[Editor’s note: this list was originally published in October 2023. It has been updated to coincide with the release of “Fallout” on Amazon Prime Video.]
Every year, gamers ask themselves: Is this the year video game movies finally gain some respect? And the answer in the year 2024 might, actually, be yes.
No, none of the three video game adaptations that came out this year have been outright critical successes. Quite the opposite, actually: critics saw “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” as unremarkable and mediocre, “Gran Turismo” as a glorified advertisement, and “Five Nights as Freddy’s” as a complete borefest. But the movies all performed respectably at the box office, with “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” becoming the second-highest grossing film of the year, and “Five Nights at Freddy’s” smashing expectations to become one of the year’s biggest horror movies. These successes all affirm that, for better or worse, video game movies are hot right now. And with a new “Sonic the Hedgehog” film and “Borderlands” coming out this year,...
Every year, gamers ask themselves: Is this the year video game movies finally gain some respect? And the answer in the year 2024 might, actually, be yes.
No, none of the three video game adaptations that came out this year have been outright critical successes. Quite the opposite, actually: critics saw “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” as unremarkable and mediocre, “Gran Turismo” as a glorified advertisement, and “Five Nights as Freddy’s” as a complete borefest. But the movies all performed respectably at the box office, with “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” becoming the second-highest grossing film of the year, and “Five Nights at Freddy’s” smashing expectations to become one of the year’s biggest horror movies. These successes all affirm that, for better or worse, video game movies are hot right now. And with a new “Sonic the Hedgehog” film and “Borderlands” coming out this year,...
- 4/10/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
(Welcome to The Weekly Watchlist, a feature where we program everything you need to stream this week. In this edition: "Tetris" takes center stage, but we also offer up some video game behind-the-scenes documentaries and the best video game adaptation to stream.)
The Movie: "Tetris"
Where You Can Stream It: AppleTV+
The Pitch: People are getting tired of video game adaptations that faithfully recreate games and translate gameplay into TV or film. Forget "The Last of Us," or "Castlevania," it's time to give the people what they want — a movie about the acquisition of the handheld console rights to "Tetris." That's right, the movie "Tetris" finally tells the thrilling, unbelievable story of how one guy went to Russia right before the collapse of the Soviet Union and managed to untangle a web of indecipherable licensing agreements, leading to one of the biggest video games in history.
Why It's Essential Viewing: Somehow,...
The Movie: "Tetris"
Where You Can Stream It: AppleTV+
The Pitch: People are getting tired of video game adaptations that faithfully recreate games and translate gameplay into TV or film. Forget "The Last of Us," or "Castlevania," it's time to give the people what they want — a movie about the acquisition of the handheld console rights to "Tetris." That's right, the movie "Tetris" finally tells the thrilling, unbelievable story of how one guy went to Russia right before the collapse of the Soviet Union and managed to untangle a web of indecipherable licensing agreements, leading to one of the biggest video games in history.
Why It's Essential Viewing: Somehow,...
- 3/27/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
ABC Signature has found its new comedy chief.
The Disney-owned studio has tapped former Paramount+ and CBS All Access exec Danny Feldheim as SVP, Comedy Development.
It comes eight months after Melanie Frankel, who was the studio’s previous head of comedy, decided to step down.
Feldheim was mostly recently SVP at Paramount+ and its predecessor CBS All Access, where he helped launch the Original Series division of the streamer working across both comedy and drama series. He was responsible for shepherding the streamer’s series such as Star Trek spinoffs Picard, Discovery, Lower Decks and Strange New Worlds as well as The Good Fight, The Stand, Guilty Party and upcoming series The Offer and Players. He also started CBS All Access’ push into comedy with No Activity and its move into documentaries with Console Wars.
Prior to that he was at Fox, where he worked in both the drama and comedy departments,...
The Disney-owned studio has tapped former Paramount+ and CBS All Access exec Danny Feldheim as SVP, Comedy Development.
It comes eight months after Melanie Frankel, who was the studio’s previous head of comedy, decided to step down.
Feldheim was mostly recently SVP at Paramount+ and its predecessor CBS All Access, where he helped launch the Original Series division of the streamer working across both comedy and drama series. He was responsible for shepherding the streamer’s series such as Star Trek spinoffs Picard, Discovery, Lower Decks and Strange New Worlds as well as The Good Fight, The Stand, Guilty Party and upcoming series The Offer and Players. He also started CBS All Access’ push into comedy with No Activity and its move into documentaries with Console Wars.
