Online game tie-ins had been as soon as cut-price affairs, greatest averted by followers and panned by critics. However these days are over.
Whereas it’s straightforward to get misplaced in a recreation, it’s even simpler to completely immerse your self within the lore when you possibly can participate passively too. These TV and film tie-ins are splendid accompaniments and fascinating curios for PlayStation avid gamers.
10
The Final of Us
Simply Sony’s best game-to-screen accomplishment, The Final of Us is a critically acclaimed adaptation of Naughty Canine’s post-apocalyptic motion journey. In it, we comply with Ellie and Joel as they navigate a world wherein a mutated pressure of the Cordyceps fungus causes a mass an infection. The primary collection aired in 2023, with the second set to premiere in April 2025. The present acquired well-earned reward upon launch, with critics significantly keen on performances from lead actors Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.
Although The Final of Us stays a trustworthy adaptation, the present makes a number of (at occasions important) adjustments which can be arduous to disregard. The timeline has been shifted to higher interact the viewer and features of the lore surrounding the an infection have been modified. The tempo is completely different, whereas the present takes the chance to flesh out and discover extra of the supporting characters and their backstories.
This makes The Final of Us adaptation properly value a watch, even in the event you’re intimately accustomed to the sport.
Steam it on Max.
9
Uncharted
Sony Footage’ try and carry Uncharted to the large display screen with 2022’s film adaptation of the identical identify makes for surprisingly watchable fare. It helps that Naughty Canine’s globetrotting action-adventure collection is already midway there. The video games are heavy on heart-pumping set items, chase sequences, shootouts, and cutscenes which can be wealthy in exposition.
Tom Holland is a spotlight as lead character Nathan Drake, whereas Mark Wahlberg simply does his standard factor (like it or hate it). The movie maintains a way of levity all through, cracking smart at any alternative and taking advantage of the collection’ propensity for unique areas.
Finest described as senseless enjoyable, the movie isn’t going to change anybody on to the collection however followers will likely be relieved that the film manages to keep away from the kind of eye-rolling moments that had been all too widespread within the games-turned-movies of the 90s.
Stream it on Max or Hulu.
8
Till Daybreak
I’m getting slightly forward of myself right here, however solely by a matter of weeks. An adaptation of Supermassive Video games’ hit interactive horror narrative recreation Till Daybreak is about to reach in cinemas on April 25, 2025. Although the sport tells a comparatively easy story of a bunch of youngsters revisiting the scene of a grotesque killing that came about a 12 months in the past, the film takes a special strategy.
As a substitute of following the slasher method, the 2025 adaptation dusts off the time loop trope wherein a bunch of youngsters goes looking for a lacking individual solely to wind up murdered. The group finds themselves trapped within the cycle, being killed again and again in ever extra grotesque methods. The one approach to escape is to outlive till daybreak.
The jury is properly and actually out on how trustworthy the variation will likely be, what kind of twist is concerned (what’s the prospect it’s somebody “taking part in” Till Daybreak?), and whether or not the forged can maintain it collectively however it’s more likely to be value a look ahead to followers of the collection (even in the event you simply wait till the film seems on streaming companies).
7
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Cyberpunk 2077 is only one entry within the long-running Cyberpunk universe, which initially dates again to 1982 when collection creator Mike Pondsmith authored the very first tabletop journey. That stated, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is the proper tie-in for anybody captivated by the world of CD Venture Purple’s expansive sci-fi roleplaying recreation.
Set in 2076, this anime miniseries from the legendary Studio Trigger serves as a prequel to the sport that takes place a 12 months later. Targeted totally on Santo Domingo, the poorest area of Evening Metropolis, the present options each English and Japanese audio and tells the story of a avenue child who falls in with the flawed crowd as an edgerunner, who should do something to outlive in a corrupt and unforgiving city dystopia.
The collection completely accompanies a playthrough of Cyberpunk 2077, and acquired widespread reward for its technical proficiency and for giving followers much more of the Cyberpunk world to sink their tooth into.
Stream it on Netflix.
Twisted Metallic was an odd alternative for a TV adaptation. The vehicular fight recreation has a protracted historical past, beginning with 1995’s PlayStation debut and ending with a reboot of the identical identify for the PS3 in 2012. In 2023, the variation was launched as a direct-to-streaming present with a second collection because of arrive someday later in 2025.
The present takes a comedic tone, which makes a whole lot of sense given the outlandish premise. Anthony Mackie takes the lead, with help from Wil Arnett, and AEW star Joe Seanoa. Reception to the present was combined, with some praising the _Twisted Metal_’s capability to get any story out of such a skinny premise, and others important of the predictable jokes and worn-out tropes.
