Top 10 Upcoming Video Game Movie and TV Show Adaptations

In December 2022, Amazon announced that they had greenlighted a TV series based on this best selling video game franchise. Steeped in ancient mythology, the acclaimed “God of War” series follows the epic saga of Kratos, a fictional Spartan who becomes a fearsome and vengeful demigod. The TV adaptation is said to take its inspiration from the later games in the series, like “God of War Ragnarök,” leaning more toward Norse mythology. Although it’s still early days, fans can take heart that the series is in good hands. The series is being conceived and written by the creators of Amazon’s two other hit fantasy series, “The Expanse” and “The Wheel of Time.”

Netflix has been announcing video game adaptations left and right lately. One announcement that’s got gamers salivating is “Horizon 2074.” Since its 2017 release, “Horizon Zero Dawn” has dazzled players and critics alike with its open world and thrilling visuals. This action RPG tells the story of a post-apocalyptic world menaced by robots, and has since been followed by an acclaimed sequel, “Horizon Forbidden West,” and a spin-off, “Horizon Call of the Mountain.” The upcoming Netflix series will take place both within the timeline of the games and in the past, possibly detailing the fall of civilization leading up to the events of the series.

Historical fiction fans and gamers alike should keep an eye out for this action-adventure epic set amid the turmoil of 13th Century feudal Japan. “Ghost of Tsushima” follows a samurai named Jin Sakai, whose code as a warrior is tested by an invading Mongol army. Although a feature film adaptation was announced in 2021, we may have to wait a little longer than expected to see this adventure tale on the big screen. The project’s director, Chad Stahelski, is busy with his “John Wick” series, but he is hopeful his “Ghost of Tsushima” adaptation will go ahead. Stahelski says a project of this magnitude takes time to get right. Until then, fans will just have to be patient.

This hybrid sci-fi/historical fantasy franchise of political intrigue and hired assassins has enough mainline games and spin-offs to power an entire fleet of TV shows. While still in early development at Netflix, the upcoming TV version may be just what fans need to forget the failed 2016 feature film adaptation starring Michael Fassbender. That movie turned out to be one of the year’s biggest box office bombs. Although the initial announcement reported “Vikings: Valhalla” showrunner Jeb Stuart would be involved, he left the project in January 2023. It’s early days, though, and the project still seems like a go at Netflix.

Gaming’s favorite grave robbing adventurer is coming back to screens. Multiple screens, in fact. A Hayley Atwell-voiced Netflix anime adaptation has been in the works since at least 2021. However, in early 2023, it was announced that “Fleabag” creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge is reportedly developing a live action series for Amazon, with a possible shared universe film and video game tie-in to follow. If both planned projects go forward, it’s needless to say that fans can probably expect two very different takes on the Lara Croft character.

Considering how much the original games deliver on the comedy, the hilarious ensemble of the “Borderlands” movie is not such a surprise. But what is surprising is just how stacked the cast is, with heavy hitters like Cate Blanchett, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black starring as beloved franchise characters. Directed by horror maestro Eli Roth and co-written by “The Last of Us” screenwriter Craig Mazin, shooting on the “Borderlands” film completed in 2021. However, after test screenings in November 2022, it was announced that “Deadpool” director Tim Miller would oversee two weeks of reshoots. Whether this is cause for concern or just the norm, on paper, “Borderlands” seems like it has the potential to defy expectations for video game adaptations.

This long-running, post-apocalyptic RPG series tells the story of an alternate reality ravaged by nuclear war. Written and developed by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan, the duo behind HBO’s “Westworld” adaptation, Amazon’s “Fallout” TV series is set to release in late 2023 or 2024. Although little is known about the plot, the casting and the few on-set images we’ve gotten seem promising. After the recent success of “The Last of Us,” fans seem more hopeful than ever that a TV series may be the way to capture all the complexities and thrills of a beloved gaming title.

First person shooters and RPGs may feel like natural choices for screen adaptations because they’re naturally cinematic. They have storylines and character arcs. For that reason, genres like racing games are underrepresented among previous video game adaptations. But “Gran Turismo,” due for release in August 2023, is taking a more meta approach. The film will tell the story of real-life player Jann Mardenborough, a British “Gran Turismo” player who went on to become an actual race car driver. With this fresh approach, stars like David Harbour and Orlando Bloom, and the artistic talents of “District 9” director Neill Blomkamp, “Gran Turismo” could be the movie that makes racing games bankable on the big screen.

The most surprising thing about this upcoming TV series is that it didn’t happen sooner. First released in 1995, the legendary “Twisted Metal” franchise was originally scheduled for a 2012 feature film release, but the project was axed for budgetary reasons. Now, a decade later, Peacock is set to air a TV adaptation of the demolition derby style game this year. “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” star Anthony Mackie will take the reins as series protagonist John Doe, as he gets into violent car fights all across a post-apocalyptic landscape. It sounds pretty epic, even if it does remind us of the “Mad Max” movies. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Netflix Has Ordered an Animated Series Based on the Espionage-Themed Franchise

Netflix Is Developing a Cinematic Universe Based on This Philosophical First Person Shooter

Yet Another Animated Netflix Adaptation, This Time From “Castlevania” Producer Adi Shankar

The Internet remains divided over this movie, and it hasn’t even come out yet! On the one hand, it has some seriously impressive voice talent behind it. On the other hand, fans are skeptical as to whether or not Chris Pratt can pull off the voice of the beloved Nintendo icon. At least the makers behind this one made the smart choice to keep it animated, unlike some other movie adaptations we could name. There’s reason to think it could be a great success or a bomb, but we’ll have to wait until April to see which column this movie falls into.