4 Upcoming Video Game Movies to Look Out For
Rachelle Hanna | July 24, 2026
In the past several years, the video game film genre has continued to expand its global appeal in ways very few saw coming. The 1993 release of the critical and commercial flop Super Mario Bros. (1993) paved the way for a string of video game movie adaptations that either mimicked the film’s disastrous performance or surpassed it. Notable examples include Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997), Alone In the Dark (2005), and Bloodrayne (2005).
Mario and Luigi from the live-action adaptation, Super Mario Bros. (1993)
Many video game movies in the 90s and 2000s suffered for several reasons. One notable factor was Hollywood executives trying to profit off the name alone without regard for the game itself. Other films suffered due to a lack of insight into how to translate an interactive story into a non-interactive medium. Many more failed for other issues too complex to detail here.
But over time, as the video game industry evolved, its audience also continued to expand. Future filmmakers grew up with video games as an essential part of their lives, allowing them to uncover what makes a faithful, engaging adaptation of their favorite games.
Jump past 2019, and movies like Detective Pikachu (2019), Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), Five Nights at Freddy's (2023), and A Minecraft Movie (2025) are shattering box office records and earning high praise from audiences.
Mario and Luigi from the hit animated film The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
With growing confidence in the appeal of video game movies, studios are announcing many more. Several are arriving in the next few months, while dozens are coming either in the next few years or in an indefinite (but promising) future.
This list will reveal four notable video game movies that are worth keeping an eye on in the next several months. This is based on individuals involved and general fan consensus. Keep reading to find out more!
Key Points
- There are four notable video game movie adaptations coming out amidst the sea of other adaptations that have been announced.
- Resident Evil will be released on September 18th, 2026. Despite the teaser trailer receiving some criticism, director Zach Cregger, a Resident Evil superfan, promises the film to be a love letter to fans.
- Street Fighter will be released on October 16th, 2026. Based on footage released, the film promises to deliver over-the-top chaos in a way that honors the games and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
- Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will be released on March 19th, 2027. Each installment of the franchise has continued to receive greater critical and commercial success, with many noticing the filmmakers’ increased confidence due to the darker tone and greater integration of Sonic lore.
- The Legend of Zelda will be released on April 30th, 2027. The decision to make the film live-action has received criticism from some fans. However, Wes Ball’s unique vision, along with Nintendo’s involvement, leave many assured that the film is in good hands.
1. Resident Evil (Release Date: September 18th, 2026)
Background
Coming this fall is a new take on Resident Evil from director Zach Cregger. He has been getting recent acclaim among horror movie fans for Barbarian (2022) and Weapons (2025), both of which were critical and commercial successes. The movie stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier, as he is caught up in a viral outbreak in Raccoon City while making a delivery.
Screenshot from the teaser trailer, showing Bryan in Raccoon City
This movie follows a long line of previous Resident Evil film and TV adaptations:
- 2000-2023: Multiple animated movies
- 2002-2016: Paul W.S. Anderson’s six-part film series
- 2021: A reboot, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City
- 2022: A short-lived Netflix series: Resident Evil
Still from Biohazard 4: Incubate (2006), an early animated adaptation of Resident Evil
Why Audiences Should Give It A Chance
In an interview with inverse.com, Cregger revealed his plans to tell an original story while remaining “obedient to the lore of the games.” This means characters like Leon, Jill, and Chris will not be appearing, causing criticism from some fans due to concerns that the movie will deviate too much from the games. These concerns grew when the teaser trailer dropped in April 2026, as many felt the film didn’t look like a Resident Evil movie, according to ign.com.
Still from the teaser trailer
However, fan reaction was much more positive upon the release of the official trailer in July 2026. Many highlighted the film’s nightmarish, creepy visuals and heightened sense of anxiety and dread. The greater number of Resident Evil references, including a typewriter, Heavy Field shotgun shells, Bryan scrambling to find ammunition (an essential easter egg, according to Cregger), and a shout-out to Raccoon City, has been especially appreciated by fans.
Still from the official trailer
Cregger has described himself as the “biggest worshipper of the games,” and is adamant about creating a film that serves as a “love letter” to the series, according to variety.com. Given his recent success in horror and the popularity of Resident Evil 7, which similarly introduced Ethan Winters as an everyman trying to survive within the Resident Evil world, fans are paying close attention, and many feel assured that Cregger is going to deliver something wonderful.
