Microsoft has reportedly pitched Hollywood on one Xbox movie deal covering screen rights to more than a dozen of its franchises — Halo, World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls and Diablo among them — for an asking price above $300 million.
Puck’s Matthew Belloni reports that Microsoft has been pitching studios and streaming services on the package, as first covered by Geeks + Gamers. Netflix, Paramount and Universal are reportedly examining the offer. None has confirmed interest, and all three declined to comment.
One Xbox movie deal for the whole vault
The proposal is not a collection of separate pitches. Microsoft reportedly wants a single long-term agreement with one partner covering the entire package, rather than the game-by-game licensing that has carried its properties to Hollywood so far. One studio writes one very large cheque.
The buyer would not own the games. Microsoft would grant long-term adaptation rights while keeping the underlying intellectual property. Terms on format, exclusivity, creative approval, territories and sequels have not been reported.
Netflix, Paramount and Universal are taking a look
Describing the three companies as bidders would go beyond the evidence. Belloni’s reporting says they are “taking a look” — a step short of any submitted offer.
The asking price is reportedly above $300 million, and at least one prospective buyer has already balked. The rights would only be the start: a production based on Elder Scrolls or Warcraft would carry a blockbuster-level budget before marketing is counted.
Existing deals complicate the pitch
Several franchises are already tied up. Amazon MGM runs the successful Fallout series, Warner Bros and Legendary handled A Minecraft Movie, and Netflix has a Minecraft animated series in development. Paramount produced two seasons of Halo before cancelling it in 2024; the rights have since reverted to Xbox, making the property available again.
Universal, one of the companies reported to be looking, distributed the 2016 Warcraft film with Legendary and Blizzard. The package is better read as a collection of available adaptation rights than unrestricted access to everything Microsoft owns.
Microsoft’s $7.5 billion ZeniMax purchase and $68.7 billion Activision Blizzard deal in 2023 built the catalogue in the first place. Halo: Campaign Evolved is one of its recent successes, despite a turbulent start at Halo Studios.
No deal has been announced. There is no confirmed buyer, production schedule or full list of included franchises — only four names so far: Halo, World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls and Diablo.
Is the Xbox movie deal confirmed?
No. The package is a report from Puck’s Matthew Belloni. Microsoft has not announced it, and Netflix, Paramount and Universal have not confirmed interest. There is no confirmed buyer or production schedule.
Which Xbox franchises are in the reported package?
Only four have been publicly identified: Halo, World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls and Diablo. The report says the package covers more than a dozen properties in total.
Would Microsoft sell the franchises?
No. Under the reported plan, one partner would get long-term adaptation rights for movies and TV while Microsoft keeps ownership of the underlying intellectual property.
