For numerous decades, Hollywood has tried to capitalize on the popularity of video games by making numerous adaptations. While the 90s and early 2000s were filled with a lot of failed attempts, studios and creators are finally getting things right, with these projects receiving a huge upsurge in quality, particularly since the turn of the decade.

Sadly, they can’t always land, as 2025 was a largely disappointing year for video game adaptations, with only a handful finding true success. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to put this right, as a whole catalog of gaming-inspired shows is on the horizon, meaning there is a lot to look forward to this year and beyond.

The Last of Us: Season 3

When The Last of Us premiered on HBO in 2023, many dubbed it one of the greatest video game adaptations ever made, as the series was faithful to its iconic source material while adding in some captivating new content as well. Unfortunately, The Last of Us season 2’s divisive reception leaves the show’s reputation up in the air.

As a result, season 3 will be massive, and it has been confirmed, with a 2027 release date being the target. It’s still unclear whether the project will continue beyond that or end with its upcoming installment, but this is easily one of the most highly anticipated adaptations in the works, and it’ll undoubtedly make headlines one way or another.

Fallout Season 3

Given just how large the Fallout fanbase is, opting to create a TV series focusing on completely new characters was a big roll of the dice, but one that has ultimately paid off for Prime Video. Season 1 became an instant hit for the streaming platform, while Fallout season 2 has set new records for live-action gaming adaptations.

The second installment is still ongoing, but even before premiering, confirmation on season 3 was already out there. Such a versatile franchise could last years, especially with so many big personalities on screen, and it is arguably The Last of Us‘ biggest competition when it comes to video game shows. Therefore, season 3 should have a substantial following.

The Witcher: Season 5

Despite starting off strong, The Witcher has gained quite a polarizing reputation, yet it remains one of the prolific gaming-related shows around. Ironically, the Netflix project is actually based on the original book series, not CD Projekt Red’s gaming franchise, but it still borrows themes and ideas from these titles.

Many fans are still hoping that a reboot could fix The Witcher‘s TV show, but sadly, this looks unlikely anytime soon. Still, a fifth and final season is on the way, which has already wrapped filming, meaning regardless of whether you love or hate the series, it should get some closure in the coming years.

Devil May Cry Anime Season 2

Devil May Cry‘s anime flew under many people’s radar in 2025, as despite being more favored among critics than fans, it managed to receive a nomination at The Game Awards for Best Adaptation. Maybe that is a sign of weaker competition, but there was still plenty to admire about this project, hence why it has been renewed for a second season.

Unlike most entries on this list, Devil May Cry‘s next outing actually has a release date, with the show scheduled to return on May 12th, 2026. This will be just over a year after the anime debuted, suggesting that it could have new content annually, which is bound to win over some viewers alongside fans of the gaming franchise.

Splinter Cell: Deathwatch Season 2

Splinter Cell has been a sleeping giant of a franchise for years, with its last new game coming in 2013. However, fans were given something to enjoy in 2025, as Splinter Cell: Deathwatch landed on Netflix, offering a fun yet fresh story set in this fictional world, and despite not making too much noise, the quality was there.

Incorporating the series’ beloved stealth mechanics with John Wick-like action sequences gave it a strong identity, which was enhanced by some memorable performances. Unsurprisingly, the show was renewed quickly after releasing, since Splinter Cell: Deathwatch season 1’s ending set up more to come, with season 2 likely to drop in the next year or two.

Secret Level Season 2

With Love, Death + Robots being a staple on Netflix since 2019, Prime Video finally came up with its own animated anthology series in 2024, revolving around numerous different video games. Titles such as Mega Man, Warhammer 40,000, and Pac-Man all got designated episodes, while some PlayStation hits like God of War and Ghost of Tsushima also had minor cameos in Secret Level.

The concept was a little rough around the edges, but it was an overall hit, especially with names like Keanu Reeves, Kevin Hart, and Arnold Schwarzenegger all involved. Knowing so many more games could feature made season 2 a hot commodity, and Amazon has given it the green light, giving a multitude of gamers something to look forward to.

New Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Show

Trigger/CD Projekt

Having cemented its status as one of the greatest video game shows ever with a powerful debut in 2022, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is getting an official follow-up. Details on the project remain limited, but it seems highly likely to center around a new set of characters, given the nature of the original show’s conclusion.

