Video games have evolved far beyond their pixelated origins. They have become immersive experiences, rich with unforgettable characters, breathtaking environments and emotional stories that stick with us long after we put down the controller (or the keyboard-mouse combo). The gaming world teems with untapped potential for breathtaking cinematic experiences. So, it’s high time ambitious filmmakers and visionary showrunners unleash the power of video game movies and shows.
Let’s be honest, except for a few exceptions, the past attempts at bringing beloved games to the big or small screen have not exactly thrilled audiences (I won’t single out any titles, but we all know they exist). But with the right vision and storytelling finesse, imagine the breathtaking potential of turning iconic titles into compelling video game adaptations.
With stellar CGI, talented casts and a genuine understanding of the source material, video game movies could rival the biggest blockbusters.
Imagine if titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, with its sweeping Western story, or the rich fantasy stories within tales of Baldur’s Gate 3, were brought to life with the same visual finesse, budget and care as the best Hollywood blockbusters enjoy. What if the mysterious wilderness setting of Firewatch or a series like Dragon Age with its power struggles and mythical lore received the prestige TV treatment?
Consider the possibilities: sprawling fantasy scapes, epic space operas, pulse-pounding mysteries and gritty dramas with morally grey characters. There’s a wealth of cinematic gold just waiting to be discovered. Here are a few gems prime for stellar adaptations, a mere hint of the untapped potential in your console or PC library.
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Video game movies and shows: Top titles that should be on the big screen
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Why it should be adapted: A sweeping Western epic focusing on themes of loyalty, morality and the fading American frontier. It’s packed with well-drawn characters, cinematic shootouts and heart-wrenching drama. A miniseries might best capture the sprawling narrative, delving into Arthur Morgan’s complex arc and the relationships within Dutch’s gang.
(Image: Courtesy of Rockstar Games)
Why it should be adapted: Built on the iconic lore of Dungeons & Dragons, Baldur’s Gate 3 offers vast fantasy landscapes, a diverse cast with dark secrets and high-stakes combat against compelling monstrous foes. This world needs multiple seasons to explore its grand story, complex companions, and intricate choices that impact the narrative.
(Image: Courtesy of Larian Studios)
Why it should be adapted: A beautiful yet isolated setting, a captivating mystery, and the relationship building between two characters via walkie-talkie offer a unique premise ripe for the big screen. A movie adaptation of the game could deliver a tense, atmospheric thriller packed with psychological twists and gorgeous wilderness backdrops.
(Image: Courtesy of Campo Santo)
Why it should be adapted: Political intrigue, magic, a vast world teeming with diverse cultures and fantastical creatures — elements perfectly suited for an epic, multi-season adventure. Adapting this game into a TV series will create a nuanced, branching story, as Dragon Age demands the length of a series to explore its moral complexities and beloved characters.
(Image: Courtesy of Electronic Arts)
Why it should be adapted: The Dishonored series delivers supernatural abilities, gritty steampunk aesthetics and thrilling quests steeped in revenge and conspiracy. While both movie and TV show adaptations have potential, a film could deliver a stylish, action-packed assassin adventure. On the other hand, a series could weave a layered tale of intrigue and consequence.
(Image: Courtesy of IMDb)
Why it should be adapted: A vast space opera clubed with unique alien races, epic battles, and morally complex choices with galaxy-altering implications, the game needs the expansive landscape of a TV series. It would help truly portray intergalactic politics, thrilling combats and deeply relatable crew dynamics.
(Image: Courtesy of Electronic Arts)
Why it should be adapted: Open-world adventures, dragon battles, and ancient prophecies set against the stunning Nordic landscape have blockbuster appeal. Skyrim needs to be adapted as a TV series in the vein of Game of Thrones, exploring the warring factions, dragon mythology and political struggles for supremacy.
(Image: Courtesy of Bethesda Softworks)
Why it should be adapted: Sci-fi horror at its finest, where atmospheric tension, grotesque adversaries and a desperate space engineer protagonist make for this survival horror gold. Whether it should be a movie or a TV show depends on the approach. A film could go full-tilt cinematic terror, while a show could delve deeper into the unfolding dread on the doomed space station.
(Image: Courtesy of Electronic Arts)
Why it should be adapted: Its gothic tone and lore-driven world invite a challenging, almost arthouse approach. Dark Souls needs to be a film, capturing the desolate beauty, relentless struggle and fragmented yet rich storytelling style.
(Image: Courtesy of FromSoftware)
Why it should be adapted: This psychological thriller‘s shadowy foes, a disappearing wife, and a writer losing his grip on reality create the perfect foundation. Alan Wake needs to be turned into a TV series. It unfolds like an intriguing mystery, needing the space of a show to unravel its secrets.
(Image: Courtesy of Remedy Entertainment)
Why it should be adapted: Its satire of modern culture, audacious heists and memorable and delightfully volatile characters promise a dark comedic cinematic experience. GTA V should be adapted as a movie — a stylised action-crime romp, showcasing elaborate heists and the intertwining criminal lives of its charismatic leads.
(Image: Courtesy of Rockstar Games)
Why it should be adapted: Four unlikely survivors against hordes of relentless, terrifying infected humans sounds like a recipe for cinematic (or streaming) chaos. Its emphasis on frantic teamwork and desperate, close-quarters combat makes for non-stop, adrenaline-fuelled viewing. Both a Left 4 Dead movie and TV show offer exciting possibilities. A film could deliver an intense, horror-driven survival experience. A series could expand upon the individual characters and explore the gradual breakdown of society.
(Image: Courtesy of Valve)
Why it should be adapted: Its mind-bending world where reality shifts within the mysterious Federal Bureau of Control is brimming with visual spectacle. Add telekinetic abilities, a strong female protagonist, and a cryptic overarching mystery, and you have a supernatural thriller ready to unfold. Control should be adapted as a TV series. There’s a need to unravel the secrets of the Oldest House slowly, giving space for intricate world-building and character development while leaving space for the series’ distinctive action sequences.
(Image: Courtesy of Remedy Entertainment)
Why it should be adapted: This first-person survival horror classic focuses on sheer vulnerability as a journalist unravels the horrifying secrets of a seemingly abandoned psychiatric hospital. You can’t fight back but flee from the horrors. The found-footage style narrative screams for an adapted experience. Either a movie or a TV show could work effectively. A film could be a terrifying and claustrophobic experience. A found-footage style mini-series could slowly increase the mounting dread and unravel the mystery step by step, agonisingly.
(Image: Courtesy of Red Barrels)
Why it should be adapted: This revolutionary sci-fi shooter introduced immersive storytelling, alien foes and bizarre scenarios with groundbreaking physics. Imagine an alien invasion and the desperate resistance, fuelled by exciting sci-fi elements. A sci-fi TV series has the best chance of showcasing the scale of the conflict, exploring the scientific concepts, and building the tension across various settings – much like Halo has been adapted.
(Image: Courtesy of Valve)
Why it should be adapted (again): The rich lore, historical settings and iconic hidden blade and parkour action of the series are brimming with cinematic potential. However, a fresh, focused approach respectful of the games’ intricate themes is needed. It needs a TV series for Assassin’s Creed. A well-paced series could give space to the Animus concept, exploring different historical settings and building layered assassins as more than just archetypes. While a movie could provide thrills, it would have the added burden of overcoming the ghost of the past film.
(Image: Courtesy of Ubisoft)
(Hero and featured image: Courtesy of Rockstar Games)