Prior to that he was at Fox, where he worked in both the drama and comedy departments,...
- 3/30/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
GameStop: Rise of the Players, Adrien Brody passion project Clean, Cannes winner Compartment No. 9, Danish upscale restaurant drama A Taste of Hunger, Michel Franco’s Sundown and Woody Allen’s latest Rifkin’s Festival hit theatres crowded by Oscar contenders in a specialty market consumed by awards season (and as a major storm looks set to pummel the Northeast).
There’s more new content than the market has seen in many weeks, although these can be hard frames for indie distributors to find available screens. But it’s easier now than it will be after Feb. 8 and a crush of actual Oscar nominees, said one distribution executive. “We’re going in,...
There’s more new content than the market has seen in many weeks, although these can be hard frames for indie distributors to find available screens. But it’s easier now than it will be after Feb. 8 and a crush of actual Oscar nominees, said one distribution executive. “We’re going in,...
- 1/28/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
In 2021, retail investors pulled off something that was considered impossible: They challenged hedge funds over the value of a struggling stock and won -- big time. When a hedge fund targeted GameStop for short selling, a ragtag group of investors (following the lead of a small band of steadfast stock advocates) rallied behind the stock, gaining collective millions against billions in losses from the financial powers that be. In the new documentary "GameStop: Rise of the Players," the team behind "Console Wars" tells the story of this exercise in retail investor revenge. It's...
The post GameStop: Rise of the Players' Jonah Tulis and Blake Harris Talk About Taking on Hedge Funds with the Power of Friendship [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
The post GameStop: Rise of the Players' Jonah Tulis and Blake Harris Talk About Taking on Hedge Funds with the Power of Friendship [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
- 1/28/2022
- by Jeff Ewing
- Slash Film
As films become toys, video games become movies, and, yes, movies even become video games, the lines between forms of entertainment are continuously blurred. Throw in virtual reality and AI acting, and it’s just about a throw-your-hands-up kind of situation.
So it’s no wonder that as more and more video games are adapted to the big screen, we should probably take a look back to see what did — and didn’t — work. Per our IndieWire critics, it might make sense to leave “Warcraft” in the wake, and put the O.G. “Mortal Kombat” 1995 film in our rearview for good.
As we look towards Tom Holland’s Indiana Jones-esque “Uncharted” (featuring that iconic zero gravity sequence) in theaters February 18, the “Mortal Kombat” sequel, and Seth Rogen’s miniseries dissection of the Irl “Console Wars” between Sega and Nintendo, we revisit the top video game adaptations thus far. Remember...
So it’s no wonder that as more and more video games are adapted to the big screen, we should probably take a look back to see what did — and didn’t — work. Per our IndieWire critics, it might make sense to leave “Warcraft” in the wake, and put the O.G. “Mortal Kombat” 1995 film in our rearview for good.
As we look towards Tom Holland’s Indiana Jones-esque “Uncharted” (featuring that iconic zero gravity sequence) in theaters February 18, the “Mortal Kombat” sequel, and Seth Rogen’s miniseries dissection of the Irl “Console Wars” between Sega and Nintendo, we revisit the top video game adaptations thus far. Remember...
- 1/28/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
If you missed or didn't understand the GameStop short squeeze in January 2021, don't worry — there's a new documentary coming that will explain the whole wild story. From the creators of the documentary "Console Wars" comes "GameStop: Rise of the Players," which aims to shine a light on the people who realized they had power in numbers when they managed to overwhelm some of the toughest players on Wall Street. Even if your entire understanding of the stock market is like mine and comes from watching "The Wolf of Wall Street," you'll finally be able to explain this one to your...
The post Gamestop: Rise of the Players Trailer: Redditors Take On Wall Street and Win appeared first on /Film.
The post Gamestop: Rise of the Players Trailer: Redditors Take On Wall Street and Win appeared first on /Film.
- 1/20/2022
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
MTV Documentary Films’ Hogir Hirori’s “Sabaya” and Jessica Kingdon’s “Ascension” will make their streaming debut on Paramount Plus today as the MTV ramps up its awards campaign for both.
