A24 is going all in on Elden Ring. According to a new Wall Street Journal report, the studio’s live-action adaptation of FromSoftware’s hit RPG has a budget of nearly $200 million. That makes it the most expensive film A24 has ever made, by a long way.
The figure reportedly comes from unnamed insiders and doesn’t include marketing. Earlier reports had put the budget at closer to $100 million, so it looks like the project has grown considerably.
Smashing A24’s previous record
A24 is known for smaller, director-driven films, so $200 million is a big jump. Its previous record was Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet, which cost around $70 million. Before that, Alex Garland’s Civil War held the title at around $50 million.
Garland is back with A24 for Elden Ring, writing and directing the film. Heartstopper star Kit Connor leads the cast, and George R.R. Martin, who helped create the game’s world and lore, is on board as a producer.
Filming wrapped earlier this summer after a shoot of around 100 days, and the movie is set to hit cinemas on March 3, 2028.
A huge bet on a huge game
It’s easy to see why A24 is willing to spend so much. Elden Ring was a major hit when it launched in 2022, and analysts estimate it has sold over 36 million copies and brought in more than $2 billion in revenue. The game’s vast world, brutal bosses and mysterious lore make it a natural fit for a big-budget fantasy epic.
It’s still a risk, though. Video game adaptations have a mixed track record, and a $200 million budget plus marketing costs means the film will need to do serious business at the box office to make a profit. Fans will also be watching to see whether a story built on cryptic item descriptions and environmental storytelling can work as a two-hour movie.
With Garland in charge and Martin involved, there’s reason to be optimistic. But in the end, Elden Ring still has to be a good film.