“ScreenPICK” is a column that highlights the must-see aspects of movies released in theaters this week. <Editor’s Note>
[E-Daily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] The world of video games has made its way to the big screen. From animated films that evoke nostalgia for classic games to Hollywood live-action adaptations of world-famous fighting games, works that draw on the universes and conventions of video games are hitting theaters this weekend. Joining the lineup is a survival thriller set inside the belly of a giant whale. These films, which go beyond mere entertainment to offer an experience that feels like playing the game yourself, await audiences.

◇Where Pixels Meet 3D… “The Guardians of Video Games”
Released on the 14th, “The Guardians of Video Games” is a South Korean feature-length animated film based on the popular webtoon by author Gaspard. It begins with a unique premise: the existence of a secret organization that manages the worlds within video games. It tells the story of “Patch,” a perfectionist ace agent who is demoted to the outdated 8-bit classic game “Legend of the Dragon Sword” and struggles to prevent the game from being forcibly shut down.
The biggest highlight is the film’s unique visual style, which blends rough 8-bit pixel graphics with dazzling 3D imagery. It offers a sense of nostalgia for audiences who remember classic games, while providing new viewers with the thrill of exploring the game world. The original work’s signature humor and distinctive characters are also key attractions.
Produced by Locus, the studio behind *Red Shoes* and *The Exorcist*, and directed by Eom Young-sik, the film expands the in-game space to the left and right walls in ScreenX (multi-screen format), while 4DX (4-dimensional movie screening system) enhances immersion by recreating the characters’ movements through motion effects.

◇The Arcade Legend Is Back… “Street Fighter”
The fighting game “Street Fighter,” which dominated arcades in the 1990s, has also been reborn as a live-action film. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, this film is set in 1993 and tells the story of fated rivals Ryu and Ken as they participate in the “World Warrior Tournament.”
Andrew Koji plays Ryu, and Noah Centineo plays Ken. Kalina Liang appears as Chun-Li, and Jason Momoa as Blanka. For audiences who enjoyed the game, it’s sure to be a delight to see these familiar characters brought to life on screen.
The key highlights are the iconic special moves and fight sequences from the original game. John Valera, the martial arts choreographer who worked on films such as “John Wick 3: Parabellum,” designed the action sequences. In particular, the 4DX experience enhances the thrill of physically experiencing the in-game battles by rendering Ryu’s Hadouken as heat and wind and Blanca’s charge as seat movements.

◇A struggle for survival inside a whale’s belly… “Whalefall”
Although not based on a video game, “Whalefall: The Man Swallowed by a Whale” is also a film that emphasizes the fun of an immersive viewing experience. It is a survival thriller depicting a man’s struggle to escape from inside the belly of a sperm whale weighing 60 metric tons.
The protagonist’s journey through extreme danger in a confined space where even finding an escape route is difficult evokes the feeling of a survival game where one must stay alive within a limited time. In 4DX, the immersive experience is maximized through seat vibrations that sync with the whale’s movements, along with water and wind effects.
Although these three films differ in genre and story, they all emphasize an immersive experience that draws audiences into the world on screen. From an animated film that revives memories of video games to live-action action and a survival thriller depicting extreme situations, this weekend’s lineup offers something for every taste.