Top 10 Horror Video Game Adaptations

Dead Reset (Directed by Stewart Sparke and Paul Butler, 2026) 

Yorkshire's own creatives behind the indie contemporary classics 'The Book of Monsters' (2018) and 'How To Kill Monsters' (2023) are back with 'Dead Reset', a full motion video game (FMV), with the film being composed of all the footage from their video game of the same name. Dead Reset follows Cole (Daniel Thrace), a surgeon, who repeatedly wakes up after suffering from an increasingly gory 'dream'. Stuck in prophetic time-loops of tentacled creatures, blood and bones, he must dive deep into the cyclical ordeal in a desperate and valiant attempt to survive. The distinctive formula of Dead Reset being simultaneously a video game and a feature film is not a quick novelty, but instead an immersive, elaborate and entirely unforgettable ode to not only Sparke and Butler's talents, but to the unique role that the horror genre creates in the world of intersectional media. 

Until Dawn (Directed by David F. Sandberg, 2025) 

Developed by Supermassive Games is the fan-favourite 'Until Dawn' (2015), a survival horror game that weaponises its butterfly effect mode, which sees users' decisions determine the narrative outcome to create an interactive story that spawned an entire video game franchise. Aspects such as homing in on characterisation to drive the plot, depthful graphics and a pace that is equally fast yet methodical are what made Until Dawn the success that it is. As with any beloved media, fans were both chomping at the bit and curiously nervous to see the story become woven into a cinematic feature. David F. Sandberg's take follows the storyline of a group of friends stuck in a time loop where death restarts the night. Although the film deviates from the game, Until Dawn is creative, surprisingly funny and a neat, imaginative take on a cherished series. 

Iron Lung (Directed by Mark Fischbach, 2026) 

Famed online personality Mark Fischbach, aka 'Markiplier', known for his walkthrough/play videos of horror games, debuted his directorial talents this year with the adaptation of David Szymanski's simulation horror game 'Iron Lung' (2022). The game, which takes place in a darkened submarine surging through an ocean of blood, is brought to life with immense viscerality by Fishbach, taking focus on the affective nature of the game. The situation alone is nightmare fuel, with the enclosed, tight, and far-from-oxygen setting being intensely claustrophobia-inducing, which is made all the more abhorrent by the inclusion of a humongous beast with teeth that resemble a millipede's hundreds of grizzly legs. Iron Lung runs heavy on its atmosphere, making it a ghastly feature not to be underestimated for those who favour an ambience-led story. 

Silent Hill (Directed by Christophe Gans, 2006)

One of horror's most enduring video game series, 'Silent Hill' (1999) has gone on to sell almost 18 million copies since its inception. Similarly, is its 2006 adaptation by Christophe Gans, which remains one of the most retrospectively admired video game adaptations and a true cult classic since its release twenty years ago. Throughout, unimaginably horrific entities and violent humanoids brutally puncture the haunting landscape of smoky skies, dull monotony and a still quietness that shrouds the fictional town of Silent Hill. The storyline takes the essence of the video games and creates a chilling portrayal of psychological trauma and relentless bonds. The roots of purity between its source material and the adaptation can perhaps be explained by Gans' evident admiration of the games, with the filmmaker striving to gain the rights to adapt for years before finally pleading with its creators about how important the series was to him, promising to keep the profound integrity of the material intact - a pledge that can be attested to by viewers. 

The Resident Evil film series (2002-onwards) 

Based on the iconic Japanese video game series of the same name, the 'Resident Evil' universe has blossomed into eight films, beginning with the 2002 classic following Milla Jovovich as the kickass Alice and a crew of Umbrella Corporation commandos who battle for survival amongst the deadly T-Virus. This virus, which has become synonymous with all things horrific, gruesome and terrifying, has been at the heart of every Resident Evil film, with each feature delivering an incredibly fast-paced, high-octane energy that increasingly ramps up the pressure and stakes like a domino effect across every film. The video game series, which likewise explores the rapid and explosive T-virus, is due to be traversed once again in Zach Cregger's upcoming and extremely highly anticipated take on the smash-hit zombie universe, proving that the hunger for horror video game adaptations is truly thriving. 

