Iconic game designerHideo Kojimarevealed his four favorite films, and they were made by some of the greatest directors in cinema history. Kojima might be from the world of gaming, but his style has always pushed the boundaries of what the medium could offer by incorporating cinematic ideas. Starting all the way back in 1987 withMetal Gear, Kojima’s projects not only delivered compelling gameplay, but told larger-than-life stories that hooked players with their fascinating and introspective narratives. 2019’sDeath Strandingpushed Kojima’s ideas to their absolute limit, and is one of the greatest achievements in modern gaming history.
In an interview withGQ, Kojima spoke candidly about the movies that he loved the most, and his top four list was surprisingly diverse. Though he admitted that the list was prone to fluctuations,Kojima listed, “2001: A Space Odyssey. Taxi Driver. Mad Max 2. Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low” as his favorite moviesfor the time being. This came just shortly after the director referred toMad Maxdirector George Miller and Martin Scorsese as gods, though he ranked Miller at the top above Scorsese.
High and Low
1963
96%
1968
90%
1976
89%
1982
93%
What Hideo Kojima’s Influences Mean For His Games
The Game Designer Respects Grand Vision
Kojima’s influences have been a good stepping stone for the game designer, but it’s his own vision that appears in the final product.
All four of the films that Hideo Kojima mentioned as his favorites represent the vision of an iconic director, andit’s clear they all influenced the way he makes games. Stanley Kubrick and Kurosawa were known for their meticulous eye for detail, and Scorsese’s way with character makes his films both accessible and stimulating. Even George Miller’s world-building is reflected in Kojima’sDeath Stranding, which is anapocalyptic story much likeMad Max. Kojima’s influences have been a good stepping stone for the game designer, but it’s his own vision that appears in the final product.
Our Take On Hideo Kojima’s Favorite Movies
Kojima Clearly Knows Good Cinema When He Sees It
Good storytelling is good storytelling regardless of the medium, so I’m not surprised that Hideo Kojima has an eye for excellent cinema. His four favorite films might not necessarily represent the most obscure of esoteric movies, but they are all strong contributions to the art of cinema. Based on Kojima’s picks, it’s rather pretty clear what the game designer likes best in a story.He obviously prioritizes compelling visuals, rich and complicated characters, and intricate world-buildingthat sets the stage for the drama that will unfold.
All four of his picks represent the best of what each of the four filmmakers has to offer, much in the same way thatDeath Strandingis the essence of Kojima’s creativity. He mentioned that his list changes quite frequently, and I wouldn’t be surprised if more established classics muscle their way into his favorites in the future. Much like video game stories, movie scripts are often streamlined and efficient, andHideo Kojimahas taken that lesson to heart whenmaking his games.
