40 Upcoming Video Game Adaptations: Which Ones Will Actually Make It to the Screen?
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By
Darryn Bonthuys
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Enjoy the seemingly endless comedic guide movie trend; Hollywood is always eager to discover a genre of film it can transform into the next significant cultural phenomenon. Over the years, we have observed films based on video games attempt to reach that status, with varying degrees of success. While adaptations of video games have been around for a while, it’s safe to say that many of these have turned out poorly. A lot of them failed to capture the essence of the original source material and were executed clumsily—even though we will always have a special place for the 1994 Street Fighter film—but recently, we have seen some outstanding adaptations in this genre.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie took the world by storm last year, grossing an impressive sum at the box office, while the Uncharted and both Sonic the Hedgehog films have also thrived. With new intellectual properties to explore, numerous video game films have been released over the last couple of years, and while production is active on several of them, many others appear stuck in the depths of development hell.
We remain hopeful that we will witness some movement on these long-in-development films, but until Hollywood indicates otherwise, here’s an in-depth look at the video game films that will soon appear in your nearby cinema. If there is no confirmed release date or if it is not a sequel, just remember that these might never actually be realized in the end.
1. Outlast
A highly gruesome series of first-person survival-horror games, Outlast is set to hit the big screen as part of a partnership between Lionsgate and developer Red Barrels. Currently in the early stages of development, writer JT Perry—who contributed to the narratives for the games themselves—will be crafting the screenplay.
2. Helldivers
Introduced at CES 2025, Helldivers is one of two projects in development through Sony and its subsidiary Columbia Pictures. Helldivers is, in fact, a spiritual successor to Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers film, set in a future where humanity cherishes freedom and the concept of controlled democracy. The games feature a cheeky sense of humor, and the studio behind it aims to include several A-list celebrities in the film—provided they meet their demise in comically exaggerated scenes.
3. Minecraft
Release Date: April 4, 2025
Minecraft has been recognized as one of the top games for years, and the creative sandbox of blocky characters is preparing for a feature film adaptation. Not many details are currently available on the adaptation, but we do know that it will be directed by Jared Hess (Nacho Libre and Napoleon Dynamite) and will star Jason Momoa and Jack Black. Hess is also aiming to avoid an “ugly Sonic” situation as filming proceeds in New Zealand, in order not to disappoint kids who love the game.
If you missed it, the first Minecraft trailer was released in September, and it’s certainly something special.
4. Watch Dogs
5. Until Dawn
Release Date: April 25, 2025
Based on the 2015 interactive-horror game, an Until Dawn movie is in the works from Shazam director David F. Sandberg. The original game featured a star-studded cast that included Rami Malek, Hayden Panettiere, and Brett Dalton as part of a group of friends who gather at a remote mountain lodge, only to find themselves facing a deadly threat to their survival. You won’t have to wait too long to see the adaptation, as Sony has set an April 25, 2025 release date for Until Dawn. If you missed it, the first teaser for the film showcased a thrilling—and violent—adaptation that captures the pick-your-own-demise gameplay mechanic of the original game.
6. Days Gone
Days Gone was an intriguing—but flawed—first-party game when it debuted on PS4 in 2019, and while it did not achieve the same level of success as Marvel’s Spider-Man or Ghost of Tsushima, it may be better suited for the silver screen. A tale of love, bikers, and zombies in a post-apocalyptic world,
“` the screenplay for this adaptation has been crafted by Sheldon Turner (X-Men: First Class and the Avenue Dwelling remake) and is said to have a contemporary Western ambiance. Sam Heughan (Outlander) is allegedly attached to portray the lead character Deacon St. John.
7. Death Stranding
Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding unfolds in a captivating world where a catastrophic event has almost eradicated humanity, and being caught in the rain spells a torturous demise. It is also exceptionally bizarre, featuring several well-known Hollywood personalities, and has no shortage of thematic elements to delve into. The feature film adaptation was scheduled for release in 2022, and in December 2023, the film and television company A24 officially announced its collaboration with Kojima Productions to bring Death Stranding to life… or death.
Kojima has grand ambitions for this intellectual property, as he is not only interested in the production of the Death Stranding film but is also planning to develop a Death Stranding film universe.
8. Dead by Daylight
If you’re searching for a classic slasher horror movie, keep your eyes open for Dead by Daylight. This long-standing multiplayer horror game has long been considered a love letter to cinematic terror, and its feature film adaptation could potentially be produced by Blumhouse and James Wan (The Conjuring, Insidious).
9. Duke Nukem
Is the world ready for Duke Nukem’s comeback? A remnant of video game history—for both good and questionable reasons—this iconic gunslinger is making his way to cinemas in a film project from the producers of Cobra Kai. This will also be a completely new endeavor compared to the ill-fated Duke Nukem project that was originally set to star John Cena, which was first announced in 2022. Since that time, there has been little communication regarding the project, and no individuals have been confirmed to write, direct, or star in it.