See the official trailer below!
2. Street Fighter (Release Date: October 16th, 2026)
Background
From Kitao Sakurai, celebrated for his work on Bad Trip (2021) and The Eric André Show, comes a third attempt at adapting Street Fighter to film, following Street Fighter (1994) and Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009).
Although the 1994 film was commercially successful and has gained a cult following, it was a critical failure at the time of its release. 15 years later, The Legend of Chun-Li (2009) became an even bigger critical and commercial disaster.
Jean-Claude Van Damme in Street Fighter (1994)
Taking place in 1993, the upcoming movie will follow Ken (Noah Centineo) and Ryu (Andrew Koji) as they are recruited by Chun-Li (Callina Liang) to take part in the World Warrior Tournament, uncovering “a deadly conspiracy that forces them to face off against each other and the demons of their past,” according to the film’s official synopsis.
Still from the Street Fighter (2026) official trailer
Why Audiences Should Give It A Chance
Reception to the official trailer, released in April 2026, was very positive. Many agreed that it managed to capture the over-the-top nature of the games. As Kevin Pantoja from screenrant.com notes, “the filmmakers clearly understand that they aren’t setting out to make something that’s Oscar bait. They are out to make a movie that leans into what makes the games great.”
Nicholas Raymond from screenrant.com makes a similar observation. He writes that based on the trailer, the creators aren’t “concerned about telling a grounded story.” Rather, they’re focused on “fully embracing the source material,” including the costumes, hairstyles, moves, superpowers, and unprovoked smashing of cars.
Ken Masters destroying a car in the Street Fighter (2026) official trailer
With today’s advances in CGI, along with the recent success of films like Mortal Kombat (2021) and Deadpool and Wolverine (2024) due to their commitment to “just having fun and delivering on nostalgia,” as Raymond explains, fans are confident that this adaptation will triumph over the Street Fighter films that came before and emerge a champion.
Check out the trailer below!
3. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (Release Date: March 19th, 2027)
Background
Back in April 2019, Sonic’s appearance for his big-screen debut was met with universal disdain. The animators’ focus on realism rather than accuracy resulted in an uncanny human-hedgehog hybrid with long human legs and teeth, and fans wasted no time mocking the film and expressing their anger.
But in a shocking move, Paramount made no attempt to defend their vision. Instead, they listened to their fans and delayed the film to redesign Sonic. Their efforts paid off, as the movie premiered to critical and commercial success in February 2020, spawning two more films, three short films, and a TV miniseries.
Side-by-side comparison of Sonic 2019 (left) and current Sonic (right)
The fourth film will see the return of Sonic, Knuckles, Shadow, and Tails, with Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey reprising their roles, respectively, along with Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik. This time, Sonic teams up with Amy (in her film debut, voiced by Kristen Bell) to face off against a new enemy known as Metal Sonic.
Amy will be making her big-screen debut in Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Why Audiences Should Give It A Chance
Each film installment in the Sonic Cinematic Universe continues to exceed its predecessor’s critical and commercial success. Audiences agree, with many calling the third film the best in the series. Eddie Possehl from collider.com notes that the filmmakers want the Sonic movies to “grow with the audience, deciding to get a bit more mature with its messages and tone,” a detail echoed by many fans.
| Movie | Worldwide Box Office Total* | Critical Reception (Rotten Tomatoes) |
|---|---|---|
| Sonic the Hedgehog | $302,452,077 | 64% (254 reviews) |
| Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | $403,824,597 | 69% (181 reviews) |
| Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | $489,615,622 | 85% (151 reviews) |
* Provided by the-numbers.com, not adjusted for inflation
Possehl also highlights the greater inclusion of Sonic lore with each film, an approach he describes as going “a long way in earning points with fans,” citing its record-breaking opening weekend. Many fans felt that while the first Sonic movie was enjoyable, it played it very safe due to the lack of familiar game references. However, as each movie introduced more elements from the games and took bigger creative risks, fans have noticed and praised the filmmakers’ growing confidence.
Although Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (2027) is faced with high expectations, the series’ continued integration of Sonic lore, handling of beloved characters, and balanced mix of heart and thrill leave many certain that the future of the Sonic series is gonna be great.
