Report: Death Stranding will also have an animated film too

When Hideo Kojima isn’t redefining what a video game can be, he’s busy stretching the boundaries of narrative across film and television. The latest chapter in his cross-media saga is an adult-targeted animated feature set in the world of Death Stranding. Slated as an original story rather than a retelling of Sam Porter Bridges’ journey, this project promises fresh perspectives on the fractured, soul-stirring universe that Kojima first unveiled in 2019.

Unlike the planned live-action adaptation (in collaboration with A24), this animation will forge its own path. Aaron Guzikowski—the mind behind HBO’s Raised by Wolves and Denis Villeneuve’s Prisoners—is penning the screenplay. Guzikowski’s track record for atmospheric, emotionally resonant storytelling makes him an inspired choice to explore the game’s themes of connection, isolation and existential dread in a purely cinematic medium.

Powered by Line Mileage

The film is a co-production between Kojima Productions and LA’s Line Mileage, an outfit with roots in game-to-animation work (they’ve lent their skills to projects like Castlevania). Line Mileage co-founder Daniel Dominguez raved about Death Stranding’s “emotional rush” and “intellectual pleasure,” likening it to Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell. That tonal ambition hints at a mature, contemplative piece—likely heavy on mood and atmosphere.

Reports indicate the animation will chase the same gritty, R-rated sensibility as titles like Predator: Killer of Killers or the John Wick prequel. Expect stylized violence and psychological tension to amplify the world’s inherent eeriness: a post-apocalyptic Earth where invisible threats bind souls together even as they tear society apart.

Original Story, Infinite Possibilities

By opting for a new storyline, Kojima and Guzikowski can:

Introduce characters untouched by the games’ narrative constraints
Explore uncharted regions of the Death Stranding map (both physical and metaphysical)
Dive deeper into the phenomenon of “stranding” as metaphor—what it means to be emotionally cut off, yet yearning for connection

Given Kojima’s fascination with life, death and the space between, we might see side tales about bridge-builders striving to reconnect humanity—or perhaps a darker vignette showing the cost of those efforts.

Parallel to the animated feature, A24 is moving forward with a live-action Death Stranding film. While Line Mileage shapes the animation, A24—renowned for Everything Everywhere All at Once and Hereditary—partners with Michael Sarnoski (director of A Quiet Place: Day One) to bring Sam’s world into physical form. Two simultaneous adaptations will let fans experience Kojima’s vision through distinct lenses: one grounded in cinematic realism, the other liberated by stylized animation.

Riding the Wave into Death Stranding 2

With Death Stranding 2: On The Beach arriving on June 26 exclusively for PS5, the timing is electric. The game reignites interest in the universe, priming audiences for both films. Kojima’s refusal to silo his creations means these projects will likely inform each other—imagery or themes teased in one medium may echo in another, creating a transmedia tapestry for hardcore fans to unravel.

What This Means for Kojima’s Legacy

Kojima has long aspired to be more than “just” a game director. His ventures into TV (The Man Who Sold the World), manga and now dual film adaptations form a multi-layered narrative ecosystem. By weaving threads across interactive and passive media, he’s building a world where the audience isn’t just playing—they’re witnessing, interpreting and connecting across formats.

Exact release dates for the animated film remain unannounced. But with Guzikowski’s creative firepower and Line Mileage’s animation chops, we can anticipate a late-2026 or 2027 premiere. Meanwhile, keep an eye on Kojima’s interviews—he’s known to drop cryptic clues in passing, and every stray comment could hint at character cameos, thematic focus or even musical collaborators.

For Death Stranding devotees, this is more than a movie news cycle; it’s an invitation to rediscover the chiral network that binds us all. Whether you’re drawn to ghostly silhouettes in the mist or crackling radio chatter between delivery runs, the animated film promises new jolts of wonder—and perhaps a few tears—along the way.