Whether Netflix’s Cyberpunk: Edgerunners sequel can live up to the first outing remains anyone’s guess, but it looks destined to be a major hit. Once again, this project doesn’t have a release date, but after the award-winning first season, audiences will likely be patient when it comes to waiting for the next story set in Night City.

Arcane Spinoff

COURTESY OF NETFLIX

It is far from the first video game to get an adaptation, but League of Legends‘ Arcane raised the bar for these types of projects, making spinoffs a no-brainer. Mixed details make it unclear exactly how many spinoffs Netflix is working on, but there has been confirmation that at least one has gotten the go-ahead.

After Arcane set new standards for modern animated shows, the upcoming releases will have plenty to live up to. However, knowing how long it took to produce Arcane season 2, it’s hard to imagine the studio rushing out its next Runeterra-based tale, meaning this one will almost certainly be a post-2026 release.

Ghost of Tsushima Anime

Praised for its beautiful storytelling, Ghost of Tsushima‘s transition into television seemed inevitable, and an anime format couldn’t be more perfect. It will allow the franchise to get violent and bloody, but still offer the length and spectacle to expand upon this vibrant universe, with the plot centering around the game’s multiplayer mode.

Confirmed for 2027, the anime will debut on Crunchyroll. Assuming it comes anywhere close to matching the quality of the original game and its sequel, this Ghost of Tsushima adaptation has the potential to be one of the biggest yet, making it one to keep your eye on next year.

God of War

Of all the games people want to see converted into some sort of adaptation, God of War may be right at the top of the list, considering its brutal action and captivating mythology. As a result, Amazon’s confirmation that a God of War show was officially in development instantly had people talking about all the possibilities.

We’re yet to get any direct story details other than it being based around Norse mythology, rather than Greek, which has viewers split. The games involving the Norse myth are arguably more popular, but Greek myth is crucial to Kratos’ lore and background, making this decision a huge gamble.

Nonetheless, promises about the God of War series being faithful to the source material have been made, and with filming set to start in 2026, Prime Video’s hit video game project could debut sometime next year.

Far Cry

The Far Cry franchise has been on a little bit of a rollercoaster ride, as Far Cry 3 helped cement it as a huge gaming title, yet by Far Cry 6, it seems to have lost a lot of popularity. This hasn’t stopped Ubisoft from continuing to cash in on the IP, hence approving an anthology series that will arrive on FX.

Noah Hawley and Rob Mac will lead the project, but this isn’t the IP’s first rodeo when it comes to adaptations, meaning FX’s Far Cry can redeem the underwhelming 2008 movie. The anthology format will also allow it to be much more flexible and cater to what audiences like if it gets multiple seasons, so keep your eyes peeled for this one.

Mass Effect

In spite of its various ups and downs, Mass Effect is still one of the bigger gaming franchises out there, and a TV adaptation always felt like a real possibility. The sci-fi elements should fare well in such a format, and with the almost endless number of characters and unique locations involved, the sky is the limit for this show.

BioWare — the studio behind these games — confirmed that the upcoming series will follow an original story that takes place after the trilogy, offering a lot of flexibility regarding the story. As of now, filming is scheduled for sometime in 2026, meaning it will hopefully arrive before Mass Effect 4 and offer the IP some much-needed stability.

Live-Action Tomb Raider

Even those not into the video game scene have likely heard of Lara Croft and Tomb Raider, with the last few years being particularly exciting. Alongside having an animated show on Netflix and two upcoming gaming releases, a Tomb Raider show and movie are being developed by Prime Video, but the live-action series has faced some key obstacles.

While Sophie Turner has been cast as the legendary heroine, there hasn’t been much movement on the project led by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Rumors have indicated filming could start sometime in January, yet things remain unclear.

Regardless, unless the series gets officially canceled, it’s still an exciting prospect that will hopefully get some more substantial updates in the near future, as Prime Video’s Tomb Raider is one of the most promising gaming shows currently in the works.

Gears of War

Most of the talk around Gears of War‘s adaptation has been in the theatrical scene, with the likes of Dave Bautista and Terry Crews frequently linked to the project, despite no official news being released regarding the cast. However, an animated show is also in the works, but is expected to arrive sometime after the live-action film.

Whether the two projects will share the same actors is yet to be seen, but an animated series will really allow Gears of War‘s brutality to be on full display, as Netflix isn’t shy in this department. It could still be far away, but fans of the franchise at least have this potential sleeper hit to look forward to in the future.

