Video game adaptations are no longer a side project for Hollywood. In 2026, the lineup includes horror, action, animation, and prestige TV, with several major game series already confirmed for release this year and a few more set for 2027 or still in development. The 2026 slate includes releases such as Iron Lung, Return to Silent Hill, Fallout season 2, Mortal Kombat II, the next Mario movie, Resident Evil, Street Fighter, and The Angry Birds Movie 3. Beyond that, projects based on The Legend of Zelda, Elden Ring, Death Stranding, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Ghost of Tsushima are also on the way.
Game adaptations confirmed for 2026
1. Iron Lung — January 30, 2026
Iron Lung was released in theaters on January 30, 2026. It stood out from the rest of this year’s video game adaptations because it came from a much smaller indie horror game rather than a massive AAA franchise. Based on David Szymanski’s game, the film kept the same claustrophobic premise, with much of the tension built around isolation, confinement, and whatever might be waiting outside the submarine. It was also notable because Markiplier directed and starred in the project, giving it a very different kind of audience pull than a traditional studio-backed adaptation.
2. Return to Silent Hill — January 23, 2026
Return to Silent Hill was released in US theaters on January 23, 2026. The film is based on Silent Hill 2, so it centers on James Sunderland returning to Silent Hill after receiving a letter connected to Mary, the woman he lost. It also brings in key figures and imagery tied closely to the game, including Maria, Laura, Eddie, and Pyramid Head, which gave fans a much clearer sense of what part of the series this adaptation was drawing from. That direct connection to one of the most beloved Silent Hill games made it one of the most recognizable horror adaptations of early 2026.
3. Fallout season 2 — December 16, 2025 to February 3, 2026
Fallout season 2 premiered on December 16, 2025 and finished airing on February 3, 2026, so part of its run carried into 2026. This season was especially notable because it pushed the series into New Vegas, one of the most beloved settings in the franchise, while continuing the stories of Lucy MacLean, Maximus, and The Ghoul. It also brought Robert House into the show, giving the season a much stronger direct connection to Fallout: New Vegas. That made season 2 feel like a bigger payoff for longtime fans who wanted to see more familiar locations, factions, and characters from the games.
4. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — April 1, 2026
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie released on April 1, 2026 in the US, with additional markets rolling out later in the month. As the follow-up to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, it looks like Nintendo and Illumination are taking Mario into a much more space-focused setting this time, with characters such as Rosalina, Yoshi, Bowser, Bowser Jr., Toad, and Princess Peach all confirmed to appear. That gives the movie a broader cast and a more distinctly Galaxy-era feel than the first film. For Nintendo, this is easily one of the biggest game adaptations of 2026 because it builds on one of the most successful video game movies ever while pulling in more recognizable Mario characters and worlds.
5. Mortal Kombat II — May 8, 2026
Mortal Kombat II is scheduled to hit theaters on May 8, 2026. As the sequel to the 2021 film, it expands the roster in a way that is much closer to what fans expect from the games, bringing in characters such as Johnny Cage, Kitana, Shao Kahn, and Baraka while continuing with returning fighters like Cole Young, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sonya Blade, and Liu Kang. That larger lineup gives the sequel a much more recognizable Mortal Kombat identity than the first film had at times. For fans of fighting game adaptations, this is easily one of the biggest releases on the 2026 calendar.
6. Street Fighter — October 16, 2026
The new Street Fighter movie is set to release on October 16, 2026. Rather than centering on just one fighter, the film appears to lean into a much broader tournament-style setup, with Ryu and Ken Masters being recruited by Chun-Li for the World Warrior tournament. From there, the story expands into a much bigger roster that includes figures such as M. Bison, Guile, Akuma, Dhalsim, Balrog, Vega, Zangief, E. Honda, and Cammy. That gives the adaptation a much stronger connection to the actual identity of Street Fighter as a character-driven fighting franchise, rather than just using the name and a few familiar faces.
7. Resident Evil — September 18, 2026
Zach Cregger’s new Resident Evil film is scheduled to release on September 18, 2026. Unlike some earlier adaptations that tried to build directly around the games’ better-known heroes, this version appears to follow Bryan, a medical courier, alongside characters including Carl, Max, and others in what sounds like a new story set within the franchise’s horror framework. That makes this version especially interesting because it seems to be taking a more original route while still aiming to honor the tone and fear that made Resident Evil so popular in the first place. With Cregger attached, this is easily one of the more closely watched horror game adaptations on the 2026 schedule.
8. The Angry Birds Movie 3 — December 23, 2026
The Angry Birds Movie 3 is set to release on December 23, 2026. The film brings back core figures like Red, Chuck, Silver, and Bomb, while also expanding the story with a younger generation through Red and Silver’s son. That gives the third movie a more family-focused setup while still keeping the characters most people associate with the series front and center. Compared with the darker and more action-heavy game adaptations coming in 2026, this one stands out as a lighter animated release aimed at a much broader audience.
