Video Games Netflix Is Turning Into TV Shows After Resident Evil
We are currently in a renaissance of video game adaptations, with Netflix leading the charge. From "Sonic the Hedgehog" to "Mario," there are tons of iconic video games being transformed into big movies and TV shows. Netflix has been a prolific force in adapting video games — the streaming giant has filled its library with plenty of adaptations of well-known games. The animated adaptation of "Castlevania" went down very well with the critics, and "Arcane" (based on "League of Legends") quickly became a pop culture phenomenon.
Along with "Castlevania" and "Arcane," Netflix has created adaptations for games like "The Witcher," "Dragon's Dogma," "DOTA," "Cuphead," and, more recently, "Resident Evil," which dropped to mixed reviews in 2022. Netflix made a number of mistakes with the live-action "Resident Evil" series, but it will have plenty of chances to make up for that, as the company's slate is filled with video game adaptations. There's anime versions of iconic fighting and sci-fi games, as well as spin-offs and sequel seasons to its most notable adaptations. Read on to find out more.
Tekken (Tekken Bloodline)
"Tekken," developed by Bandai Namco, is one of the most popular fighting games in existence. Since debuting in 1994, the series has developed into a franchise with ten main entries and numerous spin-off titles. "Tekken" has become so prolific that characters like Heihachi and Kazuya have made guest appearances in other fighting games like "PlayStation All Stars: Battle Royale" and "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate." The "Tekken" franchise is no stranger to being adapted into animated and live-action films, but it's now set to get its first anime treatment from Netflix with "Tekken: Bloodline."
"Bloodline" is apparently set between "Tekken 2" and "Tekken 3" and focuses on Jin Kazama as he seeks vengeance for his mother's death at the hands of antagonist Ogre. The trailer shows that "Bloodline" is filled with notable characters from the franchise and is set to deliver amazing animation mixed with some iconic visuals from the games. It looks like a fan's dream anime version of the games and will hopefully live up to the hype.
Cyberpunk 2077 (Cyberpunk: Edgerunners)
Although it had a really rough start at launch, CD Projekt Red's "Cyberpunk 2077" has slowly won players back. When it launched, "Cyberpunk" became known for being unfinished and filled with game-breaking bugs and glitches. With several patches and updates, it has been able to become the immersive and ambitious sci-fi epic that fans wanted it to be.
The game takes players into the dangerous and tech-obsessed world of Night City where they can basically do whatever they want, from traversing the underground black market to becoming a top mercenary. Despite the game's rocky start, Netflix and renowned anime studio Trigger — the people behind anime like "Kill la Kill," "Kiznaiver" and "BNA: Brand New Animal" — have been hard at work on a spin-off series titled "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners."
The anime is set in Night City and follows David Martinez, a street kid turned mercenary outlaw who tries to survive the violent and body-mod-obsessed Night City. The series is set to hit Netflix in September 2022 and it looks pretty incredible. Trigger has built up a resume of visually stunning and mind-bending anime action and "Edgerunners" looks like the studio's most ambitious project to date. Hopefully, "Edgerunners" will continue to expand the "Cyberpunk" world and pull a wider audience into its unique setting.
Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic: Prime)
Sonic the Hedgehog's legacy in gaming is pretty complicated due to a lot of poorly received titles, but the character has found new life on the big screen. Both "Sonic the Hedgehog" movies went down well with fans and most critics, handing SEGA's most notable character a resurgence he desperately needed. Paramount+ is going even further in expanding Sonic's cinematic world with an upcoming spin-off series focused on fan-favorite character Knuckles. However, Netflix is also releasing a Sonic show of their own with the upcoming animated series "Sonic Prime."
"Sonic Prime" sees Sonic spin-dash into the multiverse as he tries to defeat a new threat that seeks to break everything apart. Outside of that, not many details have been released. We do know that aside from Sonic, fans can expect to see the likes of Tails, Knuckles, Big the Cat, and other beloved characters. We've only had very small teases so far, but from what we've seen it looks visually stunning with its 3D animation and could be a big hit given how popular Sonic has become. Although no specific release date has been revealed, "Sonic Prime" is currently set to debut on Netflix sometime in late 2022.
Splinter Cell
Ubisoft's "Splinter Cell," based on the novel series of the same name by Tom Clancy, is one of the most beloved stealth games out there. With seven mainline games, the series generally follows elite black ops operative Sam Fisher as he embarks on dangerous secret missions across the globe. Fans have been begging for Ubisoft to bring back Sam Fisher for years, and while it has been announced that Ubisoft is working on a remake of the first game, fans also have a "Splinter Cell" anime series from Netflix coming in the near future.
