Following the successful cinematic adaptation of Uncharted in 2022 and the critically acclaimed HBO series based on The Last of Us, Sony's announcement of a Horizon Zero Dawn movie was highly anticipated. PlayStation Studios and Columbia Pictures have officially confirmed a film adaptation, promising a cinematic portrayal of Aloy's origins and the game's distinctive, machine-populated world. While still in early development, the film has strong potential to be Sony's first major video game box office triumph—provided it stays true to the source material.

Recent years have witnessed numerous successful video game adaptations on both the big and small screens. The Super Mario Bros. and Sonic movies, aimed at family audiences, serve as benchmarks for critical acclaim and box office success. On television, Sony's The Last of Us, alongside Netflix's Arcane and Amazon Prime's Fallout, are fan favorites. Even adaptations with mixed reviews have achieved significant box office returns; the Tom Holland-led Uncharted film grossed over $400 million.

However, challenges remain. While the "video game curse" is largely a thing of the past, some adaptations still fall short. Uncharted, despite its audience appeal, wasn't the faithful adaptation many fans hoped for. Conversely, last year's Borderlands film and Amazon's Like a Dragon: Yakuza series underperformed critically and commercially, demonstrating a lack of commitment to the source material's storyline, lore, and tone. These failures highlight a broader issue with adaptations generally. Netflix's The Witcher, for example, took significant liberties with its source material, altering events, characters, and the overall tone. While adaptations often necessitate changes, these examples illustrate a departure from the original works. This can deeply disappoint fans—the intended initial audience—and ultimately hinder the project's success.

This brings us back to Horizon. A previous attempt at a Netflix series, rumored to be titled "Horizon 2074" and set before the apocalypse, proved divisive among fans. This pre-apocalypse setting, never officially confirmed, lacked the iconic robotic creatures that are central to the game's appeal. Fortunately, that project is no longer in development, and the focus has shifted to a theatrical release. This is a strategic move, as the larger budget of a Hollywood film is crucial for realizing the game's visually stunning world.

If the Horizon film emulates the success of The Last of Us, it has the potential to be PlayStation's first major cinematic win. The success of Fallout, Arcane, and The Last of Us demonstrates the importance of faithfulness to the source material—not just visually, but also in terms of tone and narrative. Gamers value authenticity. While The Last of Us introduced new storylines, it remained true to the game's core narrative structure, resonating with both existing fans and newcomers. Similarly, a faithful adaptation of Horizon could achieve widespread success.

The compelling narrative of Horizon Zero Dawn, which won Best Narrative at The Game Awards 2017 and Outstanding Achievement in Story at the 2018 DICE Awards, deserves a faithful adaptation. Set in 31st-century North America, the story follows Aloy as she unravels the mysteries of her origins and their connection to the old-world scientist Elisabet Sobeck. Aloy, along with her allies Erend and Varl, are compelling characters. The game's exploration of climate change and the rogue AI that created the robotic creatures adds depth, as does the enigmatic presence of Sylens.

The rich world-building, with its diverse tribes and settlements, offers a compelling canvas for a film franchise. Similar to James Cameron's Avatar, a Horizon film could explore the cultures and traditions of tribes like the Nora. The unique combat encounters, featuring creatures like Sawtooths, Tallnecks, and Stormbirds, offer visually stunning action sequences. These elements, combined with rival tribes and the rogue AI Hades, provide ample material for a captivating film.

Horizon's inherent cinematic qualities make it ideally suited for adaptation. Its unique world, compelling story, and visually striking aesthetic have all the ingredients for a critically and commercially successful film franchise. The expansive story of Forbidden West further enhances its potential for a long-term cinematic series. The opportunity exists to create a film franchise that mirrors the success of the games.

A successful adaptation hinges on preserving the elements that made the games so popular. By staying true to the source material, Sony can set a precedent for future adaptations of titles like Ghost of Tsushima and Helldivers 2. Conversely, deviating from what made Horizon successful risks alienating fans and incurring financial setbacks, as seen with Borderlands. Sony must recognize the potential of Horizon and deliver a faithful adaptation that resonates with audiences.

What video game adaptation are you most excited for?

Horizon Zero DawnHelldivers 2Ghost of TsushimaThe Legend of ZeldaA Minecraft MovieUntil DawnGears of WarOther (let us know in the comments)AnswerSee Results