10. Firewatch
Campo Santo’s narrative-driven and solitary adventure title Firewatch may seem like an unconventional choice for a film adaptation, yet producers Snoot Entertainment are eager to bring this interactive art form to the big screen. No further details, such as casting announcements or a tentative release date, have been revealed since the announcement in 2020, but at that time, Campo Santo co-founder Sean Vanaman expressed only high regard for the project and the individuals involved.
11. Five Nights at Freddy’s sequels
If you guessed that a film based on a video game franchise involving murderous animatronic food mascots would go on to break box office records, then we would surely appreciate if you could share your next lottery numbers with us. A sequel to Five Nights at Freddy’s was inevitable, and while it’s still early days, Josh Hutcherson recently stated that the writers are “finalizing the story” for the follow-up. Horror film studio Blumhouse produced the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie, which became the company’s highest-grossing film ever.
12. Ghost of Tsushima
Back in 2020, Ghost of Tsushima released to close out the PS4 era with great flair. A samurai tale with stunning visuals and intense action, the game caught the attention of John Wick director Chad Stahelski and was quickly added to his list of projects. Don’t expect Ghost of Tsushima to hit the big screen anytime soon, as the director is currently occupied with a Highlander reboot featuring Henry Cavill as the iconic swordsman. Stahelski intends to create an “epic” samurai action ambiance while also testing the limits of how far he can “push the color palette” in this endeavor.
We also know that Sony is developing a Ghost of Tsushima anime spin-off, with this adaptation being managed by Demon Slayer studio Aniplex.
13. Gravity Rush
Gravity Rush has successfully escaped the gravitational pull of development hell since it was initially announced in 2022, with work steadily progressing on it. Anna Mastro (Secret Society of 2nd Born Royals) is reportedly the director, and at CES 2024, a complete five…
Moments from the photographs transitioned into visibility during Sony’s press event. In contrast to the anime-inspired game from 2012, this new iteration of Gravity Rush appears to adopt a more realistic approach as it brings the gravity-defying realm of Hekseville to life.
14. Iron Lung
Inspired by the 2022 horror game of the same name created by David Szymanski, the film adaptation of Iron Lung has been successfully written, directed, and produced by Trace Fischback, also known as Markiplier, who will take on a leading role. The film’s release date remains undisclosed, but the teaser trailer undeniably presents a fittingly gruesome aesthetic. Even if you aren’t familiar with the original game, Iron Lung is set within a universe where an occurrence dubbed “The Quiet Rapture” has led to the disappearance of all known stars and habitable worlds. Following the discovery of a vast ocean of blood on a desolate moon, a convict is tasked with exploring the crimson depths from within a dilapidated submarine.
15. Just Cause
Just Cause, a series of open-world video games where character development is secondary to spectacular explosions, serves as a prime platform for a lavishly violent blockbuster packed with an extravagant special effects budget. It’s been quite some time since we’ve heard updates on the project; in 2017, the film was initially set to be directed by Brad Peyton and feature Jason Momoa in the lead role. Ultimately, Peyton exited the project and was replaced by Michael Dowse (Stuber), but since then, communication regarding the venture has been virtually non-existent.
16. Just Dance
Even though the peak of dance films has long passed, there may still be an opportunity for Ubisoft’s delightfully entertaining Just Dance series to shine on the big screen. The most significant development here is that after production company Display Gems acquired the rights to adapt Just Dance in 2019, there has been almost no information regarding the status of this project.
17. The Legend of Zelda
A collaboration between Sony and Nintendo? That’s the current idea, as Sony’s film division has grand ambitions to adapt The Legend of Zelda into a live-action film. Wes Ball, known for Maze Runner, is slated to direct this adaptation of Nintendo’s immensely popular franchise. While the plot details remain under wraps and casting for Zelda and Link has not been revealed, Sony CEO Kenichiro Hirada is already building anticipation, calling it an “incredible tale of adventure and discovery” ahead of its eventual release.
18. Martha is Dead
Do not let the title mislead you; this is not a Batman origin story! In reality, Martha is Dead is a psychological thriller set against the backdrop of Italy during World War II. As the twin sister of Martha, who has recently been discovered drowned and lifeless in a lake, players must unravel a perplexing web of mystery as the Allied war machine advances closer to home. The game’s developer, LKA, is collaborating with UK publisher Wired Productions and the Swedish film production company Studios Extraordinaires for this movie endeavor.
19. Metal Gear Solid
Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ Metal Gear Solid project has been in development for nearly a decade, and it increasingly seems trapped in development hell. Updates have been sparse and infrequent, with the last significant mention of the film occurring in 2022 when Oscar Isaac–who is set to portray Solid Snake–stated that the focus was on finding a fitting narrative to do justice to the iconic game.
20. Mortal Kombat 2
Get ready for round two! The 2021 Mortal Kombat film earned an impressive $84.4 million at the box office, and for its sequel, the original–and surviving–cast will all be returning. Mortal Kombat 2 will once again feature Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Josh Lawson as Kano, Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, and this time, Karl Urban joins them as the audacious Hollywood A-lister Johnny Cage.
While specifics have not yet been disclosed, in a previous interview, director Simon McQuoid hinted that the vibrant realm of Edenia could be explored in the sequel.