House of the Dead (Directed by Uwe Boll, 2003) 

Controversial director Uwe Boll's take on one of Sega's most quintessential video game franchises, 'House of the Dead'(1997), was quite the critically panned adaptation upon its release, with the film making some rather 'choice decisions'. Some of which include the continual use of slow-motion, interesting dialogue and unconventional character decisions filling up the runtime. However, in recent years, a select but nevertheless loud group of B-movie fans have emerged to defend the film, opting to view its unorthodox storytelling as a comedic, unhinged and wild horror that encapsulates the sporadicness of early 2000s genre cinema. Under this lens, the goal is not to have your wits scared out of you, but rather to watch with a bingo card of horror clichés in hand, ready to tick off as the film unravels into complete chaos. House of the Dead may not be everyone's go-to, but it is absolutely guaranteed to be an unforgettable watch. 

Exit 8 (Directed by Genki Kawamura, 2025) 

This Japanese psychological horror comes from the Kotake Create 2023 game of the same name, which chronicles a man who becomes trapped in a seemingly endless subway corridor. To escape this uncanny nightmare, he must reach the impossible 'Exit 8'. The plot of Exit 8 is a mystifying enigma: a puzzle within a labyrinth, encased in a Russian doll of complex webs. Essentially, like its video game counterpart, it is entirely complex and moreish, drawing the viewer into its eerie, genuinely unsettling conundrums. How all of this mystique comes to life is through its simplicity. There are no elaborate and overdone jump scares; in fact, the director actually cut a blaring, jump-worthy scene as he believed the sheer emotional unravelling of it all was more intense than any wild scare. Exit 8's dread is disturbing, moving and above all, it lingers. 

Werewolves Within (Directed by Josh Ruben, 2021) 

Josh Ruben, who kickstarted his feature film career with the brilliant 'Scare Me' (2020), delivers the cinematic adaptation of Red Storm Entertainment's 'Werewolves Within' (2016), a game that dramatises the age-old match of werewolf, where players identify and eliminate who is the 'werewolf' in the group. Like a game of Clue, or the more contemporary Among Us or Traitors, Werewolves Within meddles with deception and deceit to create a story of pure whodunit mystery. As such, the film follows a small town in Vermont who become trapped in a blistering snowstorm, leading to a group of people beginning to suspect that a werewolf lies amidst. With a generous comedic undertone that knows exactly when to cut the tension, Werewolves Within is an underrated must-see that deserves a spot on any watchlist.

The Last of Us (2023-onwards) 

After a mold fungal infection sweeps across the world, Joel and Ellie travel across what's left of the US, escaping the zombie-esque Cordyceps creatures, whilst battling the cruel consequences of societal collapse. The 2013 game of the same name stormed the gaming world almost immediately, with every possible facet gaining immense praise. Everything from the visuals and style through to gameplay and control all captured the horror world. It was no secret that the highly anticipated adaptation had ginormous boots to fill. However, just like its source material, 'The Last of Us' was met with incredible adoration from every sector. Horror is rarely, and extremely unfortunately, critically acclaimed past the usual suspects, but the series surpassed the typical realms and swept up awards at every major ceremony. 

The Mortuary Assistant (Directed by Jeremiah Kipp, 2026) 

Players of Brian Clarke's 'The Mortuary Assistant' (2022) can attest to the host of frightful antics that occur throughout the first-person game as users must control Rebecca Owens, a mortuary assistant who goes about performing embalming procedures and cremations, all whilst avoiding pesky demons who lie in wait. The game has garnered a reputation for being a serious nerve-shaker as players undergo countless frights and bumps in the night, which is a fan-favourite feature that director Jeremiah Kipp ensured to keep in the bloodline throughout his recent adaptation of the game. The Mortuary Assistant is a quintessential film for horror movie nights and Halloween marathons, as the audience is led through a disturbing array of gross gore, dark corners and some seriously spooky creatures whose sole premise is to inject severe 'heebie-jeebies' into each and every viewer. 

Click here for the latest reviews, news and genre content!