IPs like Arcane and Fallout have shown that with the right creative team, PC and console games can successfully make the leap to the screen. Angry Birds proved mobile games can do it too. Now, one of the most iconic mobile titles of all time, Clash of Clans, is preparing its own show for Netflix.
But game adaptations go far beyond these headline projects. Japan, in particular, has long mastered the art of multimedia storytelling, spanning games, anime, and film. Can Western studios learn from this and deliver equally compelling series? Only time will tell.
For now, let’s take a look at every mobile game adaptation that has already made the jump to film, TV, or animation!
Films (Theatrical & Direct-to-Video)
The Angry Birds Movie (2016) – An animated theatrical film based on Rovio’s Angry Birds mobile game.
The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019) – Sequel to the animated film based on the Angry Birds game series.
Neko Atsume no Ie (Neko Atsume’s House) (2017) – A live-action Japanese film inspired by the cat-collecting mobile game Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector.
Fate/Grand Order – An animated film series adaptation of the Fate/Grand Order mobile RPG.
Ensemble Stars!! Road to Show!! (2022) – Animated theatrical film based on the idol-training mobile game Ensemble Stars!.
Monster Strike: The Movie (2016) – Japanese animated adventure film based on Mixi’s Monster Strike mobile game. (Followed by Monster Strike: Sora no Kanata in 2018 and Monster Strike: Lucifer – Dawn of Despair in 2020.)
Television & Streaming Series (Animated)
Angry Birds Toons (2013–2016) – Finnish animated TV/web series based on Rovio’s Angry Birds franchise. Spawned short spin-offs like Angry Birds Stella (2014–2016), Piggy Tales (2014–2019), and Angry Birds Blues (2017), all cartoon series set in the Angry Birds universe.
Talking Tom & Friends (2014–2021) – CGI animated children’s series (YouTube/TV) based on Outfit7’s Talking Tom mobile app franchise.
Clash-A-Rama! (2016–2018) – An animated comedy series (web/YouTube) based on Supercell’s Clash of Clans and Clash Royale games.
Ingress: The Animation (2018) – Sci-fi anime series on Netflix based on Niantic’s AR mobile game Ingress, following a new storyline within the game’s world.
Princess Connect! Re: Dive (2020–2022) – Anime TV series (2 seasons) adapting Cygames’ Princess Connect! Re: Dive RPG mobile game
Granblue Fantasy: The Animation (2017 & 2019) – Anime series (2 seasons) based on Cygames’ Granblue Fantasy mobile RPG.
- Puzzle & Dragons X (2016–2018) – Anime series adaptation of GungHo’s Puzzle & Dragons mobile puzzle-RPG (via the 3DS spinoff game).
- Monster Strike (2015–2017) – Japanese net anime series based on the Monster Strike mobile game. (Followed by a second season in 2017. Also spawned films listed above.)
- Rage of Bahamut: Genesis (2014) – Anime series based on Cygames’ Rage of Bahamut mobile card game. A sequel series Virgin Soul aired in 2017, and a spin-off Mysteria Friends (Manaria Friends) in 2019.
- The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls (2015) – Anime series based on Bandai Namco’s Idolmaster Cinderella Girls social mobile game. (Followed by short gag spinoff series Cinderella Girls Theater (2017–2019).)
- Ensemble Stars! (2019) – Anime series by David Production adapting the male-idol mobile game Ensemble Stars.
- Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story (2020–2022) – Anime series (3 seasons) adapted from the Magia Record mobile game (a Madoka Magica spin-off).
- Girls’ Frontline (2022) – Anime television series based on the Girls’ Frontline tactical mobile game about android “T-Dolls”. (Previously, two short mini-anime series – Healing Chapter (2019) and Madness Chapter (2020) – were produced in Japan.)
- Arknights: Prelude to Dawn (2022) – Anime series adapting the story of the Arknights mobile strategy-RPG. A second season (Arknights: Perish in Frost) followed in 2023.
- Fate/Grand Order – Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia (2019–2020) – Anime TV series adapting the “Babylonia” chapter of the Fate/Grand Order mobile game. (Several F/GO anime specials also aired, e.g. First Order (2016) and Moonlight/Lostroom (2017).)
- Azur Lane (2019–2020) – Anime series based on the Azur Lane naval warfare mobile game featuring personified ships. (Followed by a short spinoff series, Azur Lane: Slow Ahead!, in 2021 and an OVA, Queen’s Orders, in 2023
Short-Form Web Cartoons and Other Web Series
Om Nom Stories (2011–present) – A British-Russian web cartoon series featuring Om Nom from ZeptoLab’s Cut the Rope mobile puzzle game. The short episodes (1–3 min) chronicle Om Nom’s adventures outside the game.
Fruit Ninja: Frenzy Force (2017) – A short-form CGI animated series (YouTube/YouTube Red) based on Halfbrick’s Fruit Ninja mobile game. It follows a team of young Fruit Ninjas using “juice-jitsu” powers to battle evil.
Talking Tom Shorts & Minis (2015–2020) – Short 2D and 3D cartoon webisodes based on Talking Tom (ran alongside the main CGI series).
Candy Crush (2017) – A CBS live-action game show based on the hit mobile puzzle game Candy Crush Saga, featuring contestants competing on giant interactive game boards. (Hosted by Mario Lopez, it ran for one season as a televised adaptation of the mobile game’s mechanics.)
Summoners War: Friends & Rivals (2019) – A short animated web film (~7 minutes) produced to promote Com2uS’s Summoners War RPG mobile game. (An animated series adaptation of Summoners War was also in development.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang – “Legends of Dawn: The Sacred Stone” (2021) – A Southeast-Asia produced 3D animated mini-series (released online) based on the popular MOBA Mobile Legends. It follows MLBB heroes like Alucard and Fanny on an adventure seeking a sacred stone.
Honor of Kings (Wangzhe Rongyao) – Animated Series (2020s) – Tencent’s hit Chinese mobile MOBA Honor of Kings has spawned animated adaptations, such as Honor of Kings: The Legend of Luo Xiaohei (2017 miniseries) and the newer Honor of Kings: Destiny (2025, featuring hero characters). Additionally, an episode of Amazon’s 2024 anthology “Secret Level” was dedicated to Honor of Kings.
