Why Isn’t There a ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ Movie Yet?
Despite the growing trend of video game adaptations in Hollywood, a film based on ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ is still absent. As of 2023, there has been a notable surge in adaptations, with an average annual increase of 30 percent since 2019. According to Ampere Analysis, studios are actively seeking fresh material, and four major game intellectual properties remain unclaimed.
Increase in Video Game Adaptations
From 2019 to 2025, a total of 272 video game adaptations have been approved for both film and television. The year 2024 particularly stood out, with 62 new projects greenlit.
Shift from Animation to Live Action
Historically, video game adaptations leaned towards animated formats. However, a significant shift is underway. The success of high-profile titles like ‘The Last of Us’ and ‘A Minecraft Movie’ has propelled studios toward live-action projects. In 2025, a remarkable 69 percent of commissioned adaptations were live-action, a stark increase from prior years.
Current Market Dynamics
Recently, 18 new video game adaptations were approved, with 78 percent being live-action. Major companies, such as Warner Bros., Paramount, Netflix, Comcast, and Amazon, have each acquired rights to at least 10 prominent game franchises. Warner Bros. and Paramount Skydance favor theatrical releases due to the profitability demonstrated by titles like ‘A Minecraft Movie,’ which grossed $958 million worldwide. In contrast, Amazon, Disney, Netflix, and Comcast are leaning towards streaming series for deeper audience engagement.
Keys to Success in Adaptations
Ampere Analysis has identified eight crucial elements that contribute to a successful video game adaptation:
- Defined narrative
- Adaptation style (live-action vs. animated)
- Addressable audience
- Franchise first release year
- Franchise popularity
- Title popularity
- Title recency
- ESRB age rating
Research indicates that less restrictive age ratings tend to improve the chances of renewal for adaptations, broadening their audience while remaining true to original narratives.
High-Potential Titles Ready for Adaptation
Ampere Analysis has spotlighted four video game franchises ripe for adaptation:
- Baldur’s Gate 3 (M for Mature 17+)
- Black Myth: Wukong (T for Teen)
- Hollow Knight: Silksong (T for Teen)
- Sons of the Forest (M for Mature 17+)
Baldur’s Gate 3, released in 2023, has captured significant attention within the gaming community. Set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, this role-playing game follows a party on a quest to rid themselves of a parasitic tadpole. The game has achieved critical acclaim, becoming the first to win Game of the Year at all five major gaming award ceremonies.
With such potential, the question remains: why isn’t there a ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ movie yet? The landscape is shifting rapidly, and it seems only a matter of time before this acclaimed title gets its moment on the big screen.