Regardless of the present’s middling repute, it appears to have been pretty fashionable and doesn’t appear to require an excessive amount of work on the a part of the viewer. If nothing extra, it could be value a search for followers of the collection who’re inquisitive about how such a recreation interprets right into a comedy collection.
Stream it on Peacock.
5
Fallout
Whereas it’s not fairly as much as the dizzy heights of The Final of Us, Amazon’s adaptation of Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic roleplaying recreation was easily one of the streaming highlights of 2024. Should you’re an enormous fan of the Fallout universe, you gained’t be disenchanted. The present doesn’t encroach on previous Fallout plotlines or clumsily stumble into ham-fisted easter eggs.
Maybe most significantly, it’s not afraid to go full Fallout. It’s bought the music, the violence, and a way that the whole lot is just not because it appears. It even manages to cleverly incorporate most of the recreation’s core programs, together with the karma system which is mirrored within the excellently-cast set of lead characters.
Fortunately, Amazon shortly renewed the present for a second season however the dangerous information is that it’s not anticipated till someday in 2026. Fortunately, there are some excellent shows to soak in while you wait.
Stream is it on Prime Video.
4
The Witcher
CD Venture Purple’s The Witcher collection is itself based mostly on the guide collection of the identical identify by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski. Although Netflix particularly tailored the guide collection, there’s a whole lot of familiarity right here for anybody who has sunk a good period of time into the roleplaying recreation.
Notably, the collection follows core characters Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Princess Ciri. The present has been well-received, present as one of many longest-running tie-ins of all time. Initially airing in 2019, Netflix has renewed the present for a fifth and remaining season. Anybody who’s had a beloved present canceled by Netflix on a cliffhanger will perceive the importance of this transfer.
The present has notably survived the lack of Henry Cavill as Geralt, with Liam Hemsworth moving into the function for the fourth season. There’s a lot to get caught into right here whilst you watch for the long-awaited fourth game in the series.
Stream it on Netflix.
3
Gran Turismo
Sony Footage loosely based mostly the 2023 Gran Turismo film tie-in on an actual story, wherein a budding Gran Turismo gamer is picked up because of a contest to appreciate his dream of driving actual race vehicles. It’s an underdog “rags to riches” story that, at first look, seems like a little bit of a hole advertising and marketing pitch for purchasing your child a PS5 and a replica of Gran Turismo 7 for Christmas.
Regardless of this, the film appears to have earned itself a smattering of followers. It might be predictable and tacky, however so is Uncharted and I nonetheless had fun with that. Your tolerance stage right here is probably going tied intently to your fondness for racing video games and motorsport films usually.
Stream it on Netflix.
2
Resident Evil
There’s a lot of Resident Evil media on the market, and far of it isn’t good. The latest outing was the 2022 Netflix collection of the identical identify, starring the late nice Lance Reddick. Suffice to say, it was not well-received, with the plot falling aside properly earlier than the midway mark.
Some highlights that followers of the video games may wish to dig into embrace the 2002 unique adaptation Resident Evil, the weird live-action 2012 Resident Evil: Retribution, and the 2012 feature-length animation Resident Evil: Damnation. I personally at all times had a delicate spot for Resident Evil: Degeneration, a tacky feature-length animation that options each Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield (although I’ll admit it’s mediocre).
1
Castlevania
Whereas the latest Castlevania launch on a Sony console is the Dominus Assortment, three re-released golden oldies, the 2017 Castlevania anime adaptation is simply too good to not point out. The present relies on the third recreation, Symphony of the Evening, and Curse of Darkness and ran for 4 seasons by means of to 2021.
The anime was met with virtually common acclaim, with the standard of the animation, writing, and the present’s “not for youths” strategy to violence incomes its reward. A follow-up, Castlevania: Nocturne, was later developed and premiered in 2023 (with a second season arriving in early 2025), additionally to nice fanfare.
Watch each collection on Netflix.
Many Extra Exhibits and Films on the Manner
Sony appears hell-bent on transitioning lots of its most profitable gaming franchises to the cinema and streaming companies, which suggests there are various extra variations within the works. PlayStation Productions is an organization arrange for the only real objective of creating this a actuality.
This consists of film variations of Horizon Zero Daybreak, Days Gone, Ghost of Tsushima, Helldivers, and Gravity Rush along with a Resident Evil reboot and Uncharted sequel.
Sony has additionally teamed up with Amazon to carry God of Conflict to life as a miniseries. Additionally within the pipeline is a Ghost of Tsushima: Legends anime collection for Crunchyroll.
Obtained a PS5? Along with bingeing these exhibits and films, take a look at some of the best PlayStation games you might have missed.