12 Video Games That Deserve Movie or TV Adaptations

August 30, 2026 - 10:06

With Hollywood finally cracking the code on video game adaptations, the floodgates are open. We have seen The Last of Us, Fallout, and the Super Mario Bros. Movie all become massive hits. That means it is only a matter of time before studios start digging deeper into the back catalog. Here are twelve games that are practically begging for a movie or TV treatment.

First up is Red Dead Redemption 2. The story of Arthur Morgan and the dying Wild West is already structured like a prestige drama. It has complex characters, moral choices, and a slow burn that would fit a multi-season HBO show perfectly. Then there is BioShock. The underwater city of Rapture is a visual goldmine, and its themes of objectivism and genetic modification are more relevant than ever. A limited series could explore the fall of Andrew Ryan without rushing the horror.

For something more action packed, consider Control. The Federal Bureau of Control is a surreal, shifting office building full of paranormal objects. It has the weirdness of a David Lynch film mixed with the action of a superhero movie. Similarly, Disco Elysium would be a strange but brilliant choice. It is a detective story where the main character talks to his own skills, and the dialogue is so sharp that it could work as a dark comedy series.

On the sci-fi side, Mass Effect is the obvious pick. The galaxy is huge, the alien races are distinct, and Commander Shepard's journey is a classic space opera. But it needs a big budget and a clear plan, not a rushed two hour movie. Another option is Horizon Zero Dawn. A post apocalyptic world where robot dinosaurs roam and humanity lives in tribes is a visual spectacle that would look incredible on screen.

For horror fans, Until Dawn is a slasher movie in game form. It follows a group of teens at a remote cabin, and the branching story could be adapted into a tense, choose your own adventure style series. Dead Space is another strong contender. The cramped corridors of a derelict spaceship full of necromorphs would be terrifying in a film, especially with practical effects.

On the lighter side, Psychonauts is a colorful platformer about entering people's minds. It has the creativity of a Pixar movie but with a more adult sense of humor. And for pure spectacle, God of War, specifically the 2018 version, tells a father son story set against Norse mythology. It is emotional, brutal, and has a clear arc that would make a great movie trilogy.

Finally, we have Portal. The puzzle mechanics are iconic, but the real story is about GLaDOS, a passive aggressive AI. A short film or a dark comedy series about the Aperture Science facility would be hilarious and unsettling. And last but not least, The Legend of Zelda. It has been talked about for years, and with the success of other Nintendo properties, a live action take on Link's adventure could finally work if it leans into the epic fantasy and the quiet moments.

These games all have one thing in common: strong stories and memorable worlds. The hard part is already done. Now someone just needs to pick up the controller and press start.