General trends in film and television are always changing. In 2023, for example, we saw a flurry of superhero movies. In turn, 2024 seems to be seeing an influx of video game adaptations. These five titles are proof.
Halo (Season 2, Paramount+)
Inspired by Bungie and 343 Industries' video game franchise of the same name, Halo premiered on Paramount+ in 2022 with Season 2 already greenlit. Two years later, the eight-episode second installment was released, continuing to follow Pablo Schreiber's Master Chief in his valiant battle against the Covenant, an alien civilization threatening humanity. In addition to the thrilling action, Season 2 focuses on Master Chief's personal drama.
Fallout (Season 1, Amazon Prime)
Based on the video game franchise of the same name, Fallout premiered nearly two weeks ago, only to become one of the biggest releases of the spring. Starring Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten and Kyle MacLachlan, the post-apocalyptic drama tells the story of an alternate Earth where a nuclear war took place at the end of the twenty-first century. As a result, most of humanity has been wiped out, while the survivors are either hiding in bunkers or trying to survive in the world affected by radiation.
Knuckles (Season 1, Paramount+, April 26)
Based on Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog, the show will serve as an extension of Paramount Pictures' Sonic the Hedgehog film series, following the events that take place between the second installment of the franchise, which will be released in 2022, and the upcoming third installment, which will premiere later this year. The new show will follow Knuckles as he becomes a personal trainer for deputy sheriff Wade Whipple, portrayed by Adam Pally.
Borderlands (August 9)
Adapted from Gearbox Software's video game franchise of the same name, Borderlands is the only big-screen release on the list. Starring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis, among others, the movie centers on Blanchett's Lilith, a universe-famous outlaw who teams up with a bunch of other thugs to find the daughter of the most powerful gangster in the universe. To do this, the team, or rather the mob, must travel to Lilith's home planet of Pandora and survive all sorts of dangers.
Arcane (Season 2, Netflix, November)
Inspired by Riot Games' League of Legends, Netflix's hit animated series is set to return for a second season in November. Season 2 will continue to follow sisters Vi and Jinx, voiced by Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell, as they drift further apart in the wake of the crisis between the city of Piltover and the region of Zaun beneath it.