NBCUniversal Presses Play on Making TV Shows and Movies Based on Video Games
From fan-favorite characters to gritty new worlds, NBCUniversal is turnings treasured video games into screen adaptations and more.
October 27, 2023
With beloved classic characters, post-apocalyptic landscapes, and scare-fueled frights, NBCUniversal is working across the portfolio to reimagine hit video games as television series, films, and even theme park rides. Next up, on October 27th, Five Nights at Freddy’s gamers can find their favorite video game characters in a movie-adaptation, either on the theatrical big-screen or from the comfort of their gaming chair with same-day streaming on Peacock.
NBCU Collaborated with Nintendo to make The Super Mario Bros. Movie One of the Best Video Game Movies in Recent Memory
In April, Universal Pictures released Illumination and Nintendo's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, an animated family film that had the whole world watching and earned over $1.3 billion at the global box office, and has broken records on Peacock as the most watched Pay 1 movie on the streaming platform.
While some have claimed that video games are difficult IP to adapt to screen, in a conversation with Bloomberg, Illumination’s CEO Chris Meledandri explained how he collaborated with Nintendo to make the film work. “I can say with great confidence that we would not have been able to do this without that partnership with Nintendo. One might take from that that the way to make a successful adaptation is to work closely with the creator. I do believe that.”
Mario’s success was seen not only in the film but also in exciting new theme parks. Super Nintendo World, which made its worldwide debut in 2021 as the first multi-level land at Universal Studios Japan, then opened in 2023 in Universal Studios Hollywood, and is slated to open in Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe in 2025.
The Twisted Metal Video Game Adaptation Has Become a Fan-Favorite TV Series Since Its July Premiere
In July, Peacock released Twisted Metal, an action-comedy series based on the iconic PlayStation game with a RottenTomatoes fan score of 94%. It premiered as one of Peacock’s top Original series and the streamer’s most-binged comedy to-date. The show not only adds fresh twists and turns, but also delights fans of the video game by incorporating hidden easter eggs and visual cues from the original title, with one critic from Forbes writing “Twisted Metal is one of the best video game adaptations I’ve ever seen.”
Another Highly Anticipated Upcoming Video Game Movie: Five Nights at Freddy’s
And scheduled to release next is Universal Pictures’ highly anticipated horror movie adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy’s, which lands in theaters and on Peacock on October 27th. From horror legend Jason Blum’s Blumhouse productions, the movie follows Mike, a troubled young security guard at abandoned theme restaurant Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria, who is haunted by the unsolved disappearance of his younger brother more than a decade before.
In addition to the film, Freddy Fazbear and the characters of Five Nights at Freddy’s will be brought to life at Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.