Announced during Netflix's Geeked Week in 2021, not much is known about the upcoming "Splinter Cell" series. However, there is a notable name behind it that fans can definitely be excited about: "John Wick" co-creator Derek Kolstad is set to write the series and act as showrunner. Even with there not being much known about the series at the time of this writing, "Splinter Cell" is still one of Netflix's most anticipated gaming adaptations and could start a new resurgence for the franchise if done well.
Tomb Raider
The "Tomb Raider" series has had its ups and downs over the years, but it remains a historic gaming franchise. Since debuting in 1996, "Tomb Raider" has not only offered fans an incredibly fun adventure experience, but also given gaming one of its most iconic female protagonists in Lara Croft. "Tomb Raider" has also made the jump to the big screen with two live-action films led by Angelina Jolie and a 2018 reboot with Alicia Vinkander, which is expected to release a second entry at some stage. Now, Netflix is getting in on the action with an upcoming "Tomb Raider" anime series set after the events of the Survivor Trilogy.
At this point, not much is known about the story of the series, but we do know who is voicing Lara Croft. Known for her role as Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hayley Atwell has been cast as Croft and will be joined by Earl Baylon, who will be reprising his voice role from the games as Lara's trusted ally Jonah. Allen Maldonado has also joined the cast and will be voicing tech-expert Zip.
Assassin's Creed
"Assassin's Creed" is one of Ubisoft's longest-running franchises and has been bringing players into multiple historic periods for over a decade. From Ancient Greece to the American Revolution, "Assassin's Creed" has taken players on quite a trip through time and continually expanded its lore with each game. While the 2016 film starring Michael Fassbender failed to impress, fans should be excited about the upcoming Netflix live-action series.
"For more than 10 years, millions of fans around the world have helped shape the 'Assassin's Creed' brand into an iconic franchise," Jason Altman, Head of Ubisoft Film & Television Los Angeles, said in a statement. "We're thrilled to create an 'Assassin's Creed' series with Netflix, and we look forward to developing the next saga in the 'Assassin's Creed' universe." Currently, there are no details on the story or what time period the series will take place in, but we know that Jeb Stuart — co-writer of big action flicks like "Die Hard" and "The Fugitive" — is penning the script and will act as showrunner.
With the "Assassin's Creed" franchise having so much lore and history within its ongoing story, Netflix could strike gold by adapting it into a TV series. The deal between Ubisoft and Netflix isn't just for a live-action series, either — animated shows and anime adaptations are also in the pipeline.
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon (Captain Laserhawk)
It's pretty rare for a standalone spin-off title to become as popular as the original, but that's exactly what happened when Ubisoft released the "Far Cry 3" expansion "Blood Dragon." Fans instantly became obsessed with the game's retro-futuristic style, a loving homage to '80s action films. While "Far Cry 3" is pretty grounded for the most part, "Blood Dragon" has players fight off demonic lizard creatures with futuristic tech. It's a big favorite among "Far Cry" fans, and Netflix is now adapting it into an anime series.
The upcoming "Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix" takes the concept of the game and spins it into a neon-tinted animated epic that will take viewers on a universe-blending adventure. Not much has been shown of "Captain Laserhawk" yet aside from a killer animation test video that makes the series look incredibly ambitious. "Castlevania" fans should be especially interested in "Captain Laserhawk" as showrunner Adi Shankar played a big role in Netflix's "Castlevania" series. In an interview with Collider, Shankar said that he has "created a wholly new 90's retro-futuristic cyberpunk IP for Ubisoft that remixes several Ubisoft properties in a new fun 'Elseworlds' way."
There's still no word on when we'll see "Captain Laserhawk," but the anticipation is palpable.
Far Cry
Along with "Captain Laserhawk," Ubisoft and Netflix are teaming up to create a "Far Cry" anime series. "Far Cry" is one of Ubisoft's most thriving franchises. It brings players into chaotic settings for a mix of brutal and often psychedelic fights for survival against psychotic but captivating antagonists. The most recent entry, "Far Cry 6," took players into the middle of a violent crackdown led by dictator Anton Castillo, played by professional on-screen bad guy Giancarlo Esposito ("Breaking Bad," "The Boys," "The Mandalorian"). Now, Netflix is looking to create its own kind of "Far Cry" story and give it an animated visual flair.
At the moment, there are no details or development updates for this new "Far Cry" animated series, but the potential for something great is high. With "Far Cry" always managing to create intriguing, politically driven worlds of chaos and compelling villains, it shouldn't be too hard for Netflix to find inspiration. Hopefully, this will be a one-of-a-kind "Far Cry" experience.
Devil May Cry
"Devil May Cry" is one of Capcom's most beloved franchises, known for its flashy combat and cool characters. The series follows demon hunter Dante in his daredevil escapades against hellish forces and his cryptic brother Virgil. A signature trademark of "Devil May Cry," aside from Dante himself, is its unique style, which drips into every part of the experience. The music, the dialogue, and the combat all share a sleekness that makes "Devil May Cry" a true classic franchise in gaming. Now, Netflix is looking to bring that same energy into an anime adaptation.
