The Continual Intertwining of the Movie and Video Game Sectors

Over the last few years, there has been a gap in the modern-day market for successful adaptations of popular movie and video game titles. Early releases in the arcade gaming genre, such as Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, had a broader impact on popular culture than perhaps many first imagined, with movies being produced in 1994 and 1995 respectively.

As a result, we’re going to look at some of the most popular entertainment releases that have found success crossing over into other industries. Additionally, we’ll also explore how that relationship has been integral to ever-changing contemporary pop culture.

Jumanji

Back in December 1995, Jumanji, the fantasy comedy film that was directed by Joe Johnson, first hit the market. Following the success of the original film, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle became the highest-grossing Sony-owned film after being released in 2017. The film itself featured celebrity figures including Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan, and resulted in a video game adaptation being planned for November 2019.

The game itself is being developed by Funsolve LTD and will be made available across various platforms including Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. In addition to the movie seeking to expand into the mainstream video game market, the title has also become central to the online casino sector. The Jumanji game, which is available at NetBet, offers a five-reel slot experience, along with a variety of bonuses and mystery features on a graphically-detailed video slot.

Tomb Raider

Throughout the years, many video game franchises have come and gone, with numerous developments failing to establish themselves in the modern-day market. With that being said, Tomb Raider, which is based around the iconic character of Lara Croft, found continued success ever since the series’ first title was made available back in 1996. In 2018, the latest Square Enix publication, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, concluded Lara Croft’s journey after the 2015 release, Rise of the Tomb Raider, opened the door for further developments.

Lara Croft has become part of mainstream pop culture, and, in 2018, Roar Uthaug explored the possibility of portraying the independent adventurer’s journeys on the big screen. The first film adaptation of the franchise was released back in 2001 and starred world-renowned actress, Angelina Jolie. In addition to numerous crossover developments coming to fruition, much like Jumanji, the franchise has also found success in the online casino industry. Lara Croft: Temples and Tombs is a slot game that attempts to bring the excitement of concealed treasures deep within hidden tombs to the very forefront of contemporary experiences, which, in turn, demonstrates the franchise’s impact on pop culture.

Crossovers Can be Successful

Although many film adaptations of mainstream video games fail to live up to expectations, crossover developments such as Jumanji and Tomb Raider illustrate that, if done correctly, the intertwining of both sectors can be successful. Moreover, as demonstrated by the growth in online casino slot titles, popular releases in both the film and gaming industries are having a significant impact on modern-day culture.