MMOs have left a massive cultural impact on lives, and there are countless hit TV shows, anime, and movies that are inspired by MMOs or are direct adaptations. With the recent success of Amazon's Fallout TV show, we started to think of other video game movies and shows - especially ones with an MMO twist we could recommend. So whether it’s about forging new alliances or going on epic quests, here are some of the best TV shows and movies that you should check out.
Ready Player One (Movie)
It is a no-brainer that Ready Player One makes it to this list. The movie is based on a book written by Ernest Cline in 2011. The New York Times bestseller was adapted into a movie directed by Steven Spielberg in 2018.
The movie follows Wade Watts, a teenager who becomes obsessed with finding an easter egg in OASIS, a virtual reality simulation where you can do anything and be anyone. Wade goes on a wild adventure and there learns what it means to be a hero.
Free Guy (Movie)
Free Guy features a protagonist (played by Ryan Reynolds) who discovers his bank teller job is a lie. He is an NPC in an MMORPG, and the CEO of the game stole the protagonist’s game source code. It is an absurd story that is far from being the best movie or TV show on this list but I wholeheartedly recommend it anyway if you want to watch something silly.
Dead Pixels (TV Show)
Dead Pixels is a British TV series about Meg, Nicky, and Usman, three hapless gamers obsessed with Kingdom Scrolls, a fictional RPG. The series follows the trio's lives in real life and in their in-game experiences.
The game explores topics like addiction and pay-to-win microtransactions. It’s not just about video games alone; the characters have real-life issues like dating struggles and family problems that intertwine with their online gaming lives.
Sword Art Online (Anime)
Sword Art Online takes place in the early 2020s and it features Kazuto "Kirito" Kirigaya as the protagonist. Kirito is a beta tester of a popular MMO and he finds out that escaping the MMORPG is impossible and death in-game leads to death in real life. It is an intriguing premise and worth checking out.
.hack//SIGN
".hack//SIGN" is an anime series that holds a special place in the hearts of many fans, especially those who appreciate its unique storytelling and atmospheric world-building. Set in a virtual MMORPG called "The World," the series follows Tsukasa, a player who finds himself unable to log out of the game and struggles to understand his predicament. The soundtrack is one of the best parts of the anime with Yuki Kajiura doing a fantastic job through his dreamy and mysterious tunes. While the pacing can feel slow by modern anime standards, the story is gripping and the payoff by the end of the series is well worth the wait.
The Guild (TV Show)
The Guild is a web series that follows the lives of a group of friends and their social dynamics as they play an MMORPG together. The protagonists play “The Game” and it leads to some humorous moments throughout the series. The first five seasons are pretty good but the final (sixth) season felt a little lackluster. If you end up enjoying the show, I recommend sitting through it all just for the conclusion.
Warcraft (Movie)
Warcraft was a commercial success but the overall reviews of the movie are mixed from both the audience and critics. I enjoyed the movie but I am also extremely biased towards the franchise so don’t take my word for it. If you are reading this, you are likely to have seen the movie already but in case you haven’t and are remotely interested in World of Warcraft or the original Warcraft RTS games, then I strongly recommend it. The movie features some of the most iconic characters in the franchise and while it might not be the best piece of media to watch on this list, being a Warcraft fan will definitely boost your enjoyment!
Overlord (Anime)
Overlord is a popular anime series based on a light novel series by Kugane Maruyama. Overlord follows the story of Momonga, a guild leader in the popular video game “Yggdrasil”. The game shuts down permanently and Momoga finds himself trapped inside, except that he is completely geared and overpowered. He also finds his other guild members and the protagonist tries to find a way back to the real world. The show has concluded and you can watch all episodes online if you are looking for a lighthearted take on the “trapped in a MMORPG” genre that a lot of anime have explored over the years.
South Park - Make Love, Not Warcraft (Single Episode: Season 10 Episode 8)
Just in case you haven’t watched South Park ever. It is an animated TV show set in the fictional town of South Park, the episode “Make Love, Not Warcraft” revolves around the boys—Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny who are immersed in World of Warcraft. When an exceptionally powerful player known as "no-life" continuously defeats everyone in the game, the boys, along with a newfound ally in the form of a griefer named Jenkins, embark on a quest to vanquish him. If South Park humor is up your alley, you are going to enjoy this episode. The episode also explores the addictive nature of MMOs and it also parodies the MMO culture.
Mythic Quest (TV Show)
Mythic Quest is a TV show that revolves around the fictional video game development studio of the same name. One of the best characters in the show is Ian Grimm, who is an egocentric director. The show is a parody of video game development and it draws parallels to issues we see in real life. It is a comedy show that flew under my radar for a long time. I picked it up recently the first few episodes felt like a drag but Episode 5 (A Dark Quiet Death) blew me away and I have been hooked on the show ever since.
What are your favorite TV shows and movies based on games? Let us know!
