Top 5 Horror Movies That Got Their Own Video Games

Here are 5 horror movies that got their own video game!

Horror movies are unquestionably popular, but success at the box office doesn’t always relate to success on the game consoles. That isn’t to say that there aren’t still some great games out there. Here are five of the best horror movies that have received their own video game treatments to get you ready for October.

The Evil Dead

“Evil Dead” is one of the most beloved cult comedy-horror movies. It’s also one of the most self aware and downright goofy horror flicks you’ll ever see, especially by the time you get to “Army of Darkness.” Fittingly enough, there are a number of games based around the original trilogy that manage to incorporate the same level of action, humor, and gallons of blood that are the hallmark of the franchise. “Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick” the original Xbox and PS2 back in 2003 is a full on action game where you play as Ash and fight off wave after wave of ravenous Deadites. The game is particularly notable for bringing in the talents of Bruce Campbell himself to voice the main character and, while a bit simplistic, is still a blast to play. The series also went the casual gaming route with a tower-defense game released for iOS and Android based around “Army of Darkness.” Come get some.

Friday the 13th

“Friday the 13th” is one of the most recognizable slasher franchises of all time, but it’s never really gotten its due when it comes to digital entertainment. There was a 1990 game for the original NES that was, in its own way, far ahead of its time, but Jason has never gotten the game he really deserves. At least, not until now. “Friday the 13th: The Game” might be the most faithful adaptation of a horror series we’ve ever seen. The game is a multiplayer title where one player takes on the role of Jason while the rest play as campers attempting to evade the unstoppable serial killer around Camp Crystal Lake. The trailers for the game contain the series’ trademark gore with stomach-churning kill sequences that are sure to satisfy even the most die-hard Voorhees devotees. The game is scheduled for an October 2016 release for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Psycho

“Psycho” is one of the greatest and most influential horror films of all time. The movie was initially based on the 1959 novel by Robert Bloch and has gone on to spawn a full multi-media franchise that has included movies, television shows, comics, and even video games. In fact, there are three different sequels, a remake and a successful current TV series all based on Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 masterpiece. The horror classic is also one of many movie and pop-culture franchises with their own online games. Developers somehow managed to adapt the creepy charm of the Bates Motel to a slot reel where players hope to be more fortunate than the motel’s guests. The TV show, “Bates Motel,” has been a critical darling and is set to end following the conclusion of its upcoming fifth season.

Alien

The science-fiction setting and incredible design of “Alien” has long lent itself to video games, but few of those titles have managed to encapsulate the tense atmosphere and nail-biting suspense of the original film. That is, until the release of “Alien: Isolation” in 2014. The survival horror game gave players the sensation of actually being hunted by the xenomorph while exploring a claustrophobic, abandoned space-station. The game was released to critical acclaim and was even teased with a VR demo. There’s a push to have the game re-released for the VR systems currently on the market, which would be incredible in advance of the latest film in the franchise, “Alien: Covenant.”

The Thing

John Carpenter’s 1982 film, “The Thing,” is another beloved classic among horror fans. The special effects are some of the most amazing and grotesque ever committed to film with SFX legends Rob Bottin and Stan Winston contributing some of their best work to the project. What most people forget though was that the movie spawned a terrific video game thirty years later. 2002’s “The Thing” was a third-person horror shooter that was a surprise critical and commercial hit that sadly seems forgotten by most fans today. The game incorporated influences from Resident Evil, Silent Hill and Max Payne to create a wholly innovative game that doesn’t receive anywhere near the credit it deserves. If you can find a copy of this forgotten gem, it’s totally worth revisiting Antarctica. Just leave the dog at home.

Can you name some horror films that have been adapted to video games?