Studios have long struggled to get video game adaptations just right — until recently. With the widespread commercial success of silver-screen game adaptations like Sonic the Hedgehog and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, video game lovers can find inspired, innovative programming that’s true to its source.
Whether heralded for honoring source material, killer casting, or stellar storytelling, these small-screen adaptations pave the way for more of our favorite video games to expand their universes and reach new audiences.
The Last of Us (2023 | MAX)
MAX’s The Last of Us quickly became the blueprint for game adaptations upon its release. Viewers follow Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones; The Mandalorian) and Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) as Joel and Ellie, respectively, as they navigate America following a catastrophic fungal infection. The show, beloved by critics and audiences, became the first game adaptation to sweep awards season. The program racked up numerous award nominations, including 24 Primetime Emmy Awards noms.
Arcane (2021 | Netflix)
In Arcane, Netflix’s animated League of Legends adaptation, follow Zaunite siblings as they endure conflict between their downtrodden home and the rich and powerful people of Piltover. The big-budget show’s soundtrack, eye-catching animation style, and voice acting are just some of the elements that solidified Arcane‘s success.
Castlevania (2017 | Netflix)
Gen Xers might recall Konami’s Castlevania games from the 1980s, but Netflix’s recent interpretation somehow modernizes and enriches the decades-old IP. The action-horror show follows vampire slayer Trevor Belmont on his hunt for Dracula, incorporating elements from various franchise installments like Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, and others.
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Fallout (2024 | Amazon Prime Video)
This 2024 critical darling stars Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets) as American Lucy MacLean as she dares to venture outside her fallout shelter following a nuclear war. Set in a dystopic U.S. in 2077, Fallout feels like an honest, canonical extension of the established world while staying accessible and appealing to those unfamiliar with its source.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022 | Netflix)
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Cyberpunk 2077, the dystopic and futuristic open-world RPG from CD Projekt Red, was adapted into a Netflix miniseries following its widespread success. Critics and fans sang the show’s praises, too, citing its expansive worldbuilding, satisfying character development, and snazzy animation.
The Witcher (2019 | Netflix)
Despite recent controversial cast changes, The Witcher remains one of the few game adaptations that did it right. This story-rich fantasy follows chiseled monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, played by Henry Cavill (Superman), as he fights to protect their world from wicked forces.
Pokemon the Series (1997 | Netflix)
Ash, Misty, Brock, and the gang were household names in the late 1990s. Kids carried their Game Boy Advances everywhere, connecting with peers over their favorite creatures. The IP remains the most successful game adaptation in history.
Millennials rejoice—while the series we grew up with ended its run in 2023, Netflix’s Pokemon Horizons: The Series hopes to captivate new viewers the same way.
Knuckles (2024 | Paramount+)
Sonic and his friends have been collecting rings for decades, but the franchise’s recent silver-screen releases have taken younger viewers by storm. Piggybacking off the films’ success, Paramount+ introduced a Knuckles spinoff. The bright red echidna, voiced by Idris Elba (The Wire, Luther), trains Sheriff Wade Whipple (played by Adam Pally) to become an echidna warrior.
Twisted Metal (2023 | Peacock)
The Twisted Metal franchise has entertained — and frightened — gamers since the 1990s. In the Peacock adaptation, Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Brave New World) plays amnesia-stricken delivery driver John Doe as he transports a mysterious package across the country. Rest assured that Sweet Tooth, the ice cream truck-driving evil clown, still rules the road.
The Cuphead Show! (2022 | Netflix)
In the notoriously challenging scrolling shooter Cuphead, (literal) container-headed characters Cuphead and Mugman square up against quirky yet unrelenting enemies. The game stole hearts with its Steamboat Willie-inspired animation style and soundtrack, and the Netflix show does the same.
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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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