Hasbro is officially bringing Magic: The Gathering to the big screen, teaming up with Legendary Entertainment to create a live-action film and television “universe” based on the iconic trading card game. The first project in this ambitious expansion will be a feature-length film, with additional series and other content expected to follow. While no release date has been announced, this move marks Hasbro’s latest attempt to expand its lucrative franchises beyond tabletop gaming and into mainstream entertainment.
With an estimated 50 million players worldwide, Magic: The Gathering has grown into one of Hasbro’s most valuable properties. In 2022, it became the company’s first brand to surpass $1 billion in annual revenue, a remarkable feat in an era where Hasbro has struggled to maintain overall financial growth. This new live-action project represents yet another way for Hasbro to capitalize on Magic’s devoted fanbase, leveraging its deep lore, iconic characters, and rich fantasy setting to attract both longtime players and new audiences.
Hasbro has a long history of adapting its brands into other entertainment formats, with varying degrees of success. The company’s Transformers film series has been a blockbuster hit, while its Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves movie failed to turn a profit despite positive reviews. Similarly, a planned Dungeons & Dragons TV series remains in limbo after being dropped by Paramount Plus. However, Hasbro remains committed to growing its entertainment portfolio, especially in the wake of Baldur’s Gate 3’s massive success, which reignited mainstream interest in D&D.
“This is an exciting and complementary partnership, uniting one of the world’s most iconic brands with a powerful and proven steward,” said Hasbro Entertainment’s Head of Film, Zev Foreman. “Magic: The Gathering has inspired decades of epic world-building and creative storytelling. It is a perfect match for Legendary’s diversified approach to marquee IP, and we are excited to work together to build a whole new Magic: The Gathering universe.”
Legendary Entertainment brings substantial experience in adapting gaming franchises for film, having previously produced Warcraft and Pokémon Detective Pikachu. While Warcraft struggled domestically, it found massive success in China, earning over $400 million worldwide. Detective Pikachu, on the other hand, was a well-received box office hit. This partnership suggests Hasbro is aiming for a similar approach—bringing Magic: The Gathering to mainstream audiences while ensuring it resonates with its existing fanbase.
This won’t be Magic’s first foray into television, as an animated Netflix series based on the franchise is already in development. The show was originally announced with the Avengers: Endgame directors, Joe and Anthony Russo, attached to the project, though they have since departed. The upcoming Magic universe appears to be separate from this Netflix project, meaning Hasbro is investing heavily in multiple fronts to bring the card game into broader entertainment media.
With Legendary’s backing, Magic: The Gathering has the potential to become a major new fantasy franchise in Hollywood, rivaling other tabletop adaptations like Dungeons & Dragons. However, given the mixed history of game-to-film adaptations, Hasbro and Legendary will need to ensure the project captures the rich storytelling and deep strategy that have made Magic a beloved franchise for decades.
