Here is every upcoming video game TV show in development. The entertainment world has long been driven by adapting known IPs, whether that came in books, comics, and so on. However, one realm that Hollywood is still working to crack and truly exploit is video games. With the rise of streaming and constant advances in technology to push the capability of the games further, video games are still a relatively untapped field for potential success.
Hollywood has only recently started to figure out the right formula to make video games into good movies, but TV is where these stories are often told the best. While some video games only take a few hours to beat, others require gamers to devote days of their time to fully complete. The long-form nature of TV is a better place for the stories of most video games, whether that comes with animated shows for kids, adult anime, or live-action shows for all types of audiences. After the success of shows like The Witcher and Castlevania (both on Netflix), there is an increasing amount of TV shows in development based on popular video games.
There have been video game TV shows for decades, but some of the biggest games in recent memory are on the verge of receiving some type of adaptation. Different streaming services will bring fans live-action and animated shows based on their beloved video games. Some have been in development for years with no real movement, while others are newly announced and seemingly picking up steam. Regardless of its status, here are all the video game TV shows in development.
Angry Birds: Summer Madness (Netflix)
Following the success of the Angry Birds animated movies, Netflix is developing a new animated show based on the popular app game. Titled Angry Birds: Summer Madness, the series is not connected to the movies but will feature a similar set of characters, albeit as young birds. The show follows Red, Bomb, and Chuck while they are tween birds at summer camp. The first season contains 40 episodes and will release on Netflix sometime in the summer of 2021.
Arcane (Netflix)
Netflix is jumping aboard the popularity of Riot's hit video game League of Legends by creating an animated series set in this world. The show, titled Arcane, is set in Piltover and Zaun and follows the origins of two League champions. Arcane's first trailer released in June 2021 and the series is expected to release on Netflix in late 2021.
Assassin's Creed (Netflix)
Ubisoft's long-running Assassin's Creed franchise is getting a live-action show on Netflix. After the failure of Michael Fassbender's live-action movie, the streaming service partnered with Ubisoft to create multiple new shows set in this universe. The first was described as an "epic, genre-bending live-action adaptation." Unfortunately, there hasn't been any update on the show since it was announced in late 2020.
Related: Assassin's Creed: Casting Netflix's Live-Action Series
Brothers in Arms
A live-action show based on Gearbox Entertainment's Brothers in Arms is also in development. The series was announced in early 2020, with Queen of the South's Scott Rosenbaum set to be the showrunner. There is no confirmation on where or when the Brothers in Arms show will be released. However, the success of the shooter franchise in the video game format should give it plenty of suitors, assuming it comes together eventually.
Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix (Netflix)
Netflix announced in 2021 that a six-episode anime Far Cry spinoff is coming from producer Adi Shankar. The show is based on the Far Cry 3 expansion, Blood Dragon. It has been described as an original anime featuring alter egos of Ubisoft characters in a highly-referenced homage to the early 90s. Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix does not yet have a release date.
Castlevania Spinoff (Netflix)
Shortly after the end of Castlevania's four-season run, Netflix confirmed plans for a spinoff set in the universe. The animated Castlevania spinoff takes place during the French Revolution. It follows Richter Belmont, a distant descendent of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belndaes, and Maria Renard, another character from the Castlevania games. Clive Bradley is the showrunner of the new officially unnamed series, and Netflix didn't reveal when it will release either.
The Cuphead Show! (Netflix)
Studio MDHR's hit 2017 game Cuphead is getting an animated series on Netflix titled The Cuphead Show! It is created by Chad and Jared Moldenhauer, stars Tru Valentino as the voice of Cuphead, and features Wayne Brady as the voice of King Dice. The first season consists of ten episodes and is expected to arrive on Netflix sometime in 2021.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (Netflix)
It was announced in 2020 that an original anime series set in Cyberpunk 2077's universe was coming to Netflix. The animation studio Studio Trigger is working to bring Cyberpunk: Edgerunners to life for a 2022 release. Directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi, the ten-episode first season follows a street kid trying to survive in a technology and body modification-obsessed city of the future. His only path to survival is to become an edgerunner, an outlaw that is also known as a cyberpunk.
Devil May Cry (Netflix)
Castlevania producer Adi Shankar revealed in 2018 that he was developing an animated show set in the same universe based on Capcom's Devil May Cry. The demon hunter Dante has had shows in the past, but the latest one is slated to come to Netflix. Unfortunately, there hasn't been an update on the Devil May Cry show since this announcement was made.
DOTA: Dragon's Blood Book II (Netflix)
Netflix is also working on a second season for DOTA: Dragon's Blood. The first season arrived in early 2021 and was a massive success, which isn't surprising given the popularity of Valve's MOBA video game. The next chapter of the show is known as Book II and will continue Davio's story after season one. There is no release date set for DOTA: Dragon's Blood Book II.
Fallout (Amazon)
Amazon announced in 2020 that the hit video game franchise Fallout is receiving a TV show for Prime Video. The series comes from Westworld showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, their production banner Kitler Films, and Bethesda. Details on the Fallout TV show are slim, but it did receive a series commitment from Amazon. There is no release date for the post-apocalyptic series.
