The upcoming film adaptation of FromSoftware's "Elden Ring" is reportedly set to become A24's most expensive production, with a staggering budget of nearly $200 million. Directed by Alex Garland, this ambitious project represents a significant departure from A24's typical low-cost film strategy.
Traditionally, A24 has found success by investing in smaller productions that can achieve profitability with modest box office returns. However, the reported budget for "Elden Ring" dwarfs the company's previous most expensive film, "Marty Supreme," which had a production cost of $70 million and grossed $96 million globally. For a film to be considered a box office hit, it generally needs to earn double its production budget, placing the "Elden Ring" adaptation under considerable pressure to perform.
While theatrical releases are crucial for a movie's commercial impact, other revenue streams such as video on demand, Blu-ray sales, and streaming deals also contribute to overall profitability. Nevertheless, the scale of investment in "Elden Ring" suggests a strong expectation for its performance in cinemas.
This move into blockbuster territory for A24 follows the success of "The Backrooms," a film produced on a $10 million budget that grossed over $197 million worldwide. The "Elden Ring" movie, however, is expected to target a more mature audience due to its dark fantasy setting and adult themes, contrasting with the family-friendly appeal of recent successful video game adaptations like "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" and "Sonic the Hedgehog."
Details about the film's plot and scope remain scarce, but A24 has confirmed that Kit Connor, known for "Warfare," and Cailee Spaeny, who starred in "Alien: Romulus" and "Civil War," are attached to the project. The adaptation is slated for a March 2028 release. The landscape of video game adaptations in 2026 has seen varied results, with Zach Cregger's "Resident Evil" receiving praise and commercial success, while "Street Fighter" underperformed at the box office, and "Return to Silent Hill" garnered largely negative reception.