Both feature docs are in the running for an Oscar nomination and will become available to stream today at 10 a.m. Pt on the ViacomCBS service formerly known as CBS All Access. The service is the streaming home for other MTV projects, including the Emmy-award winning doc “76 Days,” about Wuhan, China, on lockdown just after the Covid-19 pandemic first hit.
Sheila Nevins, a documentary powerhouse that now heads MTV Documentary Films, executive produced “Sabaya” and “Ascension.” She acquired “Sabaya” after the doc’s Sundance Film Festival premiere in January and “Ascension” following the film’s Tribeca Film Festival premiere in June.
Hirori’s “Sabaya,” which won the Sundance directing award in the World Cinema Documentary category, is about...
Both feature docs are in the running for an Oscar nomination and will become available to stream today at 10 a.m. Pt on the ViacomCBS service formerly known as CBS All Access. The service is the streaming home for other MTV projects, including the Emmy-award winning doc “76 Days,” about Wuhan, China, on lockdown just after the Covid-19 pandemic first hit.
Sheila Nevins, a documentary powerhouse that now heads MTV Documentary Films, executive produced “Sabaya” and “Ascension.” She acquired “Sabaya” after the doc’s Sundance Film Festival premiere in January and “Ascension” following the film’s Tribeca Film Festival premiere in June.
Hirori’s “Sabaya,” which won the Sundance directing award in the World Cinema Documentary category, is about...
- 11/15/2021
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
If the Internet has taught us anything, it's that sometimes it's easier to speak our minds anonymously...and that Seth Rogen should probably watch Ted Lasso. After the 2021 Emmys kicked off celeb-filled rendition of the late Biz Markie's hit, "Just a Friend," Rogen took the stage to present the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. The only hitch? He mispronounced the winner's name, just a tad. Fans were quick to call out the Console Wars producer's mistake, citing they heard "Hannah Waddington" as opposed to Ted Lasso winner Hannah Waddingham. "Did Seth Rogen really call her 'Hannah...
- 9/20/2021
- E! Online
Hollywood is no stranger to competing projects that are each racing to be first or to be the definitive story, be it two Fyre Fest documentaries, two biopics about Steve Jobs or two different “Jungle Books.” But the number of projects surrounding GameStop and the investors on Reddit’s WallStreetBets is unheard of.
TheWrap counts a whopping eight different projects all announced within the last few weeks that aim to focus on how GameStop, labeled a “meme stock” by independent online traders, surged by 1500% in market share before the price came crashing down again. Those come in the form of narrative feature films as well as documentary features and series that all want to cash in on the story of the traders who really did manage to cash in.
It’s no wonder there’s so much interest; the story is a good one. Individual, amateur investors found an opportunity...
TheWrap counts a whopping eight different projects all announced within the last few weeks that aim to focus on how GameStop, labeled a “meme stock” by independent online traders, surged by 1500% in market share before the price came crashing down again. Those come in the form of narrative feature films as well as documentary features and series that all want to cash in on the story of the traders who really did manage to cash in.
It’s no wonder there’s so much interest; the story is a good one. Individual, amateur investors found an opportunity...
- 2/15/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Netflix is doubling down on its investment in the GameStop story with a new documentary series from Emmy and Oscar-winning filmmakers Dan Cogan and Liz Garbus.
The streamer has ordered and is in production on a series that tells the viral story of rebel retail traders taking on Wall Street – a David vs. Goliath tale for the ages.
The series will be produced by Story Syndicate, the company set up by Icarus producer Cogan and What Happened, Miss Simone? filmmaker Garbus. The pair will exec produce along with Jon Bardin, who is working on Nat Geo’s upcoming Fauci documentary and Julie Gaither, who worked on Netflix’s The Innocence Files.
The untitled doc series will look at the layers on intrigue within the story, from the supercharged power of digital communities to the gamification of trading and explore the latest seismic shift in how the world’s money behaves.
The streamer has ordered and is in production on a series that tells the viral story of rebel retail traders taking on Wall Street – a David vs. Goliath tale for the ages.
The series will be produced by Story Syndicate, the company set up by Icarus producer Cogan and What Happened, Miss Simone? filmmaker Garbus. The pair will exec produce along with Jon Bardin, who is working on Nat Geo’s upcoming Fauci documentary and Julie Gaither, who worked on Netflix’s The Innocence Files.
