Minecraft – Picture: Mojang / Microsoft
Mojang Studios’ flagship video game franchise, Minecraft, is getting the Netflix treatment in the form of a new animated series from the studio behind Sonic Prime, Ninjago: Dragons Rising, and Carmen Sandiego.
Not much was revealed about the project itself, although it’s been said the new series will feature an entirely original story with brand-new characters that’ll bring the world of Minecraft into a new light.
The studio WildBrain (primarily based in Canada but has offices in New York, London, and China) is working on the project with Netflix, with the two companies having collaborated consistently over the decade with the likes of Teletubbies, Inspector Gadget, Go, Dog, Go!, and Chip and Potato, among some of their output for the streamer.
Minecraft is a big get for Netflix as it continues to tap big video game IP for upcoming movies and series. This is a big industry-wide trend, as adaptations have often proved to come with built-in audiences. Netflix’s upcoming slate of video game adaptations includes Tomb Raider, Bioshock, Arcane, Devil May Cry, Assassin’s Creed, and Splinter Cell.
A short clip to announce the new series has been released, celebrating the new project as Minecraft turns 15:
Long-term Netflix subscribers will know this isn’t Netflix’s first foray into the world of Minecraft. The Telltale interactive game Minecraft: Story Mode was added to Netflix with interactive features in late 2018.
While it got rave reviews, the port ultimately didn’t come to Netflix in full, with only some of the first season being playable. Given what happened to Telltale (it went under) at the time, there were never any future updates or releases.
The interactive special was removed from Netflix in December 2022 after being on the streamer for 49 months. Those kinds of interactive experiences are no longer being produced by Netflix.
Minecraft: Story Mode with the Netflix interactive banner – Picture: Netflix
Elsewhere, Minecraft is also getting a big-screen adaptation via Warner Bros., set to release in 2025. The cast for that movie currently includes Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Jermaine Clement, Kate McKinnon, and Danielle Brooks.
Are you looking forward to Minecraft getting a new series adaptation? Let us know in the comments down below.
