The 12 Best Board Games Based On Movies

While remakes in the movie world are quite common, it's not often that a major film has a hit board game to pair along with it, and then 40 years later a remake of both the movie and the board game comes out to the same acclaim, but somehow Dune managed to do just that. Widely regarded as one of the most difficult and intense board games to ever be released, players take control of one of six great factions all hellbent on controlling spice, and must navigate this toxic political wasteland in order to become ruler. Lie, negotiate, fight, or work together to take control, but remember, there can only be one king when it is all said and done. Number of Players: 2-6 Level of Difficulty: Hard Game Time: 120-180 minutes

Quickly climbing the ranks of most popular board games out today, Horrified is a brilliant and terrifying adventure that forces a group of friends to battle against some of Universal's greatest monsters. Frankenstein, Dracula, The Wolfman, and everyone in between makes their mark as haunting and devious foes players will have to outsmart and destroy in order to save a small town from complete annihilation. With a completely different set of rules for each monster and the ability to go up against as many monsters as you choose, Horrified is a game that is difficult to learn, but all the more rewarding when you finally achieve that ultimate victory. Number of Players: 1-5 Level of Difficulty: Medium-Hard Game Time: 60 minutes

One of the newest board games based on movies to release, Alien: Fate of the Nostromo allows players to take control of some of the most beloved characters in sci-fi history from Ripley all the way to Dallas, as they attempt to survive, scrap, and defeat the alien scourge that has made its way onto their ship. Cooperation is key as players will have but a few moves to save themselves and their partners from a creature so powerful, one wrong move could mean game over. Kill the alien, or die trying, the only way to win is to survive. Number of Players: 1-5 Level of Difficulty: Medium Game Time: 45-60 minutes

Bringing director Steven Spielberg's magnificent feat of terror and dread to life in board game fashion, Ravensburger created the quintessential killer shark board game in Jaws. With two distinct modes, players separate into two groups, one of the heroes of the story including Brody, Quinty, and Hooper, and one playing as the deadly and devious shark. The rules are simple, for our human friends, kill the shark, for our finned friend, kill the humans. A wonderful entry in any board game lovers' collection, Jaws is a wonderful way to get friends interested in the world of board games. Number of Players: 2-4 Level of Difficulty: Medium Game Time: 60 minutes

A game determined to destroy friendships, The Thing: Infection At Outpost 31 is a tense, creepy, and paranoia-inducing board game that will have players questioning who they can really trust by the time the dice rolls. Best played with large groups, Infection At Outpost 31 sees the cast of characters from John Carpenters' hit film all secluded in their outpost with one twist, someone among them has been infected. The infected individual must try to spread their infection to everyone else, while the group of humans must figure out who is the alien. Not only one of the best board games based on movies but one of the best board games of all time, The Thing: Infection At Outpost is a nailbiting thriller that will have players' hearts pounding. Number of Players: 4-8 Level of Difficulty: Hard Game Time: 60-120 minutes

It only makes sense that one of the biggest and most popular fictional board games ever to be included in film would be brought to the real world in glorious fashion, and Jumanji delivers that showstopping action-packed experience that is fun for the whole family. While many view Jumanji as a simple kids' game, there is still plenty of fun to be had and adventure to seek, plus it is the perfect board game to play with kids and spark a love of board games at a young age. Number of Players: 2-4 Level of Difficulty: Easy Game Time: 45 minutes

There is arguably no greater feeling than venturing out into Middle-Earth and witnessing the world that J.R.R. Tolkien created, and now thanks to The Lord of the Rings Journeys in Middle-Earth, players are able to live out their wildest fantasies. A fully co-operative adventure, groups of up to 5 join forces and battle against villainous foes, defend the realm, and travel across the lands in order to save Middle-Earth. While this board game isn't a one-to-one recreation of the film, it is a wonderful side story that will have players clamoring to watch the magnificent Lord of the Rings films one more time. Number of Players: 1-5 Level of Difficulty: Hard Game Time: 60-120 minutes

One of the most revered and beloved movie board games of all time, Big Trouble in Little China: The Board Game may be simultaneously one of the most loved and difficult games for board game lovers to get their hands on, but anyone who has had the privilege of venturing into this fantastical world knows it is more than worth their time. Players control their favorite characters from the film as they relive the events of Jack Burton and co as they attempt to destroy Lo Pan and his army of evil villains. This turn-based action board game uses strategy, comedy, and action for a cinematic experience John Carpenter would be proud of. Number of Players: 1-4 Level of Difficulty: Medium Game Time: 120 minutes

For those who are looking to get a gateway into the wide world of board games, look no further that The Shinning Board Game. An incredibly easy and atmospheric game, it can be completed in a swift 45 minutes and brings loads of fun. Fans of the film will get the opportunity to relive some of the most terrifying and haunting moments from the Overlook Hotel as they attempt to survive the winter and outlast the horrible forces that lay deep inside the hotel. Cooperation is key and The Shining Board Game is ideal for newcomers to the board game world. Number of Players: 3-5 Level of Difficulty: Easy Game Time: 45-60 minutes

Prepare to live out the dangerous life of beloved action star John McClane as he battles a swarm of thieves as he attempts to rescue the citizens trapped in Nakatomi Plaza. In this One v. multiple board game, a single person takes on the roll of McClane as the rest arm themselves up and attempt to stop them from making it to the top. Collaboration and determination are needed in order to survive this pulse-pounding adventure that is equal parts bombastic and strategic. Number of Players: 2-4 Level of Difficulty: Medium Game Time: 60-90 minutes

Get ready to relive one of the most believed cult action movies of all time as board game lovers embark on The Warriors: Come Out to Play, a fighting movie board game adaptation that lets players play as members of their favorite gangs throughout the film. Contrary to what many thought it would be, Come Out to Play is not a full-blown war game, instead a strategic cooperative experience that sees groups of up to 4 battle on the dangerous streets of 1970s New York as they aim to become top dogs. Number of Players: 2-4 Level of Difficulty: Medium Game Time: 45 minutes

Prepare to make your opponents an offer they can't refuse, as The Godfather: Corleone's Empire is a tense, thrilling, and remarkable mafia simulator that manages to capture the feeling of being a major mob boss on the hunt to gain as much power as they possibly can. Filled to the brim with murder, intrigue, and power, players need to make money to keep their families happy and make sure they know who is in charge by dealing out hits, and contracts, and buying out those who are scared in order to showcase their muscle to opposing would-be gangs. Described as a “thugs on a map” type game, The Godfather: Corelone's Empire doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it nearly perfects it. Number of Players: 2-5 Level of Difficulty: Medium Game Time: 60-90 minutes