Atari Partners With Universal for Ten Retro Movie Adaptations
Hollywood's adaptation of classic retro games continues to expand, as Atari has announced a partnership with Universal Pictures to produce ten movies based on its expansive backcatalogue. The deal, which also involves Entertainment 360, was reported by Deadline in July 2026. The partnership aims to create big-scale action-adventure films inspired by the company's library of arcade and home console hits.
Which Atari Games Are Included in the Universal Deal?
The full agreement gives Universal the option to adapt ten specific titles from Atari's history. The list includes:
- Asteroids
- Adventure
- Berzerk
- Breakout
- Centipede
- Crystal Castles
- Millipede
- Missile Command
- Pong
- Yars' Revenge
Universal reportedly already has one project from the deal in active development. While the specific game being adapted remains undisclosed, the script is being written by Matt Reilly and Carl Hampe.
Universal's Track Record With Video Game Adaptations
Atari boss Wade Rosen noted the enduring popularity of the company's creations across five decades, stating an excitement to bring the brand to a new medium. Universal brings extensive experience in video game adaptations to the partnership. The studio distributed the Super Mario Galaxy film, which crossed one billion at the box office, alongside the Five Nights at Freddy's movie, which recorded the second-largest video game adaptation debut of all time. Universal's past video game adaptations also include 2005's Doom movie and the 2016 World of Warcraft adaptation.
As of right now, neither Atari nor Universal has announced a release window for the first film in the ten-picture partnership.