Movie or TV Adaptations We Desperately Need: 8 Beloved Video Games Still Missing from the Screen

Following the success of Edgerunners as an animated series, a live-action adaptation of Cyberpunk 2077 could explore entirely new corners of Night City, filled with corruption, advanced tech, and personal tragedy. In recent years, the most successful mainstream cyberpunk film has been Blade Runner 2049, which proves that the genre still has strong potential and room to grow.

A live-action Cyberpunk adaptation would work best as a series, allowing the world and its stories to expand over time. It could even bring back Keanu Reeves in a Johnny Silverhand spinoff, offering fans a deeper look into his revolutionary past and complex legacy. Now, who wouldn’t want to see Cyberpunk 2077 as a movie or TV adaptation?

7. Contra (Konami / NES)

Contra is arguably the first video game ever to bring a sci-fi shooter and cooperative action-platforming to the masses. As a movie, this could have been pure gold if released during the golden age of action blockbusters of yesteryears, led by actors such as Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jean-Claude Van Damme. It would have been a straightforward action franchise, perfect for an ’80s-style sci-fi war movie. Think Predator, Aliens, and Rambo with alien invaders.

Today, even without the celebrity star power that would have skyrocketed this film, the right cast and gritty storytelling exploring soldier camaraderie with a hint of war drama could do well as a theater experience. It’s the kind of movie meant to be watched on a big screen instead of just at home. The story is simple, but with the right writer and director, it could be nostalgic fun. This one definitely belongs on this movie or TV adaptation list. 

6. Jet Set Radio / Jet Grind Radio (Smilebit / Sega Dreamcast)

Jet Set Radio takes place in a funky, futuristic, dystopian version of Tokyo-to, where you play as a graffiti-tagging rollerblader rebelling against corporate and authoritarian control. The game explores themes of freedom of expression, music, street style, and anti-establishment ideals. Players go up against corrupt police forces, rival gangs, and even mind control as they fight to reclaim their city through art and attitude.

At the time, Jet Set Radio helped pioneer cel-shaded visuals, blending them with neon cityscapes and stylized urban environments. It would be amazing to see those colorful, bold visuals brought to life in a live-action format, paired with a jamming, genre-bending soundtrack. The game is also packed with zany, over-the-top characters and a unique flair of Japanese humor that still holds up today.

Although niche, it still has a cult following, making it a great choice for a movie or TV adaptation. On a similar note, a more grounded but stylistically comparable game that could also work in live-action is Sunset Overdrive.

5. Red Dead Redemption (especially 2)

Red Dead Redemption might not seem like it belongs on this list, since the game is already a near-perfect blend of cinema and gameplay, but think again. Great Westerns are now few and far between in modern American entertainment. A live-action series set in the gritty, lawless Old West could resonate strongly, especially if handled with the tone and depth of something like HBO’s Deadwood.

As either a movie or TV adaptation, it would bring much needed revitalization to the Western genre. The show could serve as a prequel focusing on Arthur’s early days, or it could follow events after his story by exploring a character like Dutch. It might even introduce an entirely new protagonist, similar to how the lead changed between Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2, potentially setting the stage for a future Red Dead Redemption 3.

4. Ninja Gaiden (Tecmo / NES)

When was the last time a Hollywood movie featured ninja action, ancient clans, cyber-demons, and was made for a dark, violent story with stylized fights like The Raid, John Wick, and Daredevil? Ryu Hayabusa has a long legacy and an epic trilogy that spans from arcades to the NES, but experiencing a single, strong cinematic storyline from beginning to end has the potential to be one of the most memorable martial arts-driven action movies.

The challenge is making sure the movie doesn’t end up as a shallow fight fest but instead feels like a full action-adventure that explores Ryu’s character and his battles against evil. But as either a movie or TV adaptation, it’s a win-win.

3. inFamous (Sucker Punch / Playstation)

Nearly forgotten today, inFamous arrived on the Sony Playstation before the height of the superhero pop culture boom, offering a gritty, urban take on the genre with branching morality and a grounded world. It could stand out in the current wave of superhero fatigue by doing something different, telling a morally grey and stylish story that doesn’t rely on capes or catchphrases.

inFamous is an open-world action-adventure game where players take on the role of Cole MacGrath, a bike messenger who gains powerful electrical abilities after a mysterious explosion devastates his city. As Cole, players explore a sprawling urban environment and are frequently presented with difficult choices that mirror the kind of moral dilemmas found in a university philosophy class debate. These decisions shape the story, affect Cole’s powers, and influence how the world reacts to him. This game would make a great movie or TV adaptation, shockingly.

2. EarthBound / Mother Series (Nintendo NES)

One of the most beloved NES games that never received the full American release it deserved, EarthBound introduced fans to Ness and Lucas, who later appeared in the iconic Super Smash Bros. series. In the original games, this quirky, turn-based RPG follows a group of psychic kids traveling across a zany, surreal version of America to fight cosmic evil.

The tone is like Stranger Things meets Scott Pilgrim, and with today’s special effects, it could come to life as a movie or TV adaptation in a truly unique way. Since each Mother/EarthBound game tells a complete story, a live-action adaptation could be a hit as a weird, offbeat coming-of-age feature similar to The Goonies and E.T.

1. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic (Microsoft Xbox)

As one of the most acclaimed RPGs of all time, Knights of the Old Republic would make a remarkable movie or TV adaptation into a Disney+ series. The game is lauded for its deep, original Star Wars story that stays true to George Lucas’s vision and lore. It includes meaningful player choices, a Light Side/Dark Side system that adds moral complexity, classic RPG mechanics, well-developed companions, and immersive, diverse worlds to explore. A movie or TV adaptation for a Star Wars game wouldn’t be a huge leap by any means.

Given recent controversies and fan divisions, reproducing the game’s storyline closely while expanding on it without straying too far or messing things up would definitely be worth watching, and also prove to be a huge win for both fans and Disney. Not to mention, the Star Wars franchise can definitely use some help getting back on the positive sides of fans.

Even if none of these video games ever get the movie or TV adaptation treatment, you owe it to yourself to give each of them a try at least once. Who knows—one or all of them might end up becoming a treasured part of your gaming collection. If you haven’t already, you need to read up on the top 3 PC-exclusives that need console releases.