5 Reasons Elden Ring Deserves a Movie Adaptation

Elden Ring, the 2022 masterpiece from FromSoftware and Hidetaka Miyazaki, with world-building contributions from George R.R. Martin, has captivated gamers with its sprawling open world, intricate lore, and punishing yet rewarding gameplay. Set in the Lands Between, a fractured realm ruled by demigods and steeped in mystery, this action RPG has sold over 25 million copies and earned a 96/100 on Metacritic, cementing its status as a modern classic. As video game adaptations gain traction in Hollywood—think The Last of Us (2023) and Fallout (2024)—Elden Ring stands out as a prime candidate for the big screen. This essay explores five compelling reasons why adapting Elden Ring into a movie could succeed, from its rich narrative to its cinematic potential.

A Mythic, Expansive Lore Begging for Storytelling

Elden Ring’s greatest strength is its dense, enigmatic lore, co-crafted by Miyazaki and Martin, a master of epic fantasy. The Lands Between is a shattered kingdom where the Elden Ring, a cosmic artifact, has been broken, sparking a war among demigod siblings like Radagon, Malenia, and Rykard. This backdrop—steeped in betrayal, divine ambition, and ancient mysteries—offers a narrative goldmine. A movie could follow a Tarnished, the player’s avatar, on a quest to restore the Elden Ring, weaving in the tragic histories of characters like Starscourge Radahn or the Scarlet Rot-afflicted Malenia. Unlike linear games, Elden Ring’s fragmented storytelling, delivered through item descriptions and cryptic NPC dialogue, mirrors Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, making it ripe for a script that unravels its secrets cinematically. The depth ensures a film could stand alone, captivating both fans and newcomers.

 Visually Stunning World for Cinematic Spectacle

The Lands Between is a visual feast, from the golden Erdtree illuminating Limgrave to the crumbling, gothic spires of Stormveil Castle and the eerie, crimson swamps of Caelid. This diversity—lush plains, underground cities, volcanic wastes—offers a canvas for breathtaking cinematography. A film could showcase sweeping shots of the Erdtree’s glow against a twilight sky or the haunting desolation of Farum Azula, a floating ruin. The game’s art direction, praised in a 2022 IGN review for its “otherworldly beauty,” aligns with the epic scope of films like The Lord of the Rings. Paired with practical sets and CGI, Elden Ring’s aesthetic could rival Peter Jackson’s Middle-earth, delivering a visual spectacle that justifies a big-budget adaptation.

 Complex Characters with Dramatic Potential

Elden Ring’s cast of demigods, warriors, and oddities provides rich material for character-driven drama. Characters like Miquella, the cursed eternal child, or Ranni, the witch plotting against the Golden Order, carry tragic and morally ambiguous arcs ripe for exploration. A movie could center on the Tarnished’s encounters with these figures, delving into Ranni’s rebellion or the sibling rivalry between Morgott and Mohg. The game’s NPCs, like the loyal blacksmith Hewg or the quirky jar warrior Alexander, add humor and heart, balancing the gravitas. These layered personalities, combined with the game’s themes of ambition and sacrifice, offer actors a chance to shine, much like HBO’s Game of Thrones brought Martin’s characters to life with emotional depth.

Action-Packed Gameplay Translates to Thrilling Sequences

Elden Ring’s brutal, methodical combat—sword clashes, sorcery, and epic boss battles—screams for cinematic translation. Imagine a film depicting the Tarnished facing the towering Starscourge Radahn, a general who halts the stars, in a battle across a desert littered with fallen warriors. Or picture Malenia’s balletic, deadly dance, her Scarlet Rot blooming in a visceral, horrifying display. The game’s mechanics, like parrying and horseback combat, could inspire choreographed sequences akin to John Wick’s precision or Dune’s epic clashes. A 2022 Polygon review lauded Elden Ring’s boss fights as “cinematic masterpieces,” and with skilled stunt coordination and VFX, a movie could capture that adrenaline, appealing to action fans and gamers alike.

 Thematic Depth for a Meaningful Narrative

Beyond its surface, Elden Ring explores profound themes—power, corruption, destiny, and the cycle of decay and renewal. The shattering of the Elden Ring reflects fractured societies, while the Tarnished’s journey questions free will versus fate, a universal draw for audiences. A film could frame this as an epic odyssey, with the Tarnished confronting their role in a broken world, paralleled by the demigods’ flawed ambitions. This depth aligns with successful adaptations like The Witcher, which wove complex themes into a compelling story. By tackling these ideas, an Elden Ring movie could transcend typical blockbuster fare, offering substance alongside spectacle and resonating in today’s fractured cultural landscape.

Elden Ring has all the ingredients for a standout video game movie adaptation: a mythic lore ripe for storytelling, a visually stunning world, complex characters, thrilling action, and deep themes. With a talented team—perhaps a director like Denis Villeneuve for visual flair and a writer like Martin for narrative heft—it could join the ranks of acclaimed adaptations, appealing to fans and a broader audience. As video game movies evolve, Elden Ring offers a chance to craft a bold, beautiful, and thought-provoking film, proving the Lands Between belong on the big screen.