Upcoming video game films
1. The Legend of Zelda — May 7, 2027
Nintendo’s live-action The Legend of Zelda movie is currently scheduled to release on May 7, 2027. Nintendo has officially confirmed that the film is being produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad, directed by Wes Ball, and co-financed by Nintendo and Sony Pictures. Filming had already begun by early 2026, which makes this one of the biggest game adaptations currently locked in beyond this year. Since Nintendo has not officially confirmed story details or cast information yet, the main draw for now is simply that one of its most important franchises is finally getting a live-action film.
2. Elden Ring
An Elden Ring movie is officially in development, though it does not have a release date yet. Bandai Namco and A24 confirmed the live-action adaptation in May 2025, with Alex Garland attached to write and direct and George R. R. Martin involved as a producer. Since no cast or story details have been officially announced, the biggest confirmed draw right now is simply that one of the most acclaimed fantasy games of the decade is getting a major film adaptation.
If you want a refresher on the most powerful weapons from Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree make sure to check out our article! Hopefully, some of these weapons will make an appearance in the Elden Ring movie.
3. Death Stranding
A live-action Death Stranding movie is officially in development, but it does not have a release date yet. Kojima Productions and A24 announced the project in December 2023, and by April 2025 it was confirmed that Michael Sarnoski would write and direct the film. Kojima has also said this adaptation is not meant to be a direct one-to-one retelling of the game, and later updates indicated it would tell an original story set in the Death Stranding universe. For now, that makes it one of the more interesting upcoming game adaptations because it is confirmed, high-profile, and still creatively hard to predict.
4. Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is officially on the way, though Paramount has not yet shared a full plot synopsis. The studio has publicly included the film in its 2027 slate, which keeps the franchise moving after the box office success of the earlier movies. Since no story details or new cast additions have been officially confirmed yet, the main takeaway is simply that Sonic remains one of the safest bets in video game cinema right now. Among the upcoming adaptations beyond 2026, this is one of the clearest franchise sequels already locked in.
5. Ghost of Tsushima
A Ghost of Tsushima adaptation is still in development, though it does not have a release date yet. The live-action film was officially announced by PlayStation Productions and Sony Pictures, with Chad Stahelski attached to direct, and later updates confirmed Takashi Doscher as the writer. Separately, Ghost of Tsushima: Legends was announced as an anime series for 2027, so the franchise now has more than one adaptation project in the works. For now, the safest confirmed takeaway is that Ghost of Tsushima remains a major PlayStation property being actively developed for the screen, even if the live-action movie itself is still without a date.
Conclusion
Video game adaptations are clearly not slowing down in 2026. This year’s lineup already includes everything from horror projects like Iron Lung and Return to Silent Hill to bigger franchise releases such as Mortal Kombat II, Resident Evil, and the next Mario movie, while TV continues to stay in the mix with Fallout season 2.
What makes the trend more interesting is that it is not stopping with this year. Major projects based on The Legend of Zelda, Elden Ring, Death Stranding, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Ghost of Tsushima are already in development or dated for 2027, which shows just how committed studios and publishers have become to turning game worlds into movies and TV series.
At this point, game adaptations are no longer a novelty. They are becoming a regular part of the release calendar, and 2026 is shaping up to be another busy year for anyone who wants to see which franchises make the jump from controller to screen next. And for anyone who wants to play these games before watching their big-screen or TV versions, having the right hardware matters.
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FAQ
What video game movies are coming out in 2026?
Some of the biggest video game movies scheduled for 2026 include Mortal Kombat II, Resident Evil, Street Fighter, The Angry Birds Movie 3, and Nintendo’s next Mario movie. Iron Lung and Return to Silent Hill also released earlier in the year.
What video game TV shows are releasing in 2026?
One of the biggest game-based TV releases tied to 2026 is Fallout season 2, which premiered on December 16, 2025 and finished airing on February 3, 2026. That means part of its run carried into 2026.
Is The Legend of Zelda movie coming in 2026?
No. The live-action The Legend of Zelda movie is currently scheduled for May 7, 2027, not 2026.
Is the Elden Ring movie confirmed?
Yes. A live-action Elden Ring film is officially in development through Bandai Namco and A24, with Alex Garland attached to write and direct, though it does not have a release date yet.
Is the Death Stranding movie confirmed?
Yes. Kojima Productions and A24 officially announced a Death Stranding film, and Michael Sarnoski was later confirmed to write and direct it. It does not have a release date yet.
When is Sonic the Hedgehog 4 coming out?
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is part of Paramount’s 2027 slate. The studio has not yet shared many story details, but the sequel is officially on the way.
Is Ghost of Tsushima getting a movie or a TV show?
Both kinds of adaptation are in the works. The live-action Ghost of Tsushima film remains in development, and Ghost of Tsushima: Legends has also been announced as an anime series for 2027.
Why are there so many video game adaptations now?
Studios are increasingly treating games as major source material for film and TV because gaming franchises already come with large audiences, recognizable worlds, and built-in demand. The 2026 and 2027 slate shows that publishers and studios now see adaptations as a regular part of franchise expansion rather than a one-off experiment.
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