10 Classic Video Games Are Getting Movie Adaptations, Including Pong, Asteroids, & More

July 24, 2026 - 15:02

Universal Pictures has secured the rights to develop movie adaptations based on 10 classic arcade franchises, marking a major expansion of the studio's gaming portfolio. The deal covers some of the most recognizable names in video game history, including Pong, Asteroids, Breakout, and Centipede. Other titles in the package include Missile Command, Adventure, and Crystal Castles.

The move is part of a broader trend in Hollywood, where studios are increasingly looking to established gaming properties for fresh material. Unlike recent adaptations of modern narrative-driven games, these Atari titles present a unique challenge. Many of them, like Pong and Breakout, have no characters or storylines to speak of. They are simple, high-score chases built on basic mechanics.

Producers have hinted that the films will not be literal translations. Instead, they plan to use the core concepts of each game as a jumping-off point for original stories. For example, a Pong movie might focus on the competitive spirit of early digital sports, while an Asteroids film could be a survival thriller set in deep space. The goal is to capture the feeling of the games rather than their exact gameplay.

No directors or writers have been attached yet. The project is still in early development, but the sheer number of properties involved suggests Universal sees long-term potential in the Atari library. With nostalgia for the 1970s and 1980s at an all-time high, these adaptations could tap into a broad audience of both older gamers and younger viewers discovering these classics for the first time.