Crash Bandicoot Animated Series on Netflix
A renowned studio is behind the series!
"Crash Bandicoot" on Netflix! According to What's on Netflix, the popular video game character is getting his own animated series soon. The show will be produced by the creators of the series "Sonic Prime". Apparently, "Crash Bandicoot" will also be aimed at a younger audience – despite lots of retro charm.
The "Crash Bandicoot" franchise was developed in 1996 by Naughty Dog – the same studio behind "Uncharted" and "The Last of Us". To this day, it remains one of the great classics of the '90s. Details about the release of the new series have yet to be announced.
The project fits Netflix's current strategy: for years, the platform has been producing more and more animated series based on popular video games – including major hits like the "League of Legends" adaptation "Arcane".
From PlayStation to the big screen: how Sony is reinventing its gaming universes
Video games have long been more than just entertainment – they tell complex stories, create emotional characters and form entire worlds that captivate millions of fans. Sony in particular has proven with its PlayStation exclusives that video games have cinematic qualities. In recent years, the company has also begun to bring these worlds to life outside the console – as films and series that have caused an international sensation.
Uncharted: the beginning of a new era
The first major step in Sony's strategy of adapting its games for cinema was the movie "Uncharted", which was released in 2022. Based on the successful game series by Naughty Dog, the film tells the adventures of the young treasure hunter Nathan Drake, played by Tom Holland, and his experienced mentor Victor "Sully" Sullivan, played by Mark Wahlberg.
The film focuses less on a direct retelling of the games and more on a stand-alone prequel, which nevertheless contains many iconic scenes and allusions. With spectacular action sequences and exotic locations, Sony succeeded in bringing the spirit of the game series to the big screen. Although critics complained that the plot lacked depth, "Uncharted" was a commercial success: the film grossed over 400 million dollars worldwide. This made it clear that Sony's plan was working – video games can also survive in the cinema.
The Last of Us: when gaming becomes great television
Even more successful was the adaptation of "The Last of Us", which was launched at the beginning of 2023 on the US channel HBO and could be seen worldwide via the streaming service HBO. The series is based on the game of the same name by Naughty Dog, which is one of the most acclaimed titles in PlayStation history.
Under the direction of Craig Mazin ("Chernobyl") and Neil Druckmann, the creative mind behind the game, an emotional and visually stunning series was created that focuses on the relationship between the main characters Joel and Ellie. Played by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, the pair impressed with their intense performances and palpable chemistry. The series remained true to the original, but expanded it with new perspectives and supporting characters, which surprised even die-hard fans.
"The Last of Us" was celebrated by critics and won several awards. It is considered one of the best video game adaptations of all time and has impressively proven that stories from the gaming world have the potential to become great television.
Gran Turismo: the true story of a gamer
In 2023, Sony brought another of its well-known brands to the big screen: "Gran Turismo". Instead of making a pure racing game adaptation, they opted for a realistic approach and told the true story of gamer Jann Mardenborough, who went from video gamer to real racing driver through the official "GT Academy" program.
The film was directed by Neill Blomkamp ("District 9") and starred David Harbour, Orlando Bloom and Archie Madekwe. The film combined adrenaline, drama and authenticity in a way that thrilled both motorsport and gaming fans. "Gran Turismo" showed that a good adaptation does not necessarily have to copy the storyline of a game, but can instead implement its inspiration in a creative way.
Looking to the future: new projects in the works
Sony has only made a start with these projects. Several other adaptations are already in development. "God of War" in particular is generating high expectations: The Amazon series is set to tell the emotional story of Kratos and his son Atreus and capture the epic atmosphere of the game.
"Horizon Zero Dawn" will also be made into a film that reinterprets the fascinating world of machine creatures. Sony is also planning a film adaptation of "Ghost of Tsushima" directed by Chad Stahelski, the creator of the "John Wick" series. The adaptation will faithfully recreate the style and aesthetics of the samurai epic.
A new chapter for PlayStation
Sony has clearly defined its vision with these projects: Its own game worlds should have an impact far beyond the console. The PlayStation Productions studio, founded in 2019, enables the company to retain control over its brands while at the same time realizing high-quality film and series productions.
The success of "The Last of Us", "Uncharted" and "Gran Turismo" shows that the boundary between gaming and cinematic art is increasingly blurring. What used to be separate media is now merging into a shared experience – and PlayStation is at the forefront of this.
