Hollywood's engagement with video game adaptations is reaching a fever pitch, with a surge of announcements signaling a significant boom in the sector. This trend, which saw notable successes in 2026 with films such as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Iron Lung, Resident Evil, and Street Fighter, appears poised to escalate.
Major upcoming adaptations are positioning themselves as significant industry events. A24's Elden Ring film, reportedly with a $200 million budget making it the studio's most expensive production to date, has secured exclusive streaming rights with Amazon. Despite the inherent risks of large-budget fantasy adaptations, the industry is treating this project with considerable weight. Other confirmed projects with release dates through 2028 include The Legend of Zelda, Sonic the Hedgehog 4, Call of Duty, Helldivers, and A Minecraft Movie Squared.
Further solidifying this trend, Netflix is developing a live-action PUBG series with Donald Glover attached to produce, write, direct, and star. Sony is also working on an adaptation of the horror game Mouthwashing, with Karyn Kusama set to direct. On the animation front, PlayStation Productions' Bloodborne movie is nearing director confirmation, and an anime adaptation of Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding series, titled Death Stranding Isolation, is slated for release on Disney Plus next year.
The current surge in video game adaptations can be attributed to several converging factors. The box office success of titles like Sonic the Hedgehog and A Minecraft Movie, coupled with the critical acclaim of TV series such as The Last of Us and Fallout, has demonstrated the commercial viability of game franchises. As the dominance of superhero films wanes, video game properties are emerging as a new rich source of material for Hollywood.
This wave also aligns with a broader shift in filmmaking, characterized by the rise of content creator filmmakers who cater to contemporary audiences. Many emerging directors have backgrounds connected to the video game industry, leading them to pursue game adaptations with studio backing. Rumors suggest that Backrooms director Kane Parsons may be developing a Portal adaptation.
This period marks a significant transformation for Hollywood, mirroring past eras where directors with a strong cultural understanding gained prominence. The increasing integration of video games into mainstream culture is reflected in the industry's current focus, with developers now mirroring the cultural landscape for audiences.