Any time a giant blockbuster movie rolls into production, you can bet that the studio and marketing team behind it is already cooking up ways to maximise their profits and broaden their revenue streams before the film even hits cinemas. After all, box office receipts are just one (admittedly large piece) of the profit pie. You’ll no doubt be familiar with movie tie-in videogames, which range from the great (Goldeneye) to the good (Spider-Man 2) to the absolutely terrible (well, that’s most of them, to be fair). You’ll find gaming tie-ins everywhere from Monopoly to Top Trump cards.
However, if you’re not partial to a bit of gambling, you may not have realised the extent to which Hollywood continues to license their movies for slot machines, both on the casino floor and online. Of course, with the state of the world right now you’re more likely to look up these titles in virtual casinos, and this article discusses those gambling sites where you can find a whole world of movie tie-in slot machines. We’ve got a selection of a few of the best and most surprising films-turned-slots right here.
Highlander
There can be only one…movie tie-in slot machine. Well, not exactly, but there’s only one Highlander one at any rate. Based on the 1986 cult classic about a race of immortals battling through time to cut each other’s heads off and be the last man standing, this Microgaming-designed mobile slot is made with a lot of love for the original movie and goes big on its overblown, stylish glory as you head from Scotland to New York City, just like Connor McLeod.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Do you find a simple slot a little too sleep-inducing? Do you need a jolt of raw terror to keep you on your toes? Well, maybe it’s time you went looking for the raw terror of this tie-in to the 2010 remake of the classic horror movie. Featuring rules and guidelines for how to keep your eyes open and stay one step ahead of Freddy Krueger and featuring gory footage from the film, this is sure to get your heart pounding. More than the film did at any rate…
Rocky
It’s the classic underdog story, the tale of a guy no one believed in who took a chance on himself, put the work in and went the distance to become one of the most beloved (fictional) boxing icons in history. Given that it went on to spawn several sequels and the recent Creed spin-off movies, it’s not surprising that there’s a tie-in slot machine for the Philadelphian legend which features allies and opponents from the first four films. Gonna fly now…
The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece changed the way we thought about superhero movies and gave us one of the greatest performances ever committed to film in Heath Ledger’s Joker. It’s also a great slot game, thanks to the fine folks at Microgaming who went the extra mile to make sure it matched up with its inspiration. The moody tone of the movie is maintained thanks to the music and well-incorporated clips from the movie, and Batman and Joker will pop up to help or hinder.
Robocop
He’s the future of law enforcement, and he’s the star of an online slot that perfectly understands his retro appeal. For those of us who grew up watching Alex Murphy take on the bad guys of Detroit in an incredibly violent fashion, this game is an absolute treat, loaded with free games and bonus features to keep you coming back for more. There’s a nice blend of throwback visuals and cut-scenes, plus Robocop will shoot your wilds for you. I’d buy that for a dollar!
Game of Thrones
The HBO show based on George R.R. Martin’s novels dominated pop culture for a full decade, so of course there’s an online slot for it. Micrograming cooked this up, and the free spins features offer you the chance to pledge your fealty to your choice of the four great houses of Westeros. Although you won’t see any character likenesses from the show, you do get the incredible title theme accompanying your play. If you’re not quite ready to start the show from the beginning again, why not give this a go?
Superman
If you’re looking for an online slot featuring the Man of Tomorrow, you’re going to be spoilt for choice. There are games for the comic book character as well as ones tying into Superman II, Man of Steel and Justice League, but for our money, the pick of the litter is the one from Playtech based on the classic 1978 movie starring Christopher Reeve. With crisp graphics, great music and the chance for big prizes, this makes for a great gaming experience.
Gladiator
Throw yourself into the arena of online slots with this game inspired by Ridley Scott’s 2000 epic blockbuster. While this slot has been around for a good long while now, it has continued to prove very popular with players thanks to the various bonuses, inventive gameplay and massive progressive jackpot. As an older movie tie-in, some of the graphics and clips show definite signs of ageing, but there’s a reason why dedicated slot players won’t let this one go.
Jurassic Park
With a film series as inventive and consistently entertaining as Jurassic Park, it would be a real shame if the slot game was a simple cash-grab. Thankfully, a lot of effort went into making this game feel special. There’s a T-Rex, Velociraptor, Brachiosaurus, Triceratops or Dilophosaurus free spin which have their own unique advantages, and there’s the T-Rex Alert Mode which is randomly triggered. Not that the franchise needs too much help from ancillary merchandise, as it’s still in the top 10 highest grossing movie series of all time.
Platoon
Some movie titles make a lot of sense for a slot game tie-in. Some are a little more confusing. It’s hard to know who looked at Oliver Stone’s gruelling, emotional, deeply personal Vietnam movie Platoon and thought “slot game!” but someone did. Maybe it’s a commentary on the draft lottery, maybe it’s about the life or death stakes, but whatever the reason behind it, the fact is that this online slot kind of works. There’s nice attention to the detail in the graphics and design, and movie sound effects really add something.
