The gaming industry is making headlines as a growth leader, with digital culture and technological tools. Dominated by gamers over the age of 30, the sector is expected to grow more than 13% annually until 2030.
Game developers are pushing the boundaries of fantasy with augmented reality (AR), hyper-realistic graphics, procedural storytelling, and AI-powered development tools. At the same time, increasing accessibility and inclusivity are driving the market forward, with PC and console game sales continually breaking records.
This interactive universe, which ultimately responds to people’s emotional and social needs, has managed to surpass giant industries like fashion, tourism, and cinema. It’s clear that the future of gaming will become even more inclusive, immersive, and versatile.
This dominance of gaming industry is also affecting many industries, such as TV, streaming platforms, and cinema. As a result, game adaptations are in their golden era, with many iconic game series finding back-to-back spots on screens big and small. At the same time, streaming platforms targeting gamers are investing heavily in animated series. Let’s take a closer look at the most notable game adaptations of 2025 so far.
The Last of Us
Without a doubt, The Last of Us has set the gold standard for game adaptations, sparking a new wave of interest. Now in its second season, the HBO hit returned in 2025 as one of the year’s most anticipated shows, and it delivered.
Especially the second episode of the new season, “Through the Valley,” stands out as an epic milestone in TV history, joining the ranks of the first season’s “Long, Long Time.” It marks a key turning point in the narrative.
Co-created by Neil Druckmann (the writer and director of the original game) and Craig Mazin, the series has successfully taken over The Walking Dead’s throne. The wave sparked by The Last of Us also paved the way for other iconic games like Fallout to be adapted for the screen, inspiring a trend of expansive, universe-building shows.
Another reason The Last of Us stands out in the post-apocalyptic genre is its representation of ideological differences, identities, and sexual orientations. The series continues to make an impact with both these factors and its nuanced storytelling.
A Minecraft Movie
Designed as an open-world sandbox game, Minecraft is one of the best-selling and most iconic titles ever made. Its film adaptation, A Minecraft Movie, hit theaters this year and blew past expectations at the box office. Starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black, the film was one of 2025’s biggest surprises.
It follows a group of people who step through a mysterious portal and into the unfamiliar, cubic universe of the Overworld. The film generated a buzz similar to Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. A Minecraft Movie achieved historic success as a game adaptation.
With an opening weekend gross of $157 million in the U.S., the film broke records, becoming the highest-grossing debut for a video game adaptation to date. This record was previously held by The Super Mario Bros. Movie. While The Super Mario Bros. Movie still holds the top spot globally, A Minecraft Movie quickly climbed to second place worldwide.
Devil May Cry
Netflix has been steadily expanding its library with animated series and is investing heavily in the genre. The platform has announced plans to increase these investments further, with several new adaptations already in pre-production. The animation trend continues to gain momentum, fueled by the success of titles like BoJack Horseman, Castlevania, Love, Death & Robots, and Arcane.
The latest entry in this growing trend is Devil May Cry. Adapted from the popular video game series, the animated show was quickly renewed for a second season shortly after its debut. Following the demon hunter Dante, the series became one of the most-watched titles on Netflix in its first week.
Created by Adi Shankar, who also produced Castlevania, one of the best game adaptations, Devil May Cry also stood out for its take on current U.S. politics. The show has been well-received by fans and is expected to return to Netflix with a new season soon.
Until Dawn
Until Dawn, just like The Last of Us, is a survival game. Released ten years ago by Supermassive Games for the PlayStation 4, the game saw unexpected success. With its blend of horror and strong drama the game received a modern version last year. Alongside this, a film adaptation of the game was made, directed by David F. Sandberg, best known for box office hits like Lights Out, Annabelle: Creation, and Shazam. Until Dawn was adapted more freely for the screen.
The story in the game follows Clover and friends as they search for Clover’s missing sister, Melanie. Their search leads them to a grotesque valley, where they become trapped in a truly terrifying cycle.
However, the film presents the core elements of the game’s story in a different way and takes its own narrative path. Still, David F. Sandberg’s take on scares holds up. The film keeps viewers constantly on edge and delivers successful “gore” scenes that satisfy horror fans.
Castlevania: Nocturne
Warren Ellis is one of the leading figures in the comic book world, best known for his classic series Transmetropolitan. A ground-breaking storyteller in visual narrative, Ellis also created the animated adaptation of Konami’s epic game Castlevania, offering a complex and bloody take on the Dracula mythos.
Following the momentum of Castlevania, Netflix quickly greenlit a spin-off series. Released in early 2025, the second season of the series stands out with its ties to Castlevania and distinctive character designs. While preserving Castlevania’s beloved animation style, the story shifts its setting to the French Revolution.
Castlevania: Nocturne also brings back Dracula’s son, Alucard, and presents an enticing vampire conspiracy set during the French Revolution. By continuing the Castlevania legacy for a new generation, the series sets a strong example of how video game adaptations should be done.
This article was featured in Episode Magazine’s NEM Dubrovnik & NATPE Budapest 2025 issue.
