Academy Award-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, known for his dark fantasy masterpieces and gothic storytelling, has revealed an unexpected daily ritual that might surprise his fans. During an exclusive interview with IGN at San Diego Comic Con 2026, where he celebrated the 20th anniversary of his beloved film Pan’s Labyrinth, del Toro opened up about his passionate relationship with video games — and one title in particular stood out from his impressive gaming repertoire.
While del Toro’s love for gaming is well-documented among his followers, his admission about playing Angry Birds daily caught many off guard. “Every day of my life, every moment I have free, I’m still playing Angry Birds. I’m really good at it,” the director confessed with characteristic enthusiasm. This revelation is particularly striking given del Toro’s reputation for gravitating toward darker, more atmospheric entertainment. The filmmaker behind Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water, and Pacific Rim finds solace in a colorful mobile game about launching birds at pigs.
A Filmmaker’s Deep Connection to Gaming Culture
Del Toro’s gaming interests extend far beyond casual mobile entertainment. During the interview, he eloquently discussed how various games have profoundly impacted his creative perspective. “Death Stranding made me cry,” he revealed, referencing Hideo Kojima’s ambitious 2019 title in which del Toro himself appeared as a character. “Shadow of the Colossus made me introspective about so many intangible things. Bioshock, it’s a world I could get lost in for ages.” He also praised artistic indie titles like Journey and Monument Valley, demonstrating an appreciation that spans from blockbuster productions to intimate independent experiences.
The director’s connection to gaming runs deeper than mere fandom. Del Toro has been involved in several gaming projects throughout his career, most notably his collaboration with Hideo Kojima on the infamous P.T. demo, which was intended to be a new Silent Hill game before its cancellation. This partnership eventually evolved into del Toro’s appearance in Death Stranding, cementing his place in gaming history. His understanding of interactive storytelling has influenced discussions about the convergence of film and video games as artistic mediums.
The Appeal of Dead Cells and a Plea to Developers
Among del Toro’s more predictable favorites is Dead Cells, the critically acclaimed roguelike action game developed by Motion Twin. However, the 62-year-old filmmaker had a humorous request for the developers. “Dead Cells was really interesting to me,” he explained. “I just hate respawning, because you only get about 35 levels and then you start again. You get faster, but please, do a version without respawning for the older, for the elderly players. I’m available. Contact me and send it to me, please. I beg you!” This lighthearted appeal highlights a genuine challenge many older gamers face with the roguelike genre, where repeated death and restart cycles are fundamental to the gameplay experience.
Del Toro’s gaming preferences reflect broader trends in the industry regarding accessibility and inclusive design. As the gaming population ages, developers have increasingly considered options that accommodate different skill levels and time commitments. The director’s public advocacy for such features, even in jest, adds a prominent voice to ongoing conversations about making gaming more welcoming to diverse audiences. His appreciation for both challenging titles like Dead Cells and accessible games like Angry Birds demonstrates that gaming enjoyment exists on a spectrum that doesn’t require choosing sides.
Celebrating Two Decades of Pan’s Labyrinth
The interview took place during del Toro’s celebration of Pan’s Labyrinth’s 20th anniversary at San Diego Comic Con 2026. The 2006 dark fantasy film remains one of cinema’s most celebrated explorations of fairy tale imagery and wartime trauma, winning three Academy Awards and establishing del Toro as a master of visual storytelling. The film’s themes of escapism, imagination, and finding beauty amid darkness resonate with del Toro’s appreciation for games that offer similar emotional experiences.
Del Toro’s openness about his gaming habits continues to endear him to fans who appreciate his authentic enthusiasm for the medium. His recent social media activity, including excitedly retweeting a sculpture of Resident Evil 2’s Super Tyrant with an enthusiastic “Aaaaah~,” showcases a director who remains genuinely engaged with gaming culture. The full extended interview with del Toro will be published later this year as part of IGN’s 30th anniversary Icons series, promising more insights into the creative mind behind some of cinema’s most imaginative works.
Expert Opinion: Del Toro’s gaming revelations underscore an important shift in how creative professionals engage with interactive media. His eclectic taste — spanning from artistic masterpieces like Shadow of the Colossus to casual mobile games like Angry Birds — suggests that gaming’s cultural legitimacy no longer depends on genre snobbery. As more prominent filmmakers openly embrace gaming, we can expect continued cross-pollination between cinematic and interactive storytelling, potentially leading to more ambitious collaborative projects in the coming years.