21. Pac-Man
We have seen Pac-Man in animated series, taking a prominent role in a Futurama episode, and even as a villain in an Adam Sandler film. Finally, Bandai Namco’s pellet-chomping hero is set for a significant cinematic endeavor. A live-action project based on a unique concept from Sonic the Hedgehog movie producer Chuck Williams has been announced, but no additional details regarding the cast, director, or release date have been provided since the announcement in 2022.
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22. Pokemon: Detective Pikachu sequel
The 2019 release of Detective Pikachu enjoyed significant box office success, raking in an impressive $433 million globally. A follow-up featuring the iconic electric mouse seemed like a sure bet; however, years have passed with minimal details surfacing about this sequel. A spokesperson from Legendary Entertainment confirmed that the film is still “actively being developed,” yet specifics remain more elusive than a mystical Pokemon wandering freely.
23. Poppy Playtime
We are also set to explore a new trend in horror films featuring sinister mascots following the triumph of Five Nights at Freddy’s, and Poppy Playtime is now included in that lineup. The original game takes place in a deserted toy factory populated by murderous toys, with Studio71 overseeing the film adaptation. This studio is well-regarded for its contributions to recent VHS horror films, making it a fitting choice for the unique terror of Poppy Playtime.
24. Portal
It has been quite a long time since there was any movement on Portal, Valve’s ingeniously challenging game of interdimensional puzzles, but producer JJ Abrams wants you to know that the film project is far from dead. At least, it was actively being developed in 2021 when Abrams announced that a script was in progress. Is the movie’s cake a deception? Only time will reveal the truth.
25. Rabbids
It was merely a matter of time before the cute but chaotic Rabbids, the lovable minions of the gaming world, landed a film deal. In 2019, Lionsgate secured the rights to create a film based on Ubisoft’s Rabbids, but, like many other video game adaptations, this project seems to be another gaming intellectual property trapped in a development purgatory, much to the sigh of relief from audiences around the globe.
27. Return to Silent Hill
There are elevated expectations for Return to Silent Hill, as this psychological horror film aims not only to reboot the movie franchise but also to adapt what many fans regard as the best game in the series. Starring Jeremy Irvine and Hannah Emily Anderson, the film is directed by Christophe Gans, who first brought Silent Hill to the big screen in 2006; filming commenced in Germany and Eastern Europe in April 2023.
28. Saints Row
Yet another video game film seemingly trapped in development limbo, there have been no updates on the Saints Row project for several years. At one point, writer Greg Russo mentioned that his script was inspired by The Warriors and Escape from New York, with F. Gary Gray (The Fate of the Furious) set to direct.
29. Sifu
Derek Kolstad, the mind behind John Wick, announced his intention to adapt the intense action game Sifu into a film in 2022, aiming to bring the bone-crushing action of this martial arts saga to the big screen. While the story of a martial arts master seeking vengeance is fairly common in the genre, Sifu adds a unique element: the revenge-driven protagonist possesses a magical talisman that can bring them back to life, but in doing so, they age with each resurrection. Kolstad envisions the film as John Wick mixed with M. Night Shyamalan’s Old, suggesting a captivating action film if it ever gets the green light.
30. Slime Rancher
Slime Rancher is considered one of the loveliest video games available—and one of the highest-rated titles on Steam—thanks to its delightful premise of wrangling adorable blobs on a distant alien planet, resulting in an incredibly entertaining experience. Little is known about this adaptation so far, but we do know that the tale of young rancher Beatrix LeBeau is being developed by Story Kitchen, a production company established by John Wick writer Derek Kolstad.
31. House Channel 5
One of the iconic games of the Sega Dreamcast, Space Channel 5 may seem like an obscure property to adapt into a film, but this quirky game boasts a unique concept that could draw audiences in. The movie adaptation is described as a mix of comedy and dance, detailing the story of a hapless fast-food worker recruited by a freedom reporter from the future to save the world from aliens. How? By harnessing the power of viral dance to save the day. Essentially, TikTok: The Movie.
32. House Invaders
Invaders! From beyond! In 2019, Contemporary Line Cinema announced that the classic Taito arcade game was slated for a film adaptation, but years later, it appears that those opposing extraterrestrials may have gotten lost in a black hole along the way. Mortal Kombat writer Greg Russo was brought on to pen the script back then, but since then, there has been no news regarding the status of this alien invasion project.
33. Stray
Currently in production at Annapur(r)na Animation, Stray is another recent game slated for a silver screen debut in the near future. The original game combined stealth with post-apocalyptic elements, along with the unique twist of controlling an orange tabby cat seeking to find its way home. Along the journey, the cat encounters B12, a flying drone companion who aids the feline in navigating a city filled with robots and parasites.
34. Avenue Fighter
We have seen two live-action Street Fighter films over the years, one so astoundingly bad it has become a cult classic, and the other one is just plain terrible and lacking any meme potential. Will the third attempt do justice to this franchise? Initially, Talk to Me directors Danny and Michael Philippou were attached to this project, but they departed due to scheduling conflicts.
35. Streets of Rage
Yet another project linked to John Wick
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