6 Video Games That Deserve an Adaptation

July 9, 2026 - 15:18

The video game industry has produced some of the most immersive storytelling and richly detailed worlds in modern entertainment. While Hollywood has already tapped into franchises like The Last of Us and Sonic the Hedgehog, many other titles remain untouched, waiting for the right director or showrunner to bring them to life. Here are six games that deserve a proper adaptation.

First on the list is Red Dead Redemption 2. Rockstar's sprawling Western epic offers a slow-burn narrative about loyalty, survival, and the end of an era. The game's protagonist, Arthur Morgan, is a complex anti-hero whose journey could rival any prestige drama. A miniseries format would allow the story to breathe, capturing the dusty landscapes and moral gray areas that made the game a masterpiece.

Subnautica presents a different kind of challenge. This underwater survival game drops players onto an alien ocean planet with nothing but a damaged escape pod. The horror of the deep, combined with the mystery of an ancient alien race, would make for a gripping sci-fi thriller. Imagine a film where the protagonist must explore treacherous biomes, all while managing oxygen and fear. The visual potential alone is staggering.

Another strong candidate is Disco Elysium. This is not a game about combat or action. It is a detective story set in a crumbling city, where the main character is a washed-up cop with a fractured mind. The dialogue is sharp, the themes are political and philosophical, and the atmosphere is thick with melancholy. A limited series could explore the detective's internal voices and the decay of Revachol in a way that feels fresh and literary.

For fans of action and world-building, Ghost of Tsushima offers a samurai tale set during the Mongol invasion of Japan. The game's cinematic combat and stunning landscapes are already halfway to a movie. The story of Jin Sakai, a warrior forced to abandon his honor to save his people, is a classic tragedy. A film could lean into the Kurosawa-inspired visuals and deliver a visceral, emotional experience.

Cyberpunk 2077, despite its rocky launch, has a neon-soaked world that is perfect for a TV series. Night City is a character in itself, filled with corrupt corporations, street gangs, and desperate people. The game's themes of identity, technology, and rebellion are more relevant than ever. An anthology series, each episode following a different character, could capture the chaos and beauty of this dystopian setting.

Finally, there is Hollow Knight. This indie gem is a Metroidvania set in a vast, insect-filled kingdom. The art style is hauntingly beautiful, and the lore is deep but told through environmental storytelling. An animated film or series could bring the silent protagonist and the eerie ruins of Hallownest to life. The game's atmosphere of loneliness and discovery would translate well to a visual medium, especially with a strong composer handling the score.

These six games prove that the source material is already there. All it takes is a creative team willing to respect the original vision while making something that works for a new audience.