Video games have been making an impact in the film industry for quite a while now, but the year 2026 is set to bring a wave of fresh releases. Some arrive with familiar faces, while others introduce new worlds that have already made their mark through consoles and screens.
Anticipation Across the Globe
Video games are a central part of entertainment culture across the globe. In the southern hemisphere, the influence of the gaming industry runs deep through daily life and culture. In Australia, this connection is very particular. While video games attract a large audience, a great share of attention also goes to online pokies.
Online pokies have long been a motif found in cinema. Similarly, film themes such as fantasy, pirates, ancient Egypt, outer space, and classic horror have found their way into the reels and animations. The best online real money pokies present those themes through three-reel setups and advanced versions with features like free spins, multipliers, and progressive jackpots.
Just as online pokies remain part of Australian culture, so do video games that turn into major films. A Minecraft Movie proved this when it became the highest-grossing video game adaptation in Australian cinema history. That success showed how deeply gaming connects with Australians on the big screen.
Return to Silent Hill
Return to Silent Hill arrives first on 26 January 2026. This is an adaptation of Silent Hill 2, a classic psychological horror story from 2001. The film stars Jeremy Irvine as James Sunderland and Hannah Emily Anderson as Maria. It is directed by Christophe Gans, who directed the 2006 Silent Hill movie.
The story follows James as he is searching for his deceased wife after receiving a mysterious letter that draws him to the fog-covered town. Fans of the franchise appreciate Gans’ promise to stay true to the original film’s tone. With horror performing consistently well in theatres, this movie may surprise analysts with its reach.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2
The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 premiers on 3 April 2026. The first movie became a billion-dollar success story, which placed it among the most profitable animated films in history. Universal Pictures and Illumination are continuing the journey of Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach.
The film will likely explore new parts of the Mushroom Kingdom, introducing additional Nintendo characters to widen its universe. The combination of nostalgia, family-friendly humour, and vibrant animation makes this fil a massive box-office potential. Analysts predict that this film may dominate international markets, especially in Japan and Australia.
Mortal Kombat 2
Mortal Kombat 2 is bringing its intense fights and mythic tournament back to cinemas on 15 May 2026. The first movie, released in 2021, became one of HBO Max’s breakout streaming successes. This time, the sequel arrives with a bigger cast and a confirmed cinematic release.
Simon McQuoid returns as director, and Jeremy Slater, known for Moon Knight, wrote the script. Karl Urban joins as Johnny Cage, one of the franchise’s most recognisable faces.
The story will expand the conflict between Earthrealm and Outworld. It blends martial arts, fantasy, and special effects on a larger scale. The timing of its release allows it to benefit from the post-Easter market, where action films often dominate ticket sales.
The Year of Shared Worlds
Each of these 2026 releases is a different facet of the gaming world. Their presence’s synergy makes 2026 a year boldly marked by game-inspired cinema.
These movies showcase the continuing influence of gaming storytelling on global cinema. Quest structure, missions, visual design, and the like fit naturally into the context of film storytelling.
With studios investing in digital to increase production and take their work to the world, the relationship between games and cinema continues to deepen.