Video Games Poised to Overtake Comic Books in Hollywood Adaptations, Says Report

Video games are poised to dethrone comic books as the favored franchise well for screen adaptations, according to a recent report from Ampere Analysis. In a study titled “From comics to games: The changing face of Hollywood adaptations,” the British research firm found that 2023 marked a turning point in the battle of the IPs.

Ampere uses a metric called “popularity score” based on average global consumer search volumes on the internet for film and TV projects. The report assessed the top 10 most popular newly-released projects in 2023 and found that video game adaptations saw a strong uptick in popularity, while content based on comic books dipped. Only one comic book adaptation, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, made the list, a significant decline from previous years.

The 2020s have seen a shift towards video game IPs expanding into films and series, with successful adaptations like Detective Pikachu and Sonic the Hedgehog leading the way. The report suggests that the surge in gaming activity during the pandemic may have contributed to the increased popularity of video game adaptations.

While 2021 was the last year to see a clear dominance of comic book franchises, last year was tough for most comic book adaptations, with films like The Marvels and The Flash facing slow box office returns. Studios have begun transitioning into the gaming realm, with gaming adaptations showing the potential to match or exceed the success of comic adaptations.

However, the report cautions that studios will need to establish a consistent approach to ensure the success of gaming adaptations, as the performance of game-based projects can be more variable. Despite the challenges faced by comic book adaptations, they will continue to be an important component of studio and network strategies.

Overall, the report highlights the changing landscape of Hollywood adaptations, with video games emerging as a strong contender to dethrone comic books as the favored franchise for screen adaptations. Studios will need to navigate this shift carefully to ensure the success of future projects in both genres.