Horizon Zero Dawn TV Series Scrapped in Favor of Film Adaptation, Confirms PlayStation Productions

PlayStation’s ambitious plan to bring Horizon Zero Dawn to television has been officially scrapped. Instead, the critically acclaimed open-world action RPG from Guerrilla Games will now be adapted into a feature-length film, as confirmed by PlayStation Productions head Asad Qizilbash in a recent interview with Variety.

The shift was subtly revealed earlier this year during Sony's CES 2025 presentation, where the company teased a movie adaptation of Horizon Zero Dawn—an announcement fans initially assumed was in addition to the in-development Netflix series. However, Qizilbash clarified that the movie replaces the planned TV show, citing creative differences between PlayStation Productions and Netflix as the primary reason behind the pivot.

“The TV show version that PlayStation Productions was working on with Netflix just wasn't creatively going how we wanted to,” Qizilbash said. “We felt a change was needed.”

This creative redirection marks a notable shift in strategy for Sony’s entertainment division, which has been steadily increasing its investment in adapting PlayStation IPs for television and film. While HBO’s The Last of Us has proven to be a critically and commercially successful model for game-to-screen adaptation, other projects such as Twisted Metal and Uncharted have seen more mixed responses from audiences and critics alike.

A New Direction for Horizon Zero Dawn

Though details about the Horizon Zero Dawn film adaptation remain scarce—including cast, director, or release window—Qizilbash emphasized the potential of video game IPs when translated thoughtfully for new media formats.

“I think what people have seen in Hollywood is that video game adaptations, if done right, can actually be very popular, and they scale really well. That's been a big sea change that I've seen in the last five, six years,” Qizilbash noted during the conversation.

The adaptation’s transition to film likely signals a shift in scale, tone, and narrative structure. While a television series would have allowed for deeper exploration of Horizon’s expansive post-apocalyptic world, a feature film could offer a more cinematic, tightly crafted story centered around Aloy’s journey, robotic wildlife, and the mysteries of a fallen civilization.

Adaptation Landscape: High Stakes and Higher Expectations

This decision also places added pressure on PlayStation Productions, which has so far delivered mixed results in its venture into Hollywood. HBO’s The Last of Us remains the gold standard, while the Uncharted and Gran Turismo films, despite financial success, failed to resonate critically. Meanwhile, Twisted Metal is preparing for its second season this summer, hoping to improve upon a lukewarm debut.

Given the Horizon franchise’s richly detailed world, compelling protagonist, and critical acclaim, expectations for the film will be high. Whether the movie can meet those expectations—especially at a time when audiences are increasingly demanding authenticity and fidelity from adaptations—remains to be seen.

Do you think Horizon Zero Dawn is better suited for a film or TV series? Who would you cast as Aloy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.