The untitled doc series will look at the layers on intrigue within the story, from the supercharged power of digital communities to the gamification of trading and explore the latest seismic shift in how the world’s money behaves.
- 2/11/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Propagate, the company behind Hulu’s Hillary, and the Wall Street Journal are the latest companies to explore the recent GameStop financial saga.
Ben Silverman and Howard T. Owens’ company is working with The Wall Street Journal Studios on feature doc This Is Not Financial Advice, directed by Hannah Olson, director of HBO’s Baby God.
It is the latest project in the works on the saga with feature docs from Xtr and directors Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci and Console Wars director Jonah Tulsi and Submarine as well as feature films from Netflix, Mark Boal and Noah Centineo, MGM and Ben Mezrich, RatPac and HBO, Jason Blum, Andrew Ross Sorkin and Len Amato.
The project will explore the recent stock market chaos that started with GameStop and has revealed a major power shift on Wall Street. It will examine the origins and inner workings of the digital and social...
Ben Silverman and Howard T. Owens’ company is working with The Wall Street Journal Studios on feature doc This Is Not Financial Advice, directed by Hannah Olson, director of HBO’s Baby God.
It is the latest project in the works on the saga with feature docs from Xtr and directors Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci and Console Wars director Jonah Tulsi and Submarine as well as feature films from Netflix, Mark Boal and Noah Centineo, MGM and Ben Mezrich, RatPac and HBO, Jason Blum, Andrew Ross Sorkin and Len Amato.
The project will explore the recent stock market chaos that started with GameStop and has revealed a major power shift on Wall Street. It will examine the origins and inner workings of the digital and social...
- 2/8/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Hollywood is continuing to go crazy for GameStop with HBO the latest to get involved in a project based on the stock saga.
The WarnerMedia network is developing a scripted feature film with Jason Blum, Andrew Ross Sorkin and Len Amato.
Their logline: How a populist uprising of social media day traders beat Wall Street at their own game turning the stock market upside down and shaking the financial world to its core.
It follows two feature films in development – Netflix making a film with Mark Boal and Noah Centineo and MGM adapting Ben Mezrich’s The Antisocial Network. Jamie Rogozinski, the founder of Reddit’s WallStreetBets, has sold his life story to RatPac Entertainment, while Xtr, the company behind You Cannot Kill David Arquette , has teamed up with directors Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci on a doc project and Console Wars director Jonah Tulis has started production on another feature documentary with Submarine.
The WarnerMedia network is developing a scripted feature film with Jason Blum, Andrew Ross Sorkin and Len Amato.
Their logline: How a populist uprising of social media day traders beat Wall Street at their own game turning the stock market upside down and shaking the financial world to its core.
It follows two feature films in development – Netflix making a film with Mark Boal and Noah Centineo and MGM adapting Ben Mezrich’s The Antisocial Network. Jamie Rogozinski, the founder of Reddit’s WallStreetBets, has sold his life story to RatPac Entertainment, while Xtr, the company behind You Cannot Kill David Arquette , has teamed up with directors Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci on a doc project and Console Wars director Jonah Tulis has started production on another feature documentary with Submarine.
- 2/5/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Even with the GameStop-Wall Street saga still unfolding, Console Wars director Jonah Tulis has started production on a feature documentary chronicling the Reddit-fueled frenzy that saw retail traders team send select stocks like GameStop and AMC Entertainment soaring. It’s the latest project to emerge about the fast-moving, stock-market-shaking phenomenon.
The feature-length film, which is fully financed and already in production, will feature many of the key players who believed in the value of GameStop and leveraged the power of social media platforms and online trading to spark the short-squeeze surge that continues to disrupt the markets and roil institutional investors. They include a Midwestern father of two whose contrarian research helped propel the big bet against Wall Street, and an amateur investor who put her life savings on the line riding GameStop stock to the moon.
Dan Braun, Ben Braun, Matt Burke, and Josh Braun of Submarine...
The feature-length film, which is fully financed and already in production, will feature many of the key players who believed in the value of GameStop and leveraged the power of social media platforms and online trading to spark the short-squeeze surge that continues to disrupt the markets and roil institutional investors. They include a Midwestern father of two whose contrarian research helped propel the big bet against Wall Street, and an amateur investor who put her life savings on the line riding GameStop stock to the moon.
Dan Braun, Ben Braun, Matt Burke, and Josh Braun of Submarine...
- 2/5/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
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