Okay, so 2024 really gave us a dud with the Borderlands movie, but thankfully, 2025 was a fantastic year for video game adaptations! A Minecraft Movie was a huge hit with audiences, Until Dawn surprised a lot of us with how good it was and actually made money, and even Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, while not a critical masterpiece, did really well at the box office globally. Looking ahead to 2026, things seem a little less promising overall – I don’t think we’ll see as many hits, or films that are genuinely good. But I’m still expecting a few standout movies to keep things interesting.
As a movie critic, I’ve been keeping a close eye on upcoming adaptations, and 2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for video game movies! We’re looking at seven films based on popular games, five of which will be live-action and two animated. The exciting thing is, all of these projects are drawing directly from established game worlds, so fans should have plenty to look forward to.
7) Iron Lung
Iron Lung tells the story of a prisoner tasked with exploring a strange moon covered in an ocean of blood. His only tool is a very old submarine that’s likely to fall apart during the dangerous journey.
The video game Iron Lung was popular for its suspenseful atmosphere, and the upcoming movie adaptation might capture that same feeling. However, since the film is directed by and stars a YouTuber, expectations aren’t incredibly high. Hopefully, it will be a good surprise when it’s released on January 30th.
6) The Angry Birds Movie 3
The new Angry Birds movie was originally planned for January 2027, but it’s now coming out on December 23rd of this year. It’s…okay, I guess?
The second Sonic the Hedgehog movie was better than the first, though it wasn’t a cinematic masterpiece. Considering it’s part of a series based on a video game primarily made for entertainment, it’s perfectly enjoyable. What makes this one even better is the addition of talented actors like Emma Myers, Keke Palmer, Lily James, Tim Robinson, and Nikki Glaser – we’re excited to see what they bring to the roles!
5) Return to Silent Hill
The new movie, Return to Silent Hill, is based on what many consider the best game in the series, Silent Hill 2, which is promising. However, the previous Silent Hill films weren’t very good – even the first one – so the return of director Christophe Gans isn’t enough to generate a lot of enthusiasm.
I’m really glad to hear Evie Templeton is coming back as Laura in the Silent Hill 2 remake – that’s a great bit of continuity! I’m cautiously optimistic about this one, especially since it’s coming from Cineverse, the folks who made Terrifier 2 and Terrifier 3. They clearly aren’t afraid to push boundaries, so maybe this Silent Hill will be something truly memorable when it hits theaters on January 23rd.
4) Street Fighter
The 1994 Street Fighter movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme is delightfully cheesy, largely thanks to Raul Julia’s performance. The upcoming 2026 version seems to be aiming for the same kind of lighthearted, silly entertainment, and that’s perfectly okay.
The Street Fighter series has always been over-the-top and fun, and the movie trailer suggests more of the same – lots of action with characters flying through brightly lit spaces. Anyone going to see this film should expect exactly that, so it’s fair to ask what else they might be hoping for.
3) The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie successfully captured the feel of the original games. If the sequel can maintain that same spirit, it’s sure to be a hit.
Early trailers, along with the return of familiar directors and actors, suggest the movie will stay true to the spirit of the games. Adapting Super Mario Galaxy was a smart move – it’s a fan favorite and known for being a particularly creative and expansive Mario adventure. Hopefully, that same level of imagination will be reflected on the big screen.
2) Resident Evil
Details are scarce about the upcoming Resident Evil film, but it’s confirmed that Zach Cregger is directing, and he’s again working with Austin Abrams, who starred in his previous project, Weapons. The cast also includes Zach Cherry from Severance and Paul Walter Hauser, known for his commitment to every role, who appeared in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
While some of the Resident Evil films have had their good points, and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City was a decent, fairly accurate reboot, this franchise hasn’t truly reached its potential until now. With director Cregger at the helm, following his success with Barbarian and Weapons, this installment feels poised to be the best Resident Evil movie yet.
1) Mortal Kombat II
As we noted with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the best way to build on a successful video game adaptation is to maintain that positive momentum. Mortal Kombat II was scheduled for release on October 24th, 2025, and early indications suggest it will continue that trend of fun and excitement.
With Karl Urban perfectly cast as Johnny Cage, this is shaping up to be the most exciting video game movie of the year. It promises plenty of action and energy, and it’s bringing back fan-favorite characters like Cage, Baraka, and Shao Kahn.
Read More
- Sony Removes Resident Evil Copy Ebola Village Trailer from YouTube
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- Ashes of Creation Rogue Guide for Beginners
- Can You Visit Casino Sites While Using a VPN?
- Holy Hammer Fist, Paramount+’s Updated UFC Archive Is Absolutely Perfect For A Lapsed Fan Like Me
- The Night Manager season 2 episode 3 first-look clip sees steamy tension between Jonathan Pine and a new love interest
- Stranger Things Creators Reveal Which Series Character Was Always Doomed
- Jujutsu Kaisen’s Sequel Unveils Yuji’s Role in The Okkotsu Family’s Tragedy
- HBO Max Just Added an Acolyte Star’s Horror Comedy (And It’s a Perfect Replacement for Knives Out)
- Every New Anime Coming to Netflix in January 2026
2026-01-13 03:11