Assassin’s Creed

Assassin’s Creed has depicted so many different historical periods over the course of 10+ games, giving its TV adaptation plenty to work with. Once again, Netflix is developing this one, with the story described as a high-octane thriller focusing on two rival factions. Johan Renck has been confirmed as director.

Considering a deal between Ubisoft and Netflix was agreed back in 2020, the slow production may feel rather worrying, but it seems investment has been ramping up in recent years. Whether the adaptation takes inspiration from the older or more modern games remains a mystery, but if it captures the franchise’s best aspects, this release should be huge.

A Plague Tale

Having released two main games with a prequel on the way, A Plague Tale is perhaps one of the most underrated narrative games around, and it feels perfect for a TV adaptation. Set in France, the story follows Amicia and her younger brother Hugo, who has a unique illness that bonds him to the Bubonic Plague, also known as the Black Death.

Presumably, the TV adaptation will be a retelling of the first and potentially second game, which is a heartfelt yet brutal tale of family and loss. However, there will be some changes for TV purposes, but if Focus Entertainment gets this right and captures A Plague Tale‘s core themes, this project could become an unexpected hit.

Life Is Strange

Square Enix and Dontnod Entertainment struck gold with Life is Strange back in 2015, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that spawned several spinoffs and sequels. While it may not be for everyone, there is no doubt that the original title was a huge hit, making it almost surprising that it has taken so long for the franchise to find its way to TV.

Ten years after debuting though, Prime Video announced that they’d be developing a Life is Strange show, which will adapt the events of the first game. Given that this touching narrative stuck with gamers for years to come, it won’t be surprising to see the live-action series do the same, assuming it stays true to the source material.

Beyond: Two Souls

Elliot Page is best known for their TV and film contributions, but back in 2013, they starred in Beyond: Two Souls, which is yet another narrative-focused game set to be made into a series. Page will help produce the show after their company, Pageboy Productions, acquired the rights to the IP from Qauntic Dream.

Sadly, it is yet another project with limited details and no release date, but with Page so heavily invested in the Beyond: Two Souls adaptation, it’s safe to presume it’ll honor the source material and be a faithful depiction of the game’s popular story, making it one to look out for.

Overcooked Reality TV Show

With reports that Prime Video is seemingly interested in a Fallout reality show, it seems like the next step for these adaptations, but Netflix and A24 have already beaten them to the punch. Overcooked is a chaotic cooking game designed to put players under pressure while making and serving food in the most extreme conditions.

Therefore, turning this concept into a reality series has the potential to be hilarious. Watching contestants either team up or compete as they attempt to prepare meals as pandemonium ensues could provide some light-hearted entertainment and plenty of laughs, so it’ll be fascinating to see how the final product looks when Overcooked eventually premieres.

Minecraft the Animated Series

Being one of the highest-selling video games of all time has made Minecraft a giant IP, hence an animated show getting the green light on Netflix. A Minecraft Movie‘s incredible box office run further emphasized just how relevant this franchise remains today, suggesting this animated project could be equally popular among the younger demographic.

The game’s sandbox nature allows an almost infinite number of plot possibilities, as the show could be anywhere from a light-hearted anthology show to a multi-season, in-depth story. Either way, with the series being announced midway through 2024, updates will hopefully roll out soon, and it’ll be interesting to see what’s next in the world of Minecraft.

Adaptations That May Still Be In The Work

Given the vast number of games that are being released each year, it’s no surprise that so many have been picked up for adaptations, but while the ones previously mentioned are still in the works to some degree, plenty of projects have been quietly canceled as well. That said, there are some whose status remains completely unknown.

Having been a hit franchise in the 90s, System Shock looked to be making a resurgence when a TV adaptation was announced in 2021, with the 2023 game remake adding further fuel to the fire. However, since being revealed, there have been almost no updates on this potential series, making it anyone’s guess whether it’s still in development.

Likewise, Obsidian Entertainment looked to capitalize on Grounded‘s success before the online multiplayer game left early access. However, despite a sequel arriving, the show’s status remains in limbo, a similar fate to fan favorite My Friend Pedro, which was also supposed to transition into TV.

Skull and Bones also joins the list of announced gaming adaptations that have gone years without any key updates, and with the IP not quite finding the success Ubisoft was likely hoping for, it wouldn’t be a major surprise if this one was quietly axed.

With so many shows being inspired by video games these days, it’s no surprise that there is so much to look forward to in 2026 and beyond, but while some of these look destined to be surefire hits, others may never get an official release, making those huge successes worth truly appreciating.