Movies might seem like a separate form of media, distant from the others at a casual glance, but that’s not quite the case. Many of the most successful movies are based on literature, be it novels or comic books. Other inspiration sources include video games, and, in some instances, also board games.
While making a movie based on an actual board game isn’t as common, multiple movies have worked with the concept of board games to their advantage and built their story around the board game. So anybody who likes both watching movies and playing board games should pay attention to the best movies about board games.
5 Witchboard (1986)
It’s true that Witchboard doesn’t have such high ratings as other movies about board games. However, it’s a good example of a 1980s horror B-film that used the Ouija board long before it got its own new series in the 21st century. The movie centers on two former friends who reunite when the girl they care about gets in danger after contacting a ghost via the Ouija board.
The movie manages to create a strong atmosphere and several frightening scenes and the story moves swiftly forward, making it easy to stay entertained. Witchboard spawned two sequels, in 1993 and 1995, but the first part remains the best and since its release, it’s garnered a cult following.
4 Jumanji (1995)
Jumanji is one of the most famous movies that centers on a board game, and for a good reason. It offers an adventurous story that doesn’t even shy away from horror in some scenes. In 1969, a twelve-year-old boy, Alan Parrish, is sucked into the board game Jumanji. More than twenty years later, two siblings, Judy and Peter, also end up in the game and have to finish it in order to return to their world. The only problem is that Jumanji throws multiple obstacles in their way. Luckily, Judy and Peter might have some unexpected help.
The movie keeps a fast pace and creates a real sense of urgency since the stakes are high and the characters end up in danger more than once. Jumanji is imaginative and touching at times since Judy and Peter recently lost their parents and are having a hard time coming to terms with that. The movie stars many talented actors, including the late Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, and young Kirsten Dunst in one of her first major movie roles. An interesting bit of trivia is that before the role of Judy went to Dunst, Scarlett Johansson auditioned for it. Jumanji got multiple sequels, most notably two sequels/reboots: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019). However, in the two movies, Jumanji is no longer a board game, but a video game instead.
3 Word Wars (2004)
Movies about board games aren’t limited only to fiction. Those viewers who would like to learn more about one of the most well-known games, Scrabble, should pay attention to this movie. Scrabble is not only a good way to pass the time, but it also helps people to learn new words. The 2004 documentary movie doesn’t focus on casual Scrabble players, but rather on those who are playing it competitively and are getting ready for the National Scrabble Championship.
The movie offers a fun view into a world of people who have their passion - Scrabble - and aren’t afraid to pursue it. Word Wars has a similar feel-good atmosphere as the recent Netflix documentary seriesWe Are the Champions, but it came years before and chronicles events that happened in 2002.
2 Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005)
Jon Favreau is no stranger to science fiction, having directed Iron Man (2008) and the underappreciated space western Cowboys & Aliens (2011). However, Zathura: A Space Adventure is one of his lesser-known movies. Premiering ten years after the critically acclaimed Jumanji, Zathura can best be described as a space sequel to Jumanji. Two young brothers end up playing a board game that transports them (and their unwilling older sister) into space and once again, they have to find their way out of multiple problems if they want to ever return home.
The movie wasn’t as much of a success as Jumanji but is ideal for all who love science fiction and want to see a wholesome sci-fi movie that’s suitable for children. The movie never becomes boring, it’s imaginative, and the actors give solid performances, including Kristen Stewart as the brothers’ sister Lisa. Other familiar names are Josh Hutcherson and Dax Shepard. Unlike Jumanji, Zathura never got a sequel, but that doesn’t make the movie any less enjoyable.
1 The Divine Move (2014)
When somebody thinks about the game Go, they don’t usually realize it might help them get out of prison. At least that’s the case in this Korean movie. Tae-sung is a talented Go player who ends up in prison where he continues to keep playing with a mysterious man in the cell next to him. After his release from prison, Tae-sung starts planning his revenge for the death of his brother. The movie will be naturally most interesting to everyone familiar with Go since the game plays a major part in the story.
However, even those who haven’t played it before will understand what’s going on. The Divine Move combines both action and gaming sequences, connecting them into one unique coherent whole. With just over 2,000 ratings on IMDb and an above-average rating of 6.7, The Divine Move is one of the Korean underappreciated movies that no fan of movies about board games should miss out on watching.
