Minecraft In-App Purchases Soar 44% Following Movie Release, Fallout Sees Similar Transmedia Surge

The Minecraft movie is doing more than just drawing crowds to theaters — it’s boosting in-game revenue too. According to a new transmedia impact report from Sensor Tower, mobile in-app purchases (IAP) for Minecraft rose 44% following the film's release, accompanied by a notable 9% rise in daily active users (DAUs) on mobile and a 41% increase on console.

Between January and mid-May 2025, Minecraft’s mobile and console DAUs remained consistent week-to-week, averaging between 8.5 million and 10.5 million mobile users. However, a significant spike occurred in early April, shortly after the Minecraft movie hit cinemas, pushing mobile DAUs past 10.5 million — the highest during the period.

Additionally, as previously reported in April, Minecraft mobile earned $969,000 in a single day, reaching its best revenue day since December 25, 2021, based on AppMagic data.

Fallout TV Show Triggers Game Engagement Surge

The Fallout franchise also benefitted massively from its TV adaptation, according to Sensor Tower’s report.

• DAUs were 225% higher for Fallout 3 and Fallout 4 in the weeks following the show's premiere last April

• Meanwhile, sales of Fallout 3 and Fallout 4 jumped 125% and 410% respectively, as both games were discounted heavily during the week of the show's premiere.

• Fallout Shelter also saw DAUs spike by 77% on mobile 

• In-app purchases for Fallout Shelter jumped a staggering 150%, reaching $550,000 daily at peak.

While the surge gradually declined and normalized by July 2024, the boost underscored the power of cross-media storytelling in driving renewed interest and revenue in gaming IPs.

More Game-based Adaptations In Work

Video game adaptations are indeed booming, with Hollywood and streaming platforms leaning heavily into the trend. Here’s a rundown of some key upcoming projects:

• Elden Ring: A24 is developing a live-action film based on the hit RPG, directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Civil War). George R.R. Martin, who contributed to the game’s lore, will produce. No release date yet.

• Death Stranding: A24 is also working on a live-action adaptation of Hideo Kojima’s game, directed by Michael Sarnoski (A Quiet Place: Day One).

• Resident Evil: A new film, set for 2026, is being directed by Zach Cregger (Barbarian), aiming for a true horror tone closer to the classic games, unlike the mixed bag of past adaptations.

• Clash of Clans/Clash Royale: Netflix is producing an animated series based on these popular mobile games. No release date, but it’s part of their growing slate of game adaptations.

• Bioshock and Gears of War: Netflix’s long-in-development films got recent updates. Bioshock is still in progress under director Francis Lawrence, while David Leitch (The Fall Guy) is in talks to direct Gears of War. Both are moving forward after years of delays.

• Riders Republic: Ubisoft’s extreme sports game is getting a film adaptation from directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (Bad Boys: Ride or Die), with a script by Noé Debré.

• Iron Lung: Based on the 2022 horror game, this adaptation is written, directed, produced, and starred in by Markiplier. It’s complete but lacks a release date, with a bloody teaser trailer already out.

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: A live-action adaptation was announced before the game’s release, capitalizing on its visually stunning turn-based RPG story about a goddess causing annual calamities.

With over 40 projects in development, from Just Cause to Watch Dogs, the trend shows no signs of slowing.

Microsoft’s Phil Spencer noted that while games don’t need adaptations to succeed, more Microsoft properties are being adapted, though he didn’t spill details. Expect more announcements as studios chase the next billion-dollar hit after Minecraft. 

Meanwhile, Warner Bros. confirmed to Deadline that Minecraft is getting a sequel.