Space Invaders: Film Adaptation of the Video Game Classic in the Works
A screenplay is to be written for New Line
The boom in video game adaptations continues: as the industry portal Deadline has learned, the classic "Space Invaders" is to be made into a film. Studio New Line has now commissioned two screenwriters for the project.
These are Ben Zazove and Evan Turner. The two recently wrote the script for the Netflix action comedy "The Out-Laws" with Pierce Brosnan and Nina Dobrev. The "Space Invaders" film is being produced by Akiva Goldsman, among others, who has written and produced numerous successful Hollywood projects in his long career.
"Space Invaders" was released in 1978 by Japanese developer Taito. It is considered one of the most influential video game classics of all time. Together with games such as "Pac-Man", "Space Invaders" shaped the early days of video game history. As one of the first successful arcade games, it popularized the shoot-'em-up genre and had a lasting impact on gaming culture. Players defend themselves with a cannon against advancing alien formations – a simple but effective game principle that achieved cult status worldwide.
Information on the plot and further details on the movie adaptation are still unknown. After all, the project is still at an early stage of development. One thing is clear: a "Space Invaders" film would continue the hype surrounding film adaptations of video games in Hollywood. Numerous projects are currently in development – from "God of War" to "Elden Ring". For example, a new "Super Mario" movie is set to be released in 2026. Find out everything you need to know in our movie preview!
The "Space Invaders" phenomenon
When "Space Invaders" saw the light of day in 1978, the world of video games was still young. Within a very short space of time, the inconspicuous machine with its simple graphics and monotonous sound effects became a global phenomenon – a cultural asset that would change the course of the games industry. What made "Space Invaders" so special, and why is it now considered one of the most important titles in gaming history?
The birth of a classic
Developed by Japanese game developer Tomohiro Nishikado and published by Taito, "Space Invaders" was one of the very first shoot-'em-up games. The idea behind the game is simple: the player controls a small cannon vehicle and has to shoot down an ever-approaching armada of alien invaders. With each enemy hit, the speed of the remaining enemies increases – a principle that not only creates excitement but also dynamic gameplay.
What began as an arcade machine in Japanese arcades rapidly developed into a worldwide hype. In Japan, "Space Invaders" led to a veritable run on arcades. The title also became a success in the USA.
Innovations and influence
"Space Invaders was a pioneer in many respects, including gameplay design. The game established the principle of high scores, which later became the standard in arcade games. Equally important is the dynamic: the increasing speed of the opponents was an early example of adaptive difficulty. The game also had an influence on pop culture: the aliens became icons and inspired imitators, parodies and pop art works. Furthermore, "Space Invaders" can be seen as the birth of the modern shoot-'em-up genre.
The cultural footprint
In an era when science fiction was booming thanks to films such as "Star Wars", the game struck a chord with an entire generation. The clear rules, simple objective and ever-increasing challenge made it appealing to both casual gamers and high-score hunters. The aesthetic became synonymous with early video games and is still present in pop culture today.
Legacy
Even over 45 years after its release, "Space Invaders" remains an integral part of gaming history. It has been exhibited in museums, printed on T-shirts, remastered, quoted and immortalized in retro collections. The title symbolizes the beginning of an era – a time when you could captivate millions of people with a few pixels and a simple goal.
"Space Invaders" was therefore a game changer. It not only co-founded a genre, but also showed the economic and cultural potential of video games. Without "Space Invaders", the history of gaming would be a different one. We are excited to see what a "Space Invaders" movie will look like – and will keep you up to date with developments on the project! Until then, our preview of video game adaptations from 2025 to 2027 will give you an overview of what has already been released this year and what other adaptations are in the pipeline.