From left to right: Tails, Sonic, and Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022). All three charaters are set to return in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (2027).
4. The Legend of Zelda (Release Date: April 30th, 2027)
Background
Despite being one of Nintendo’s most beloved properties, The Legend of Zelda has yet to receive theatrical or TV treatment, aside from a 1989 cartoon (notorious for Link’s catchphrase, “Well, excuse me, princess!”).
The first attempt to produce a Zelda film began in 2007, when Imagi Studios pitched an animated movie to Nintendo. Nintendo rejected Imagi’s offer. A live-action Zelda series began production at Netflix in 2015, but Nintendo scrapped it, allegedly due to a leak from a Netflix employee.
Still from Imagi's 2007 pitch
8 years after the failed Netflix project, Nintendo announced the upcoming film’s development in November 2023. This was months after the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), a commercial smash hit.
The movie will be directed by Wes Ball, known for his work on the Maze Runner film series and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024). It will be produced by Zelda Creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad, who is known for producing several Marvel films.
The movie will star Bo Bragason as Zelda (top) and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link (bottom)
Why Audiences Should Give It A Chance
The film’s announcement has been met with concern and criticism from fans. Many feel that the quiet, exploratory nature of the games won’t translate well into film. Fans also believe that the games’ vibrant, fantastical atmosphere would translate better to animation as opposed to live action. Logan Plant from ign.com explains, “Zelda has never gone after a visual style attempting to look anything like the real world. Zelda looks like a children’s book, and animation is the best choice to do it justice.”
A screenshot from Breath of the Wild, released in 2017
Despite criticism, the decision to cast unknown actors Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Bo Bragason as Link and Zelda, respectively, has been received positively. Carlos Morales from ign.com notes that the decision “will allow the movie to focus on story over marketing,” which is essential given the games’ lesser emphasis on plot, which allows players “the freedom to explore the game’s world and engage with its gameplay.”
In addition, the film–which has recently completed production–was shot in New Zealand. According to Ariadna Pinheiro from bolavip.com, it utilized “some of the same natural locations made famous by The Lord of the Rings trilogy,” leaving many fans assured of the movie’s emphasis on utilizing “real landscapes” as opposed to “overwhelming CGI.”
A wide shot from the film, highlighting the New Zealand landscape
Although an official trailer has yet to be released, Wes Ball is offering a unique vision for the film, hoping to emulate the works of Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki and the “wonder and whimsy” he has brought to films like Spirited Away (2001) and Howl’s Moving Castle (2004). This vision, combined with the precautions Nintendo has famously taken in licensing the film rights to their IP, leaves many Zelda fans assured that the fate of Hyrule is in steady hands.
Still from Miyazaki film Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Release Dates
The success of the video game film genre has continued to see monumental growth since its rocky 1993 beginnings, especially in this decade alone. With incredible talent, strong fan momentum and discussion, and invigorating footage and imagery, these four movies stand a strong chance of continuing the genre’s streak of critical and commercial success, and are worth keeping an eye on as the year continues.
| Movie | Release Date | Director | Main Cast | Plot synopsis (IMDb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Evil | Sept. 18, 2026 | Zach Cregger | Austin Abrams, Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Johnno Wilson | “Follows a hapless courier tasked with delivering a package to a remote hospital. He soon finds himself caught in the middle of an outbreak and must fight through hordes of mutated creatures to survive.” |
| Street Fighter | Oct. 16, 2026 | Kitao Sakurai | Andrew Koji, Noah Centineo, Callina Liang, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoaʻi, Cody Rhodes, Eric André, Jason Momoa | “Street Fighters Ryu and Ken reunite when Chun-Li recruits them for the World Warrior Tournament. As they face a hidden conspiracy, they must confront each other and their past-or face destruction.” |
| Sonic the Hedgehog 4 | Mar. 19, 2027 | Jeff Fowler | Ben Schwartz, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, Kristen Bell, Ben Kingsley, Nick Offerman, Jim Carrey | “Sonic the Hedgehog, accompanied by a new heroine named Amy, faces a new technological rival known as Metal Sonic.” |
| The Legend of Zelda | Apr. 30, 2027 | Wes Ball | Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Bo Bragason | “A live-action adaptation of the video game franchise.” |
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