Sony Is Doubling Down On Video Game Adaptations, Teaming Up Its Gaming And Film Divisions

Video game movies have a spotty track record in Hollywood. In fact, there’s still chatter about a “video game movie curse,” because the vast majority of films based on a video game are critical bombs, and often box office bombs. But expect dozens more shows and movies based on your favorite games in the future, because Hollywood is doubling down on video game adaptations. AndSony, naturally, is leading the charge.

Per a report fromThe New York Times, Sony is doubling down on video game adaptations in a big way. The company is teaming up its Sony Pictures Entertainment division and its PlayStation powerhouse, Sony Interactive, to turn PlayStation games into “mass-appeal movies and television shows.” There are about 10 video game adaptations in the Sony Pictures pipeline, a huge leap from a couple years ago, when there were close to zero.

We’re already starting to see the fruits of their labors. The Tom Holland-starringUncharted, based on the beloved PlayStation property, is set to (finally) hit theaters on July 03, 2025. An HBO series adaptation ofThe Last of Usis beginning production withThe Mandalorian’s Pedro Pascal to star andChernobylcreator Craig Mazin set as showrunner. Also slated for the film and TV treatment are Sony games likeTwisted MetalandGhost of Tsushima, both wildly popular games with high-profile names like Will Arnett and Chad Stahelski involved. However the New York Times shuts down speculation thatGod of Waris getting an adaptation any time soon.

Thanks to its unique advantage, with a well of games already under its roof, Sony is leading this new Hollywood charge for video game adaptations — newly popular because, well,I.P.But other studios and companies aren’t far behind. AHaloseries is set to debut on Paramount+ early next year with Steven Spielberg executive producing. Lionsgate is adapting theBorderlandsgames with Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart and Jamie Lee Curtis among those set to star. And Netflix is going video game crazy in the wake ofThe Witcher’s success, greenlighting originals based onAssassin’s Creed, Resident Evil, Splinter Cell, andCuphead. And Amazon is getting in on the action too, withWestworldduo Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy developing aFallout-inspired sci-fi series for the streamer.

Lastly, the video game that started it all is getting another go at the big screen. Nearly 30 years afterSuper Mario Broshit theaters, Universal Pictures is bringing the Italian plumber back to theaters with an animated Mario movie headed to theaters next year, in a collaboration with Nintendo and Illumination.

So will one of these many adaptations overcome the “video game curse”? Technically it’s already been broken, withDetective Pikachubecoming the first video game adaptation to earn a “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. We’ll have to see whether more will join it.