Video game movies had a bad rap for the longest time, particularly in the 90s and early 2000s. Movies like Mortal Kombat: Annihilation failed to impress fans and critics. Others, like the live-action Tekken 2 movie, skipped a theatrical release entirely.

Recent years have been far kinder to video game adaptations. Many projects boast high budgets, solid casts, and target beloved franchises in the gaming space. It’s never been a better time to be a fan of both mediums, so here are 8 anticipated upcoming video game movies ranked by hype.

8

A Minecraft Movie 2 (July 23, 2027)

The original A Minecraft Movie premiered in April 2025, starring Jack Black as Steve and Jason Momoa as Garrett. Despite lukewarm reviews, the film was among the year’s highest-grossing releases.

Considering its success, a sequel was inevitable, and A Minecraft Movie 2 is due to premiere on July 23, 2027. The Minecraft film kicks off our list because while the fanbase is monumental, Summer 2027 is still a long way away. We also have very few details about the project.

There’s no official trailer just yet, and most news about the upcoming title is just speculation. The 2025 A Minecraft Movie left plenty of plot threads open for a sequel, and the title even features a second post-credit scene that alludes to more adventures for the franchise.

7

Helldivers (November 10, 2027)

Helldivers 2 is a phenomenon in the gaming space, boasting hundreds of thousands of players daily. It has a fascinating concept, set in a dystopian future which feels ripped straight out of Starship Troopers.

Considering the cult classic status of Paul Verhoeven’s Sci-Fi adventure, it makes sense that Helldivers 2 is getting a movie adaptation. We don’t know much about the project yet, as it was only recently announced, but the hype train has already started.

A big reason for the early hype is that Sony has announced Jason Momoa as the lead. The movie isn’t scheduled to release until the end of 2027, but fans of the games will tell you there’s plenty of lore for a fantastic Sci-Fi action movie.

6

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (March 19, 2027)

Sonic the Hedgehog is among the most beloved and recognized video game heroes on the planet. The blue blur has a long-lasting legacy in gaming, becoming a household name in the 90s thanks to his games on the Sega Genesis.

Sonic’s first outing on the silver screen was famously delayed after fans heavily criticized his appearance. Sonic’s movie redesign was a hit, and the Sega mascot now has three successful movies to his name.

It’s hard to imagine that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will be a flop, considering the quality of his recent outings. Like the Minecraft movie, there is no official trailer yet, which makes sense given the film isn’t due to release for over a year.

The ending to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 arguably makes it difficult to see how Jim Carrey may reprise his role as Robotnik. Still, fans are already speculating about how it may be possible.

5

Resident Evil (September 18, 2026)

Resident Evil is another video game franchise adored by fans. The series is still going strong after almost 30 years, and the Resident Evil: Requiem game was released last month.

The franchise has a long-standing series of movies directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Milla Jovovich. The movies offer plenty of nods to the source material, even though they deviate from the plot, particularly in later installments.

Our upcoming visit to Racoon City is unique as it’s helmed by a new director, Zack Cregger. Sources close to the movie have already revealed that the new Resident Evil film will tell its own story within the universe rather than retell tales from the games.

Naturally, this has fans speculating, but time will tell if Cregger’s vision is a hit for Resident Evil. The hype train will likely pick up speed when we have an official trailer to mull over.

4

Street Fighter (October 16, 2026)

Street Fighter is another legendary gaming franchise, rising to popularity in the 90s and grabbing an unfathomable amount of quarters in the arcades.

The upcoming Street Fighter movie by Kitao Sakurai has already generated a lot of hype thanks to its action-packed reveal trailer, which showcases the cast. Considering the game’s eclectic roster, the costumes we’ve seen are impressively faithful to the source material.

There’s a lot of hype behind the movie as the trailer looks delightfully silly. The only other live-action adaptation we have is the 1994 Street Fighter film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Thanks to the trailer, we know Sakurai has done his homework on the series, with many subtle nods to the games beyond just the outfits. Time will tell whether it lives up to the hype and holds up against the next movie on the list.

3

Mortal Kombat 2 (May 8, 2026)

It’s quite fitting that the Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter franchises are both releasing movies this year, as they are rivals in the gaming space.

The original Mortal Kombat is a cult classic, with its phenomenal theme tune by The Immortals. Annihilation was panned by critics, but the 2021 Mortal Kombat was a notable return to form with clear respect for the source material.

Fan reception of the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 movie was positive even before the trailer was released. Karl Urban is the perfect fit for Johnny Cage, and Mortal Kombat 2 reportedly features many more characters from the game than its predecessor.

Mortal Kombat 2 star Lewis Tan has also gone on record hyping up the Fatalities for the upcoming film.

2

The Legend of Zelda (May 7, 2027)

The Legend of Zelda titles are video game royalty at this point, with a legacy spanning more than 35 years. The franchise is more relevant than ever, mixing fantasy combat and grand adventures with the lore-rich world of Hyrule.

The Legend of Zelda games feel like the perfect setting for a fantasy epic. We don’t have an official trailer yet for The Legend of Zelda movie. However, we do have some preview pictures for the Zelda movie, and they are more than enough to whip fans into a frenzy.

Images online confirm Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is playing Link while Bo Bragason is portraying Princess Zelda. The attention to detail is remarkable, with Link’s outfit resembling his appearance in the latest games. Bragason looks fantastic as Zelda, even if her outfit isn’t strictly accurate.

Fans of The Legend of Zelda games have clamored for a movie for decades. The series is ripe for a high-fantasy adventure movie, so it’s no surprise so many are already excited.

1

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (April 1, 2026)

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is hotly anticipated ahead of its April 1 premiere. Nintendo has released a teaser and trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and audiences are already speculating about the story and how faithful it will be to the games.

Fan theories have run wild for months about potential villains and even the inclusion of other adored Nintendo characters. Nintendo has also recently released remasters of Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the Nintendo Switch, no doubt to tie in with the film.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie from 2023 is currently the highest-grossing video game movie of all time. The sequel was a no-brainer, and the Super Mario Galaxy game is a favorite among the fanbase.

If it lives up to the hype, Super Mario Galaxy may just cement 2026 as one of the best years of all time for video game movies.