Why French Cinema is Unstoppable: Rated 4.1/5, The Best Video Game Movie Ever!

The transition of video games to the silver screen is not a recent trend. Since 1993, starting with a notoriously bad Super Mario adaptation, many films have attempted this, though few have succeeded. The challenge has been so great that it was once deemed nearly impossible, even as video games themselves increasingly adopted cinematic storytelling, turning into interactive movies.

However, there are monumental exceptions: the “Resident Evil” reboot by Zach Cregger (Barbarian, Fainted) is currently in theaters, successfully capturing the essence of the franchise in a new and engaging narrative; then there’s this movie, scoring an average of 4.1 on AlloCiné, which might surprise you—look below to find out its title.

Released in 2016, “Dofus” (or Dofus – Book 1: Julith) stands as the highest-rated video game film adaptation on AlloCiné, edging out the 2023 Super Mario Bros. movie with a solid rating of 4 out of 5. Created by the studios at Ankama, also known for “Mutafukaz,” it draws from its 2004 game title.

A MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game), which was the most played online game in France at the time, where players seek six primal Dofus, dragon eggs that grant immense power to their holders, scattered throughout an expansive open world.

The movie’s storyline unfolds two centuries before the events of the video game.

Top Reviews from Users Who Rated “Dofus” 5 out of 5

Coke-ine : “A real gem from Ankama studios. Couldn’t have hoped for a better first film. It’s packed with action, tears, love, and above all, a hefty dose of humor! A must-see over and over again!”

Anonymous User : “A landmark in animation that will be remembered: after the initial surprise of the first ten minutes, you’re drawn into a world as kind as it is bizarre, free from pretentious artistry, taking us on a dreamlike, vibrant, and tender journey for two hours. It’s a reconciliatory gaze with youngsters and the 35-year-old geeks at the back of the room, realizing suddenly that the world of animation has shifted, together, enjoying every moment. That’s all we ask for!”

Syl D : “First off, I was completely new to the Dofus universe. I had heard quite a bit about Ankama and their work and frankly, this film deserves the highest rating as it is by far the best French animated film I’ve seen. Everything is top-notch, from aesthetics to soundtrack to voice acting.”

“The plot is clear and while it holds no major surprises, it engages throughout. There are only two minor flaws: the subplot on bullying and some scene transitions using fades (one in particular slightly disrupted the rhythm at the beginning of the film) but other than that, it’s perfect and you can be sure I’ll be there for book 2.”

A delicious blend of comedy, slapstick, action, and emotion weaves through this engaging adventure narrative

Romain D. : “It’s French, it’s well-made, it’s dynamic, it’s beautiful, it’s for everyone.. and just to support such animation productions, I highly recommend checking it out in theaters!”

Anonymous User : “This is why French cinema is unsinkable! An extraordinary experience! Bring your kids for some wonderful values that inspire their dreams, bring adults who still enjoy a good story, and even those who have stopped dreaming, to awaken their artistic sense or simply discover a new world… This epic is a rare masterpiece that I hope finds not just ‘its’ audience, but a broad one, beyond just being labeled as a kids’ animation.”

This epic is a rare masterpiece that I hope finds its audience

julien l. : “Whether you’re familiar with the universe or not, it poses no barrier to enjoying the story and having a great family time. Yes, it’s an animated film that can be enjoyed by the family, with layers that both adults and children will interpret differently. Personally, I experienced every emotion imaginable, a feat previously only achieved by Miyazaki‘s films from Studio Ghibli.”

Arnaud C. : “Once again, Ankama proves itself among the giants of today’s animation industry with what is their first feature film, a true gem. Full of comedy, slapstick, action, and emotion, this engaging adventure is driven by endearing characters and a well-paced narrative. Visually stunning, supported by a beautiful orchestral score, this unique jewel deserves your full attention. Well done Ankama, bravo.”

What did you think of Dofus?