Video game adaptations on big and small screens are experiencing a true boom, as film and television studios recognize the potential of these stories that gather millions of fans around the world. Whether it's action blockbusters or deeply emotional series, these adaptations in 2024 and the coming years bring unique stories with popular characters in a new light.
Below, we present an overview of the most anticipated film and series adaptations of games that have already captivated or are yet to captivate the audience.
1. "The Last of Us" (series, HBO Max)
One of the most exciting series in recent years, "The Last of Us," is based on the extremely popular game developed by Naughty Dog. The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where human civilization faces the threat of infected creatures known as "Infected," which are the result of a fungal epidemic. The main characters, Joel and Ellie, represent two generations fighting for survival in this harsh environment. Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, becomes the protector of young Ellie (Bella Ramsey), who carries the potential for finding a cure.
The first season of the series, which premiered in January 2023, received extremely positive reviews from critics and audiences. Many praised the deep emotional connection between the characters and the way the series explores themes of loss, love, and survival. In addition to the outstanding acting, the script and production are credited for the high level of quality, and the series is often compared to top-tier television dramas. HBO has already confirmed a second season, expected in 2025, indicating that the audience will have much more to see from this fascinating world.
2. "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" (film, Paramount Pictures)
Following the great success of the first "Sonic the Hedgehog" film from 2020, the sequel "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" premiered in April 2022. This film brings new exciting experiences to the world of the speedy hedgehog who faces the familiar foe, Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), and his new partner Knuckles, played by Idris Elba. The plot revolves around Sonic's struggle to protect the planet from Robotnik's evil scheme, with the help of his new friend, Tails.
The film achieved great commercial success, and the reviews were mostly positive. Many highlighted the humor, action sequences, and visual effects as key elements that make this film enjoyable for all ages. "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" performed excellently at the box office, and due to the film's popularity, a third installment has already been announced and is in development, with a planned release in December 2024. This franchise shows that video games can be successfully adapted into film series that attract a wide audience.
3. "Uncharted" (film, Sony Pictures)
The film "Uncharted," based on the popular video game series by Naughty Dog, was released in February 2022. Starring Tom Holland as Nathan Drake, a young adventurer exploring mysteries and lost treasures around the world. He is joined by Mark Wahlberg as Sully, Nathan's mentor. The film's plot combines elements of action, adventure, and puzzles, following Nathan's journey through dangerous situations and hostile characters.
Although critics were divided regarding the film, many praised Tom Holland for his energy and chemistry with Wahlberg. The film attracted the attention of audiences, especially those who grew up playing the Uncharted series. At the box office, "Uncharted" was successful, grossing over $400 million, which opened the possibility for a sequel. Producers are already considering further installments, and fans hope that future films will delve deeper into the stories from the games.
4. "Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City" (film, Screen Gems)
This film, released in November 2021, represents a reboot of the "Resident Evil" franchise. The plot returns to the roots of the games, set in Raccoon City, where the evil unleashed by the Umbrella Corporation causes disaster among the residents. The main characters, including Claire Redfield (Kaya Scodelario) and Leon S. Kennedy (Avan Jogia), try to survive while fighting against zombies and other biological threats.
"Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City" received mixed reviews, with some praising the return to the original atmosphere of the games, while others criticized the lack of depth in characters and plot. Despite the criticism, the film attracted fans of the series and recorded solid numbers at the box office. Future projects from this franchise are expected to continue exploring the world of "Resident Evil" with new approaches and ideas.
5. "The Witcher" (series, Netflix)
Premiered in December 2019, "The Witcher" series is based on the popular book by Andrzej Sapkowski and the video game of the same name. Henry Cavill stars as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter in a fantasy world full of monsters, wizards, and political intrigue. The series explores Geralt's struggle with fate, friendship, and complex moral choices as he faces enemies and obstacles along his path.
The series quickly became a hit among audiences, and critics praised Cavill's performance and the richly developed world. The second season of the series, which premiered in December 2021, continued to receive positive reviews, the third season was received even better than the previous ones, and the fourth season is announced for 2025. Netflix plans to expand "The Witcher" universe through spin-off projects, including animated films and series, indicating that interest in this franchise remains high.
6. "The Legend of Zelda" (film, Nintendo)
One of the most exciting projects in the world of film adaptations of games, the live-action film "The Legend of Zelda," has garnered significant attention since it was announced last year. Nintendo confirmed in its financial report that the release is planned for "before 2030." Despite the vague date, this announcement reveals Nintendo's ambitious long-term plans. Like "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" (2023) and the upcoming sequel, the Zelda film represents a key part of Nintendo's strategy to expand its audience and attract new generations of players through film projects.
