Hollywood’s Next Blockbuster Trend Is Video Games, Ditching Comic Books According To The Batman Writer

In recent years, it has been an ongoing trend of video game-adapted films becoming more & more apparent. The approach is a proven success with films like The Super Mario Bros. Galaxy Movie which grossed over $960 million in the global box office. Similarly Minecraft was also equally successful and a sequel, A Minecraft Movie – Squared, has been officially greenlit as well.

Other Hollywood, video game phenomena include Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog. Now with its fourth installment, the new film follows closely to the plot of Sonic CD starring Amy Rose & Metal Sonic. Filming just completed back in May. Even smaller production firms like A24 are taking the risk on video game movies. FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is planning to release in March 2028 with Alex Garland (Dredd, Ex Machina) to direct. 

And with the growing popularity of these films yet to reach the ceiling, the conversation has also pivoted to the previous trend: comic book films. The medium appears to be turning down the heat as films of the genre don’t generate as much as in previous years. Even The Batman writer Mattson Tomlin is vocal on the matter. On X, he revealed that the industry is already shifting the blockbuster trend.

In a later thread, Tomlin went on to elaborate that he has been offered more projects pertaining to video games over comic book adaptations. “My point of view is also born out of the fact that I am getting at least 5x more offers for video game adaptations than comic book adaptations this year.” Tomlin has previously confirmed that he did pen drafts for a Mega Man film which has yet to show signs of progress.

“I wrote a fun set of drafts and then I believe another writer came on some years later. Hope it gets made, there was a really emotional and surprising way in,” Tomlin elaborated in one response. Last hearing of the Mega Man movie was back in 2022 where IGN confirmed the film was picked up by Netflix. You can read the full report by heading here.

Are you surprised that Hollywood is transitioning its focus from comic books to video games?