Most Highly Anticipated Video Game Movies

Key Takeaways

Video game movies are highly anticipated after recent successes, leading to the adaptation of popular IP and franchises by Hollywood.
Ghost of Tsushima, Street Fighter, and The Legend of Zelda are among the upcoming highly anticipated video game movie adaptations.
Sequels such as Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Detective Pikachu 2, Sonic The Hedgehog 3, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 are expected to continue their success.

As a lifelong gamer who has spent countless hours exploring the vibrant worlds of video games, I must say that these upcoming movie adaptations have me absolutely thrilled! The fact that these beloved franchises are finally making their way to the big screen is nothing short of a dream come true for gamers like myself.

In the 21st century, the video game industry has experienced remarkable growth and prosperity, outpacing Hollywood in terms of earnings and profits. This has established gaming as a highly sought-after and flourishing form of entertainment. The triumph of video games has caught the attention of Hollywood and large studios, prompting the movie industry to adapt several successful intellectual properties (IPs) and franchises. Consequently, renowned gaming characters like Mario and Sonic have found continued success on the silver screen.

Despite certain video game adaptations receiving unfavorable feedback from viewers, the thriving success of recent movie versions of video games has propelled Hollywood to produce popular franchises at a faster pace. These productions generate significant anticipation among gaming enthusiasts, particularly those eagerly awaiting accurate portrayals of beloved characters. A number of video game movies are in development, but some elicit more excitement than others.

8 Five Nights At Freddy’s 2

The First Movie’s Success Has Resulted In Many Fans Anticipating The Sequel

Most Highly Anticipated Video Game Movies

Release Date: December 5, 2025

Ever since the initial release of “Five Nights at Freddy’s” in 2014, this horror series has nurtured a dedicated fan base that has expanded over time. Given the escalating popularity of the franchise, another “Five Nights at Freddy’s” game was launched in 2023, but unfortunately, the movie version received unfavorable reviews from critics.

Despite having a $20 million budget, the movie managed to gross an impressive $300m worldwide. This was partly due to its dedicated fanbase who contributed to the film’s buzz and popularity online using meme culture. As a result, audiences flocked to see it. With characters like Bonnie, Chica, Freddy Fazbear, and Foxy returning, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is expected to receive significant attention and anticipation from its enthusiastic fanbase, which has played a crucial role in propelling the franchise into mainstream success.

7 Ghost Of Tsushima

A Samurai Epic That Is Sure To Look Beautiful On The Big Screen

Release Date: TBA

Following the success of recent PlayStation titles like “The Last of Us” and “Twisted Metal”, it appears that “Ghost of Tsushima” could be the next big story from PlayStation. A planned live-action adaptation is slated for release in 2026.

Connected to the project is director Chad Stahelski, known for his exceptional action scenes due to his past as a stuntman, who will be overseeing the story of heroic Jin Sakai. Just like the video game, fans eagerly anticipate seeing a rich and vivid Japan as the backdrop for exhilarating samurai action that will solidify Ghost of Tsushima as a widely recognized cinematic franchise, featuring high-intensity scenes.

6 Street Fighter

Fighting Icons Ryu & Chun-Li Are Set To Come To Life In A Live-Action Adaptation

Release Date: March 20, 2026

For over three decades, Capcom’s iconic video game series, Street Fighter, has held a prominent position among popular fighting titles, rivaling games like Mortal Kombat and Tekken. Characters such as Ryu and Chun-Li have made this franchise stand out in the gaming world. Given its rich cast of diverse characters, it was only a matter of time before a Street Fighter movie was produced.

Many enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating that the latest Street Fighter film surpasses the 1994 version in terms of quality, as the earlier adaptation garnered significant criticism and negative reactions, even though the franchise was still in its early stages when it debuted.

5 Detective Pikachu 2

A Sequel To The Ryan Reynolds-Voiced Pikachu Movie

Release Date: TBA

Over the past ten years, the massive franchise known as Pokémon has significantly expanded its content offerings, evolving from a console game into a cultural sensation across various platforms. The movie adaptation of Detective Pikachu, featuring Ryan Reynolds’ voice for the renowned character, Pikachu, has been warmly received by audiences worldwide, grossing an impressive $450 million globally.

While the release date for the sequel of the Nintendo franchise hasn’t been finalized yet, work on it is progressing. It remains uncertain if Reynolds will reappear, but it’s highly likely that additional beloved Pokemon characters will be featured in Detective Pikachu 2.

4 A Minecraft Movie

A Jason Momoa-Led Movie That Sees Jack Black Star As Steve

Release Date: April 4, 2025

Ever since its debut, “Minecraft” has been a dominant force in the video game sector, growing into one of the most prominent franchises globally, transcending the boundaries of just gaming. The massive player community, widespread popularity through digital content and memes have ensured that “Minecraft” remains relevant in popular culture, with figures like Steve and Creepers becoming familiar faces in many households.

As a passionate Minecraft gamer, I must admit that the recent trailer for “A Minecraft Movie” starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black as Steve didn’t exactly set my heart racing. But you know what they say, different strokes for different folks! The younger generation of Minecraft enthusiasts are bound to be thrilled about this live-action adaptation of our beloved child-friendly creative sandbox game. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!

3 Sonic The Hedgehog 3

Speedy Hedgehog Returns In Third Outing To Fight Shadow

Release Date: December 20, 2024

At year’s end, we can expect the final installment of the trilogy, Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Once again, our speedy hero Sonic will confront his arch-nemesis Shadow, with assistance from his vibrant allies Knuckles and Tails. Since its debut, the Sonic franchise has garnered over $700m, as it continues to adapt iconic video game characters into live-action settings.

The primary reason behind the commercial and critical acclaim of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies lies in the production of a film that appeals to both young cinema-goers and longtime enthusiasts of the famous Sonic franchise. Its star-studded cast, featuring stars like Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba, and Jim Carrey, further boosts anticipation for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, with expectations running high given the success of its predecessors.

2 The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2

The Iconic Italian Plumber Returns After The Success Of His First Encounter With Bowser

Release Date: April 3, 2026

Fans of the legendary video game empire known as the Mario franchise eagerly await the reappearance of characters like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and more in the coming future. The upcoming release of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” in 2023 stirred up some anxiety initially. However, the film received massive positive feedback from fans, eventually earning $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office, making it the second highest-grossing movie of that year, just trailing behind “Barbie.

Anticipation builds among fans for the upcoming installment of Mario’s thrilling escapades, especially since Jack Black could entertain us again and Bowser might make a comeback. The addition of characters like Yoshi just fuels excitement for this sequel even further.

1 The Legend Of Zelda

Nintendo’s Link And Zelda Will Soon Feature In A Live-Action Adaptation

Release Date: TBA

Among all video game franchises, none has received more praise from critics than “The Legend of Zelda,” starring the renowned hero Link who embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Zelda and Hyrule from evil antagonists like Ganondorf. The announcement of a live-action “Legend of Zelda” film has sparked excitement within the gaming community, with speculation about possible actors portraying Link and Zelda gaining traction as enthusiasm for the project escalates.

Enthusiasts of the character Link, known for his blond hair and green attire from the realm of Hyrule, are thrilled at the prospect of seeing games like “Ocarina of Time” and “Majora’s Mask” transformed into movies, offering them a new way to experience these highly-regarded tales associated with their beloved hero.

2024-09-12 15:34