Far Cry (Netflix)
Netflix is also working on an anime inspired by the main Far Cry franchise. Details on the series are slim, but the announcement comes before the anticipated release of Far Cry 6 in late 2021. The Far Cry anime currently does not have an announced creative team or release date.
Final Fantasy (Netflix)
Netflix revealed in 2019 that a Final Fantasy live-action show is coming to their service eventually. It is set in the realm of Final Fantasy XIV and is a collaboration between Sony Pictures, Square Enix, Hivemind, and Netflix. The only plot details to be revealed describe the show as a "struggle between magic and technology in a quest to bring peace to a land in conflict." It is unknown when the TV adaptation of the popular online game will release.
Halo (Paramount+)
A TV show based on Halo has been in development for years, but it finally is nearing its debut, now on Parmaount+. Based on Bungi's iconic Xbox exclusive title, the Halo TV show will star Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief. Jen Taylor will also retain her role from the games of voicing Cortana, the AI who helps Master Chief. Kyle Killen and Steven Kane developed the show, which is scheduled to debut in early 2022. The first season of the highly anticipated Halo TV show will consist of ten episodes.
The Last of Us (HBO)
After years of development as a movie, The Last of Us' live-action adaption found its home on HBO as a TV show. Chernobyl's Craig Mazin is leading the adaptation alongside Naughty Dog's creative director Neil Druckmann. Pedro Pascal will star as Joel, and Bella Ramsey will play Ellie, with Gabriel Luna also among the show's cast list. There is no official word on when The Last of Us will release on HBO, but sometime in 2022 is most likely.
Resident Evil (Netflix)
Netflix is developing a new live-action Resident Evil show, which is separate from the Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City movie coming in 2021. The series will follow two storylines set decades apart; both revolve around Jade and Billie Wesker. The first season will be eight episodes long and star Lance Reddick as the Resident Evil franchise's recognizable villain Albert Wesker. Other cast members include Ella Balinska, Tamara Smart, Siena Agudong, Adeline Rudolph, and Paola Nunez. It will likely release on Netflix sometime in 2022.
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness (Netflix)
The Resident Evil franchise is also receiving an animated series on Netflix titled Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness. It revolves around the stars of Resident Evil 2, Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, and is set between the events of Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5. The anime series starts streaming on Netflix on July 8, 2021.
Sly Cooper
Sony's hit Sly Cooper franchise is supposed to have an animated series as well. The show was first announced in 2017 as a 52-episode series with short runtimes that followed the adventures of the stealthy raccoon. Sly Cooper was believed to be coming out in 2019 at one point based on the official website for the show. However, Technicolor and PGS Entertainment have removed Sly Cooper from their list of upcoming projects, which could mean the show is canceled. As of yet, any decision on Sly Cooper's fate is not confirmed.
Sonic Prime (Netflix)
After the success of Sonic the Hedgehog's live-action movie, Netflix and Sega announced a new animated series, titled Sonic Prime. It will have 24 episodes made in 3D animation by WildBrain and Man of Action Entertainment. Since the show was only announced in early 2021, Sonic Prime is not expected to arrive on Netflix until sometime in 2022.
Splinter Cell (Netflix)
Ubisoft's hit Splinter Cell video game is getting an anime series on Netflix. The show comes from John Wick writer Derek Kolstad and reportedly already has a two-season commitment from the streaming service. The first season does not yet have a release date, but it could arrive in late 2021.
Tomb Raider (Netflix)
Netflix and Legendary are partnering together for an anime based on the popular Tomb Raider franchise from Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montréal, and Square Enix. The series is set in the same continuity as the recent Tomb Raider video game reboot trilogy and will continue to follow Lara Croft's globe-trotting adventures. Tasha Huo (The Witcher: Blood Origin) will write and produce the series, which does not have a release date.
Twisted Metal
Sony announced in early 2021 that a Twisted Metal live-action show is in development. The show comes from the minds of Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, the writers behind Deadpool and Zombieland. Wernick and Reese are producing Twisted Metal with Cobra Kai's Michael Jonathan Smith writing it. Rumors previously swirled that Will Arnett will voice Sweet Tooth in the show. Twisted Metal does not yet have a release date, as no streaming service or network is currently attached to release it.
The Witcher Season 2 (Netflix)
Following the massive success of The Witcher season one, Netflix is working on the second season of the hit fantasy series starring Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia. Although The Witcher stories started as novels, they were later adapted into video games and popularized in that format. The highly anticipated second season will continue the adventures of Geralt, Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), and Ciri (Freya Allen). The Witcher season 2 is expected to release on Netflix in late 2021 or sometime in 2022.
The Witcher: Blood Origin (Netflix)
In addition to the new seasons of The Witcher, Netflix is double-down on the franchise's success with a prequel series, among other projects. The Witcher: Blood Origin takes place 1,200 years before Geralt's story begins and was set to star Jodie Turner-Smith as Éile, an elite warrior, before she had to exit the series. Declan de Barra is the showrunner of the six-episode limited series, with The Witcher's showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich also producing.