with many criticizing its confusing plot but praising its visuals, which are still pretty impressive 20 years later. If you haven’t played or finished Final Fantasy VII, you’ll probably want to skip it, but Advent Children is worth a watch for anyone who wants to see more from Cloud, Tifa, and the rest of the gang.
Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998)
Outside of Detective Pikachu, there are nearly two dozen more Pokémon movies based on the anime series. These vary greatly in quality, but if you really can’t go wrong with Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back. The premise is standard sci-fi fare: The evil Team Rocket has developed cloning technology to create a super soldier, only for Mewtwo (Masachika Ichimura/Jay Goede) to turn on them. From there, it’s up to Ash (Rica Matsumoto/Veronica Taylor), Pikachu (Ikue Ōtani), and friends to take on the powerful Psychic Pokémon. What really sets Mewtwo Strikes Back apart is the mature way it approaches the ethical questions surrounding the plot. Mewtwo’s speech at the end remains one of the franchise’s most moving moments, and the filmmakers definitely deserve praise for trusting their young audience to understand and be intrigued by the movie’s themes.
Free Guy (2021)
Free Guy may not be based on an existing video game, but it does take place in a fictional one. It stars Ryan Reynolds as Guy, a bank teller who learns he’s a non-player character (NPC) in a massively multiplayer online game (MMO) called Free City and works with a player (Jodie Comer) to prove the game was made using her stolen source code. Like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Wreck-It Ralph, Free Guy is a movie made with gamers and gaming culture in mind, with Free City sharing a lot in common with games like Grand Theft Auto and Fortnite.
Super Mario Bros. (1993)
Hear us out. Sure, this movie is the reason we’re only just now starting to get movies based on Nintendo IP. And, sure, it was a critical and commercial failure that frequently appears on lists of the worst movies ever made. But Super Mario Bros. (1993) is, for better or worse, an important piece of the Mario and Nintendo story—after all, we’re still talking about it 30 years later. Whether you want to embrace its status as a cult film or dissect what went wrong, the first Super Mario Bros. movie is worth at least one attempted watch for fans of the franchise.
Where To Watch Video Game Movies For Nintendo Fans Online
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