The forthcoming release of Trolls World Tour means this is a good time to think about all of the films that have been released based on toys and games. While this is one of those ideas that seems great in theory, in execution the results have been decidedly mixed.
Far too often, the resultant films are lackluster at best and almost unwatchable at worst. Fortunately, Rotten Tomatoes is here to guide potential viewers on which films based on toys are worth watching and which should be skipped. Here are 10 films based on toys, ranked according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Bratz: The Movie (2007)—10%
Coming in at the bottom of the list, Bratz was based on the wildly successful toy line of the same name. The film fits pretty neatly into the traditional teenage film, exploring the ways in which teenagers from their own social hierarchies and cliques.
Though the film does have its charms, Bratz managed to alienate both film critics as well as many of those who really loved the toys. In fact, it was so badly received, the movie was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for worst picture.
Masters of the Universe (1987) — 17%
Masters of the Universe, based on both the toys and the television series of the same name (which is owned by Mattel), is a peak 1980s fantasy film. Despite the critical disdain that critics heaped on it at the time, there are a number of things that are worth watching in this film, including the character of Skeletor.
Though it was neither critically nor commercially successful at the time of its release, Masters of the Universe has subsequently become something of a cult hit. This film's campiness is its greatest strength.
Jem and the Holograms (2015) – 22%
This film is a classic case of an idea that seems good in concept but is deeply flawed in reality. The film is a strange creature, both in of genre and in of subject. It draws on both the toy line and the 1980s television series, in a way not dissimilar to Transformers.
Unfortunately, Jem and the Holograms was not nearly as successful in its efforts to draw on that 1980s energy, and the film was met with both critical disdain — as the 22% Rotten Tomatoes score makes clear — and financial disappointment.
Digimon: The Movie (2000) — 24%
This film is part of the sprawling and enormously successful Digimon franchise. In large part, it is a splicing together of several shorter films in the franchise, including Digimon: Adventure and Digimon Adventure: Children’s War Game.
However, there were enough changes made to those projects in order for Digimon: The Movie to be considered an original film. Though the critics weren’t overly fond of the film, it managed to be quite the financial success, managing to bring in a not-insignificant $16 million, even though the film only cost around $5 million to make.
Battleship (2012) — 34%
Though at first glance it might seem a little ridiculous to make a film based on the game Battleship, the studio clearly decided that there was enough of an audience to make it.
Though the game itself doesn’t really have a plot, in the film a group of navy ships is tasked with doing battle against a group of extraterrestrials who are set on destroying the world. After all, if you can’t quite figure out what you want your film to be about in of narrative, aliens are always an option
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) — 34%
For such a popular television franchise still ed fondly by those who watched it as kids, it's sad to see this one way down here. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is largely based on the comic book series, which was in turn based on the toy line. It’s an entertaining film for what it is, and Channing Tatum has enough charm that he’s able to pull the rest of the film along with him.
Unfortunately, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra was definitely not liked by critics, though it performed reasonably well at the box office, well enough that the studio greenlit a sequel.
Mars Attacks! (1996) — 54%
The filmmaker Tim Burton has a well-deserved reputation for being able to craft films that remain true to his unique vision and also accessible to all sorts of audiences. That is certainly the case with Mars Attacks, based on the card game of the same name.
The film has some truly extraordinary imagery, though it underperformed at the box office, failing to recoup its budget. However, Mars Attack was moderately well-received by critics, and it even managed to get nominated for both Hugo and Saturn Awards.
Transformers (2007) — 58%
The Transformers are, without a doubt, some of the most popular toys from the 1980s. It’s no wonder, then, that they have been adapted into a number of films and television series, including this 2007 film from director Michael Bay.
The film is a little ridiculous at points, but it does manage to do some justice to the original toys. If you like lots of explosions, as well as the iconic character of Optimus Prime, this is the film for you. Though it underwhelmed critics, it has gone on to create a colossus of a film franchise.
Clue (1985) — 62%
This film, based on the popular crime-solving board game of the same name, is the very definition of screwball, with some truly hilarious moments (some of which have been made into memes). Clue features some truly extraordinary talent — Martin Mull, Tim Curry, and the divine Madeline Kahn — though the storyline is a little weak in places.
The most extraordinary parts of Clue are its multiple endings, which did not go over well with critics at the time. Though it wasn’t a success upon initial release, Clue eventually became a cult hit.
The Lego Movie (2014) — 96%
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that The Lego Movie ranks right at the top. While the plot is, ittedly, a little silly, what makes this film shine is both its truly razor-sharp humor and the considerable voice talent that it brings to bear.
It’s also something of a satire of some of the biggest franchises of the present era of Hollywood. The film was so successful among both critics and audiences that it spawned its own franchise. It’s really says something that a film based on Legos could become such a big hit.
