Summary
The video game industry has flourished throughout the 21st century, surpassing Hollywood in revenue and profits, making gaming one of the most popular and thriving entertainment mediums. The success of video games has led Hollywood and big studios to look at the medium, with the movie industry beginning to adapt several popular IPs and franchises, allowing for many high-profilegaming icons such as Marioand Sonic to continue their success through cinema.
Even though some video game adaptations have been poorly received by audiences, the success of recentvideo game movieshas accelerated Hollywood’s production of popular franchises. In doing so, many becomehighly anticipatedby video game fans, especially for those hoping to see cherished characters being faithfully adapted. There are many video game movies on the way, but some are more highly anticipated than others.
8Five Nights At Freddy’s 2
The First Movie’s Success Has Resulted In Many Fans Anticipating The Sequel
Since the firstFive Nights at Freddy’sgame was released in 2014, the horror franchise has developed and cultivated a hardcore fandom. Due to the popularity of the ever-growing franchise,Five Nights at Freddy’swas released in 2023, with the movie being panned critically.
Nevertheless, on a $20 million budget, the movie was able to rake in $300m at the global box office thanks in part toits vocal and committed fanbase, which helped generate fanfare and notoriety online through the use of meme culture, resulting in audiences arriving in droves. With the return of Bonnie, Chica, Freddy Fazbear, and Foxy,Five Nights at Freddy’s 2is bound to be highly publicized and anticipated by its engaging fandom that has had an active hand in pushing the franchise to mainstream success.
7Ghost Of Tsushima
A Samurai Epic That Is Sure To Look Beautiful On The Big Screen
With the success of recent PlayStation adaptations such asThe Last of UsandTwisted Metal,Ghost of Tsushimais looking to be the next successful PlayStation story, with the potential live-action adaptation set to release in 2026.
Attached to the project isJohn Wickdirector Chad Stahelski, famed for his incredible action sequences coming from his experiences as a former stuntman, withthe story of the heroic Jin Sakaiset to be placed in the director’s hands. Like the video game, audiences will hope to see a luscious and vibrant Japan as the setting for high-octane samurai action that establishesGhost of Tsushimaas a household franchise in cinema.
6Street Fighter
Fighting Icons Ryu & Chun-Li Are Set To Come To Life In A Live-Action Adaptation
Since the late 80s, Capcom’sStreet Fighterhas, as a video game franchise, ranked amongthe biggest fighting titles, competing with the likes ofMortal KombatandTekken, with its characters such as Ryu and Chun-Li making the franchise notable in the gaming space. Filled with a wide variety of differing characters who add personality and uniqueness to the franchise, it’s only natural that aStreet Fightermovie would eventually come to pass.
Most fans will be hoping the newStreet Fightermovie will be of higher quality than the 1994 version of the same, which received much hate and backlash despite the franchise being in its infancy at the time of release.
5Detective Pikachu 2
A Sequel To The Ryan Reynolds-Voiced Pikachu Movie
The video game and entertainment industry’s biggest franchise,Pokemon,has diversified its content heavily in the last decade, moving on from being a console game to becoming a phenomenon in other mediums. The movie release ofDetective PikachusawRyan Reynolds voice the iconic Pokemon, Pikachu, with the film being received well by audiences, amassing $450m globally.
Although the Nintendo franchise’s sequel has yet to be assigned an official release date, development is underway. It has yet to be confirmed whether Reynolds is returning or not, but it is almost guaranteed that more fan-favorite Pokemon will make an appearance inDetective Pikachu 2.
4A Minecraft Movie
A Jason Momoa-Led Movie That Sees Jack Black Star As Steve
Since its release,Minecrafthas ruled the video game industry, becoming one of the biggest franchises in the world, even outside of gaming.Minecraft’s high player base and coverage through online content and memes have kept the game in the pop culture zeitgeist, with iconic characters such as Steve and Creepers becoming household names.
The newly releasedA Minecraft Movietrailerfeaturing Jason Momoa and Jack Black as Steve received a lukewarm response from most. However, a younger generation ofMinecraftfans will be sure to be looking forward to the live-action adaptation of the child-friendly creative sandbox game.
3Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Speedy Hedgehog Returns In Third Outing To Fight Shadow
To complete the trilogy,Sonic the Hedgehog 3releases at the end of the year, with the famous hedgehog returning to take on Shadow, Sonic’s iconic rival, along with the help of his colorful companions, Knuckles and Tails. SinceSonic the Hedgehogwas released, the franchise has amassed over $700m, with the movies following iconic video game characters as they are placed in the real world.
However, theSonic the Hedgehogmovies' biggest factor in its commercial and critical success has been the creation of a product that is both enjoyable for young moviegoers and older fans ofthe iconicSonicfranchise. Along with its high-profile cast, such as Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba, and Jim Carrey,Sonic the Hedgehog 3is set to be appreciated by fans and critics alike based on the performance of its predecessors.
2The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2
The Iconic Italian Plumber Returns After The Success Of His First Encounter With Bowser
The return of Mario, Luigi, Peach, and many more is sure to be highly anticipated by fans of the ever-iconicvideo game behemoth that is theMariofranchise.The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s release in 2023 was marked with much apprehension. However, the overwhelming fan approval and popularity led to the movie grossing $1.3 billion at the global box office, finishing only behindBarbie.
With Jack Black’s entertaining and the popular Bowser potentially returning, fans eagerly await the next edition of Mario’s adventures, with character additions such as Yoshi only contributing to the sequel’s hype.
1The Legend Of Zelda
Nintendo’s Link And Zelda Will Soon Feature In A Live-Action Adaptation
In all of gaming, no franchise has achieved more critical acclaim thanThe Legend of Zelda, featuring the iconic hero Link, who aims to save Princess Zelda and Hyrule from the clutches of ghastly villains such as Ganondorf. The news of a live-actionThe Legend of Zeldamovie has set the gaming community alight, withLink and Zelda fan castingsgoing viral as the anticipation and hype builds.
With games such asOcarina of TimeandMajora’s Maskpotentially being adapted to the big screen, fans of the blonde-haired, green-outfitted hero of Hyrule are eager to see Link and these acclaimed stories depicted in a different medium.