The film is produced by Nintendo and Sony Pictures, with Wes Ball, known for the successful "The Maze Runner" trilogy and the upcoming "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" (2024), directing. Ball is expected to bring his expertise in directing big blockbusters to faithfully capture the spirit of this iconic series on the big screen. The cast is not yet known, nor are the details about the plot. However, given that "The Legend of Zelda" has had a lasting impact on the video game industry since 1986, the challenge of adapting this story is of particular significance. The key to the film's success will be finding the balance between honoring the rich heritage of the game and meeting the expectations of both old and new audiences.
7. Return to Silent Hill (film, Konami)
Return to Silent Hill is an upcoming psychological horror film directed by Christophe Gans, who co-wrote the script with Sandra Vo-Anh and William Josef Schneider. The main roles are played by Jeremy Irvine and Hannah Emily Anderson, and the film is based on the cult classic Silent Hill 2, serving as a sort of reboot of the franchise from 2006-2012.
Gans, who directed the original Silent Hill in 2006, returns to this dark world with a new vision, inspired by the legacy of the late producer Samuel Hadida. Over the years, Gans's approach has changed, and this time the goal is to create a more modern and psychologically deeper version of Silent Hill. The script was developed in collaboration with Konami Digital Entertainment, drawing inspiration from the myth of Orpheus – the story follows James Sunderland, who travels through a hellish town to save the love of his life.
This project has also prompted Konami to revive the Silent Hill series, which has been in hibernation since 2015, along with the announcement of a remake of Silent Hill 2 by Bloober Team. At the beginning of the work on the first film in 2006, Gans wanted to adapt Silent Hill 2 specifically because he considered it the most emotional part of the series, calling it "tragic and romantic, inspired by the myth of Orpheus." However, he felt that the mythology of the series needed to be established first, which is why the film was based on the first game.
8. Fallout (series, Bethesda)
Fallout is an American post-apocalyptic drama series created for Amazon Prime Video by Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet, based on the popular RPG series created by Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky. The series stars Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Kyle MacLachlan, Moisés Arias, Xelia Mendes-Jones, and Walton Goggins.
Amazon acquired the rights for a live-action adaptation in 2020, and the series was announced in July of the same year. The production team includes Kilter Films' Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, while Bethesda Game Studios, the creators of the games, are also involved in the production. The first three episodes were directed by Nolan, while Todd Howard, producer and director of several games from the Fallout series, joined as an executive producer alongside Nolan and Joy. Robertson-Dworet and Wagner were hired as showrunners in January 2022, and in February and March, the roles for Goggins and Purnell were confirmed.
Fallout premiered on Prime Video on April 10, 2024. The series received mostly positive reviews from viewers and fans, praising the performances (especially Purnell, Moten, and Goggins), writing, visuals, production, and fidelity to the source material. In April, the series was renewed for a second season and was nominated for 16 Primetime Emmy Awards, including categories for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Goggins.
9. Minecraft (film, Microsoft)
Minecraft is an upcoming adventure comedy film based on one of the most popular games of all time. Directed by Jared Hess, known for Napoleon Dynamite, the screenplay was written by Chris Bowman and Hubbel Palmer. The main cast includes Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Eugene Hansen, and Jennifer Coolidge.
The first plans for a film adaptation were announced back in 2014 when Mojang Studios began discussions with Warner Bros. Pictures about developing the project. After several changes in the directing and writing teams, including Shawn Levy and Rob McElhenney, Hess finally took over the project in 2022, with support from Legendary Entertainment. The main roles were assigned in early 2023, and production wrapped up in April 2024 in New Zealand. The first teaser, revealing the visual style of the film, was released in September 2024.
The Minecraft film is set to be released on April 4, 2025, and will be tailored for family audiences with an emphasis on humor and adventure, paying homage to the open world and creativity of the original game.
10. Devil May Cry (Anime, CAPCOM)
Devil May Cry is an upcoming animated series produced by Studio Mir, with Adi Shankar as the showrunner. The series, announced back in 2018, finally entered production in 2022, with a premiere scheduled for April 2025 on Netflix.
The project was first revealed by IGN in an exclusive interview with Shankar, known for the Netflix series Castlevania, who stated that he acquired the rights to Devil May Cry to ensure that "Hollywood doesn't mess it up this time." The series will be set in the so-called Bootleg Multiverse, Shankar's creative universe that connects adaptations of various franchises.
The script is written by Alex Larsen, known for his work on the series Yasuke and Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, while the first season will consist of eight episodes with a planned multi-season narrative arc. Fans will be able to see their favorite characters such as Dante, Vergil, and Lady, while production on Capcom's side is overseen by Hiroyuki Kobayashi, the producer of the original Devil May Cry game and the 2007 Japanese animated series.
Netflix showcased the first teaser trailer in September 2023 during its Drop 01 animation showcase, and a new teaser trailer from 2024 reveals the voice role of Johnny Yong Bosch as Dante, further raising expectations for this adaptation of one of the most famous hack-and-slash games of all time.
