Screen adaptations of video games have come a long way. More than three decades ago, when Super Mario Bros hit cinemas in 1993, it was met with widespread contempt – even from some of the people behind it. Actor Bob Hoskins famously said it was the worst project he had ever worked on.
Today, successful projects like The Last of Us, Fallout and Sonic the Hedgehog, all released over the past four years, have changed the game, increasing the likelihood that video game adaptations of the future will be well-received by both fans and critics.
They can’t all hit the mark, as shown by this year’s Borderlands film. The adaptation has a 10 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes, and took in little more than $32 million at the box office, despite its $115 million budget.
But as a genre, the tide has turned, with more and more projects being given the green light. As all-things-superhero show signs of slowdown, it’s likely that video game adaptations will continue to be television and box office big hitters.
Looking forward, here are some of the biggest films and TV shows, adapted from video games, to come over the next two years.
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (October 10)
Lara Croft returns after three big-screen adaptations, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in 2001, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life in 2003 and Tomb Raider in 2018. In the films, Croft was portrayed by Angelina Jolie for the first two and then Alicia Vikander for the third. This time, the Tomb Raider returns in an exciting cartoon project from Netflix, which has had success with previous anime-style cartoon video game adaptations Arcane and Cyberpunk 2077.
Hayley Atwell voices the daring Croft in the series, with Richard Armitage also lending his voice to the show.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza (October 25, November 1)
The Yakuza series from Sega, which started in 2005, contains many mainline games and spin-offs, offering a near-endless gaming experience exploring the world of Japanese organised crime. There have been previous adaptations of the games for television, but they were mostly made for Japanese television.
Produced by Amazon, the new show promises to be the most faithful adaptation of the Yakuza story yet. The show stars Ryoma Takeuchi as the game’s protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. The first three episodes will be released on Amazon Video on October 25 with the second three episodes arriving on November 1.
Arcane: Season 2 (November)
The second season of the popular show based on the League of Legends games is arriving in November. The first season was a smash hit when it was released on Netflix in 2021. Arcane also became a critical hit, winning four Primetime Emmys.
Lending their voices to the animated series are Hailee Steinfeld, Kevin Alejandro, Jason Spisak and Terri Douglas. The show follows the origins of two iconic League of Legends champions and the power that tears them apart.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (December 20)
The beloved blue hedgehog, part of gaming culture since 1991, returns for a third film in the franchise that started in 2020 and spawned a sequel in 2022. Sonic, voiced by Ben Schwartz, reunites with Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba) to take on Shadow, who Keanu Reeves will voice.
Jim Carrey also returns to play Dr Robotnik, who looks like he is finally evolving into the appearance he is known for in the video games, sporting a ridiculously exaggerated moustache as well as large comical spectacles. The film arrives in cinemas on December 20.
A Minecraft Movie (April 4, 2025)
The first trailer for the upcoming Minecraft film has drawn different reactions. Many commented on the appearance of the game characters, saying they don’t look quite right, while others seem confused by Jack Black’s portrayal of the game’s main character, Steve.
Nevertheless, a film is coming next year, and it is sure to grab the attention of the legions of fans who love the game. Alongside Black, the film also stars Jason Momoa, Jennifer Coolidge, Jemaine Clement, Kate McKinnon and Danielle Brooks.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (December 5, 2025)
The Five Nights at Freddy’s games began life as a simple computer game that delivered a reliable scary gaming experience. The game's popularity grew exponentially as streamers and YouTubers played them and shared their over-the-top reactions to the scares.
After multiple games, a film adaptation was given the green light and arrived in cinemas last year. It made more than $290 million against its humble $20 million budget, becoming one of the most profitable films of the year and kicking off a new horror franchise.
The sequel is set to arrive in December of next year, but excitement is already building for a franchise that has the potential to follow in the footsteps of successful long-running horror series such as Saw and Scream.
The Last of Us: Season 2 (2025)
The second season of the award-winning show Last of Us is set to arrive next year. The first season was a global sensation that brought a lot of attention to the games. It tells the story of zombie apocalypse survivor Joel and his quest to protect Ellie, who could possess the cure for the zombie outbreak in her. Created by Craig Mazin who previously made the chilling Chernobyl show, Last of Us has won eight Primetime Emmys.
The story in the debut season closely mirrors the events of the first game, with the new season picking up the story from the second game. The show stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna and Kaitlyn Dever. There’s no set date for when it will air, but it is expected to be in the first half of 2025.
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
LEADERBOARD
%3Cp%3E-19%20T%20Fleetwood%20(Eng)%3B%20-18%20R%20McIlroy%20(NI)%2C%20T%20Lawrence%20(SA)%3B%20-16%20J%20Smith%3B%20-15%20F%20Molinari%20(Ita)%3B%20-14%20Z%20Lombard%20(SA)%2C%20S%20Crocker%20(US)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESelected%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E-11%20A%20Meronk%20(Pol)%3B%20-10%20E%20Ferguson%20(Sco)%3B%20-8%20R%20Fox%20(NZ)%20-7%20L%20Donald%20(Eng)%3B%20-5%20T%20McKibbin%20(NI)%2C%20N%20Hoejgaard%20(Den)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Results
5pm: Reem Island – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Farasah, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
5.30pm: Sir Baniyas Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: SSR Ghazwan, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Astral Del Sol, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Al Maryah Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Toumadher, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar
7pm: Yas Island – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Saadiyat Island – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,400m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Gary Sanchez, Ismail Mohammed
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh12 million
Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto
Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm
Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Results
2pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,200m, Winner: Mouheeb, Tom Marquand (jockey), Nicholas Bachalard (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Honourable Justice, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dark Silver, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Dark Of Night. Antonio Fresu, Al Muhairi.
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Habah, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
GROUPS AND FIXTURES
Group A
UAE, Italy, Japan, Spain
Group B
Egypt, Iran, Mexico, Russia
Tuesday
4.15pm: Italy v Japan
5.30pm: Spain v UAE
6.45pm: Egypt v Russia
8pm: Iran v Mexico
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The Transfiguration
Director: Michael O’Shea
Starring: Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine
Three stars
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
