Why Hollywood is flooding screens with video game adaptations
The film and television landscape is witnessing a surge in video game adaptations, fueled by established fan bases and enhanced narratives. Prime Video's Fallout garnered several Emmy nominations, while Mortal Kombat 2 debuted in May to favorable reviews. Netflix has unveiled a new season of Devil May Cry and a trailer for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2. Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog franchise continues to achieve record-breaking success, and a new Street Fighter movie is scheduled for release in October. Upcoming projects include Tomb Raider featuring Sophie Turner, Life is Strange, God of War with Ryan Hurst, and The Legend of Zelda. Additionally, Netflix is working on BioShock, Assassin's Creed, a live-action Gears of War, and a Persona series. Successful adaptations like Sonic and Arcane have demonstrated their potential, prompting further developments.
Key facts
- Prime Video's Fallout adaptation earned multiple Emmy nominations.
- Mortal Kombat 2 released in May 2025 to strong audience reviews.
- Netflix released a new season of Devil May Cry and a trailer for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2.
- Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise continues breaking records.
- A Street Fighter film is coming to cinemas in October 2025.
- Tomb Raider on Prime Video stars Sophie Turner as Lara Croft.
- Life is Strange on Prime Video stars Tatum Grace Hopkins as Max Caulfield and Maisy Stella as Chloe Price.
- God of War on Prime Video stars Ryan Hurst as Kratos.
- Nintendo is working with Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures on a Legend of Zelda adaptation.
- Netflix is developing BioShock, Assassin's Creed with Ubisoft, live-action Gears of War, and live-action Persona series.
- Story Kitchen is adapting The Drifter from Melbourne-based studio Powerhoof.
- Other adaptations in development include Horizon, Ghost of Tsushima, Sleeping Dogs, It Takes Two, Just Cause, Sifu, Streets of Rage, Split Fiction with Sydney Sweeney, and Vampire Survivors.
- Video games have become mainstream with millions of daily players worldwide.
- Game storytelling has matured significantly since the 1990s, offering richer narratives.
- Successful adaptations like Sonic, Mortal Kombat, Castlevania, Arcane, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners have spurred further projects.
Entities
Artists
- Sophie Turner
- Tatum Grace Hopkins
- Maisy Stella
- Ryan Hurst
- Sydney Sweeney
- Milla Jovovich
- Angelina Jolie
- Leah J. Williams
- Kane Parsons
Institutions
- Prime Video
- Netflix
- Paramount
- Nintendo
- Columbia Pictures
- Sony Pictures
- Ubisoft
- Story Kitchen
- Powerhoof
- Dontnod Entertainment
- Hazelight Studios
- Studio Trigger
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- ScreenHub
- ArtsHub
Locations
- Australia
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Hollywood