More and more video game adaptations come out every year, and they are going to get better and more popular every time. With films like A Minecraft Movie and shows like Fallout, live-action adaptations are the next biggest trend. However, that only proves how influential and popular video games are, and if fans search for them, they can even find cinematic masterpieces while playing games.
Most players play games because of their immersive gameplay, sense of agency, and direction, but cinematics, narrative, and cutscenes are becoming all the more important as gamers want more story in their games. That is why this list will feature video games with the best cutscenes in the medium and compare them to films, highlighting what is so great about them based on visuals, story, writing, dialog, narrative, and originality.
‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ (2017)
Following the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Nintendo is moving forward with The Legend of Zelda movie, slated for release in 2027. While this franchise isn’t known for its stories, it still features amazing lore, worldbuilding, and emotion, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild encapsulates all of those aspects. It follows Link hundreds of years after Ganon plunged Hyrule into post-apocalyptic ruin.
Breath of the Wild doesn’t have an amazing story, but that doesn’t mean its cutscenes are bad, quite the opposite. Every memory is slightly separated, but also connects with the bigger picture in restoring Link’s memories. Each cutscene is beautiful, atmospheric, and poetic, evoking emotion with every second, proving better than most movies. Let’s hope that The Legend of Zelda movie can top the cutscenes in Breath of the Wild.
Fans can expect Hideo Kojima to appear a few times on this list, as the game director has proven to be a filmmaker at heart, delivering cinematic experiences in game format. The Metal Gear Solid franchise is arguably his magnum opus, and therefore has some of the best cutscenes in video game history. It follows Snake infiltrating a nuclear facility to rescue the hostages and stop the terrorists from launching the nukes.
It is rumored that Metal Gear Solid will receive a movie, but with no recent updates, fans will have to stick with the fantastic cutscenes from the games. While this list only mentions the first game, it is supposed to represent the franchise, as each entry has incredible cutscenes that are integral to the playing and viewing experience. Some find them too long, but the complex themes and rich narrative presented are worth it.
‘Ghost of Tsushima’ (2020)
Ghost of Yotei recently came out in 2025, and it is already a Game of the Year candidate, but many fans don’t think it compares to its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima. When the Mongols attack the small island of Tsushima, Jin Sakai must do his best to protect the island, choosing between fighting honorably and using dishonorable techniques that have a better chance at saving his home.
PlayStation prides itself on games with good graphics, and that is why many of its titles are getting live-action adaptations, including Ghost of Tsushima. However, it is going to be hard to top what they accomplished in the game, delivering a cinematic masterclass of beauty, drama, and intrigue. The cutscenes are visually striking and absolutely gorgeous, but some players complain that they aren’t skippable. Then again, who would want to skip these stunning graphics?
‘God of War’ (2018)
As previously mentioned, PlayStation is ramping up production of live-action adaptations of its best video games, so that would naturally include its best new game, God of War. Kratos and his son, Atreus, set out on a journey to scatter his wife’s ashes at the highest peak, but the gods and monsters want to stop him, creating a perilous and cinematic adventure.
God of War has one of the best narratives in gaming history, and players can feel it through every little aspect, from the gameplay to the environment to the loading screen. However, the cutscenes are obviously the most narratively rich, slowly expanding the story, lore, and worldbuilding with precise detail and nuance. With one of the best gaming stories, God of War doesn’t slack on the cutscenes.
‘Death Stranding’ (2019)
Kojima and PlayStation earned another entry on this list with Death Stranding, and while the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, is considered to be better, the first arguably has better cutscenes. After a cataclysmic event devastates the United States, Sam Porter transports cargo between towns and reconnects communication, but is faced with a genocidal militia group and a mysterious masked individual.
Although it’s set to receive a live-action movie, it’s strange because it is already mostly a film. Death Stranding is more movie than game, as many have criticized its gameplay, but that just means there is more time for the story and cutscenes to flourish. The high production value and direction create an engaging experience with compelling characters and an in-depth mystery that fans can watch over and over again.
‘Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus’ (2017)
Most of the games on this list have, or will get, a live-action movie or TV show adaptation. However, Wolfenstein is the sole outlier, with no adaptation in production. Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus is an underrated masterpiece set in an alternate future where the Nazis won. Players control a war veteran who leads the charge against the Nazis and their oppressive regime.
Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus‘ cutscenes feel right out of a movie, with excellent voice acting, deep storytelling, cinematic direction, and magnificent character development. This remarkable game has plenty of memorable, character-driven moments, which make it a staple storytelling game that more people need to play.
‘Silent Hill’ (1999)
The horror genre is a staple among video games, but most players only care about the creepy and immersive gameplay rather than the story. But Silent Hill changed that, proving the plot can be just as scary as the gameplay. Harry Mason searches for his missing daughter in the titular town, only to encounter a cult that worships a dark and mysterious power.
The film adaptation wasn’t the greatest, but maybe the movie version of Silent Hill 2 will change things? Either way, fans are better off playing the original games and enjoying their cutscenes. Each game excels at creating a horrifying and tense atmosphere, which enhances the themes and psychological torment. Silent Hill is the king of horror, and its immersive cutscenes prove that.
‘Yakuza 0’ (2015)
The Yakuza television series came and went with little good things to say about it, but the franchise is having a mini-revival thanks to the increased interest in the games. In the franchise, Yakuza 0 is widely regarded as the best. It follows multiple Yakuza gangs fighting for control over an unclaimed plot of land.
Fans may not assume the Yakuza series is known for its cutscenes, but its mix of bizarreness and homage to classic cinema creates a unique and captivating blend. The different visual styles create an unpredictable and engaging style, accentuating every cutscene with dazzling moments and narrative depth.
‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ (2018)
Rockstar is busy perfecting GTA VI, announcing yet another delay that pushes the game’s release to November 2026. That means their last title was Red Dead Redemption 2, all the way back in 2018. This Western video game follows Arthur Morgan, who attempts to survive in the declining Western world while facing off against bandits and government forces.
Red Dead Redemption 2 would make an excellent movie or TV show, but fans are happy with the game and its beautiful cutscenes. The visuals are known for being among the best, and the cinematic experience tied to it is equally stellar. The story is arguably the greatest of all time, and the integration from gameplay to cutscenes is simply remarkable.
‘The Last of Us’ (2013)
Last but not least is the game with arguably the best live-action adaptation, The Last of Us. However, despite the show being incredible, the game still tops it in terms of story and cutscenes. With the zombie apocalypse throwing the world into chaos, Joel and Ellie do whatever it takes to survive, but the latter might just be the only hope humanity has to cure the disease.
The Last of Us is one of the greatest games of all time, and its TV series counterpart is also doing fantastic numbers. But nothing compares to the game’s integration of gameplay into cutscenes and the emotional, atmospheric, tragic, dramatic, and engrossing story it presents. The Last of Us game is better than any movie or TV show, based on either the gameplay or cutscenes.