Adi Shankar is clearly a strong workhorse for Netflix, not only producing "Castlevania" and "Captain Laserhawk," but also spearheading the "Devil May Cry" anime. Details have been scarce, but in a November 2021 interview with IGN, Shankar gave fans an update on where the show was at. He said that the Season 1 script is done and that they're telling a "rad" story that will unfold over multiple seasons. Shankar also confirmed that Dante, Virgil, and Lady will be in the series.
This isn't the first time the title has been given the anime treatment: Madhouse's "Devil May Cry: The Animated Series" dropped in 2007 but only lasted for a single season. Shankar is clearly hoping to surpass that show and make "Devil May Cry" a staple title on the streamer.
League of Legends (Arcane Season 2)
"League of Legends" has cultivated one of the largest and most dedicated communities in gaming. From its huge presence in the eSports space to its continual growth since debuting in 2009, it has become a legendary franchise over the course of the last decade. Netflix and "League of Legends" developer Riot Games came together to deliver an animated series called "Arcane" in 2021, and it was a huge hit. The series garnered widespread acclaim, even nabbing two Emmy nominations.
"Arcane" is set to return for a follow-up season and it is already one of Netflix's most anticipated releases for 2023. Based on the teaser trailer, it's likely that Season 2 will pick up right where the first season left off, looking at the consequences of Jinx's (Ella Purnell) actions and continuing to expand its lore. There are plenty of Easter eggs and references in Season 1 that hint at which characters could pop up in the future, with the likes of Vander, Darius, and Urgot all rumored to be in the pipeline for Season 2.
"Arcane" broke Netflix streaming records in 2021 and the creators will be hoping that the sophomore season goes down just as well with subscribers.
Cuphead (The Cuphead Show! Season 2)
"Cuphead" went from being an indie hit that pays homage to the golden age of American animation to becoming a pop culture icon. The game was not only a blast to play, as players would fend off some creatively cartoonish bosses as the troublemaking Cuphead or his brother Mugman, but it also struck a chord with a wider audience. Its uniqueness in modern animation is what made Netflix get involved with developer Studio MDHR to create animated series "The Cuphead Show!" The series sees Cuphead (Tru Valentino) and Mugman (Fred Todaro) go on multiple misadventures that evoke the vibes of "Ren and Stimpy" while showcasing some beautifully nostalgic classic animation.
The series is set to return for a follow-up season in August 2022, and is bound to deliver more nods to the games and hilarious bouts between Cuphead and Mugman. Ms. Chalice is set to play a bigger role, and the trailer has confirmed that fan-favorite villains like The Devil and King Dice are returning, alongside debuting villains like Captain Brineybeard. Episode details are still under wraps, but it won't be long until fans reunite with Cuphead and Mugman for more comedic jaunts.
Castlevania (Castlevania: Nocturne)
The "Castlevania" animated series was a big win for Netflix, and the streaming giant is far from being done with it. When the original series came to a close with Season 4 in 2021, it seemed like Netflix was closing the curtain on the popular vampire franchise. Thankfully for fans of the hit show, that's not the case. During its Geeked Week event, Netflix announced and showed a teaser for the upcoming continuation of "Castlevania," known as "Castlevania: Nocturne."
"Castlevania: Nocturne" follows Richter Belmont, who fans know as the descendent of Simon Belmont and Sypha Belnades and the protagonist of "Castlevania" games like "Rondo of Blood" and "Symphony of the Night." "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" players also know that Richter was added to the roster alongside Simon. There hasn't been much revealed yet in terms of the show's plot, but there are plenty of great story bits involving Ritcher that the series can pull from the games.
The Witcher (The Witcher: Blood Origin)
"The Witcher" has become a landmark series for Netflix and is being severely expanded for the platform. While the debut season had some pacing problems, it bounced back in a big way with Season 2, which quickly joined Netflix's all-time most-watched list. Season 3 is on the way with some big new casting additions, but that's not all. "The Witcher" is also receiving a spin-off series titled "The Witcher: Blood Origin," which will take viewers into a new story set before the events of "The Witcher."
"The Witcher: Blood Origin" will delve into the creation of the first Witcher and be focused on the ancient Elven civilization before it fell apart. The prequel series has a great cast behind it, with Michelle Yeoh leading the line as Scían. According to Netflix, "Scían is the very last of her nomadic tribe of sword-elves. No one can come close to her artistry with the blade, and no one carries as much loss within their heart. When a chance presents itself to retrieve a stolen sacred sword, taken from her fallen tribe by nefarious means, she launches herself into a deadly quest that will change the outcome of the Continent."