Sonic, STRANGER THAN HEAVEN Adaptations also in Development
September 15, 2026 – SEGA and Netflix today announced a new collaboration to bring a film adaptation of Crazy Taxi to Netflix, with the companies also developing a slate of adaptations from SEGA’s catalog including Sonic and STRANGER THAN HEAVEN. The slate spans genres, styles and formats — live-action comedy, kids’ animation and live-action crime — reflecting the range of SEGA’s library and drawing on Netflix’s experience bringing beloved game worlds to new audiences.
The first project out of the deal, the feature adaptation of Crazy Taxi, will be written by Dan Gregor & Doug Mand, the beloved writing duo behind the 2025 reboot of The Naked Gun. Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, and Toru Nakahara, the visionary producers behind the Sonic franchises, are on board to produce.
Quote from SEGA: “We’ve watched Netflix take on stories across every kind of format and treat each one with real craft, and seeing that same dedication applied to Sonic, Crazy Taxi, and STRANGER THAN HEAVEN is something we at SEGA are incredibly proud to be a part of,” said Shuji Utsumi, President and COO of SEGA. “The fandoms of these games deserve storytelling that honors what makes each title special, and we know Netflix shares that commitment. This is just the start of what these titles can become.”
Quote from SEGA: “Expect something cute yet cool for Sonic, hilariously crazy for Crazy Taxi, and a badass action drama for STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, because we’ve got some amazing creative ideas lined up and we are just getting started. The whole team is absolutely thrilled!” said Toru Nakahara, Head Producer at SEGA.
Quote from Netflix: “Great games already have what every adaptation is chasing — characters people love, worlds they know by heart, and fandoms that show up,” said Brandon Riegg, VP of Nonfiction and Transmedia at Netflix. “With Crazy Taxi, Sonic, and STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, we get to work across three completely different eras of SEGA’s catalog, celebrating everything fans love, while introducing them to new audiences.”
Quote from Original Film: “We couldn’t be more excited to continue our longstanding relationship with SEGA and bring Crazy Taxi to life with our partners at Netflix,” said Neal H. Moritz and Toby Ascher. “This film is for anyone who’s spent hours behind the wheel of a yellow cab on their Dreamcast, with the music cranked up, smashing through everything in sight just to make the next fare.”
The Titles:
Crazy Taxi: Since its 1999 arcade debut, Crazy Taxi has put players behind the wheel of a fearless cabbie racing the clock through chaotic city streets — flying off ramps, dodging traffic, and chasing tips with punk-rock energy that became the series’ signature. The latest title in the franchise, Crazy Taxi: World Tour, is scheduled for release in 2027. The beloved writing duo behind the 2025 reboot of The Naked Gun, Dan Gregor & Doug Mand, will bring the game’s chaotic, comedic spirit to the adaptation, with Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, and Toru Nakahara, the visionary producers behind the Sonic franchise, are on board to produce.
Writers: Dan Gregor & Doug Mand; Producers: Neal H. Moritz and Toby Ascher for Original Film, and Toru Nakahara
Sonic: The new animated series, currently in development with Carlos Stevens and Toru Nakahara, will present Sonic and his friends as heroes for an upper pre-school audience — a high-voltage, comedic, yet emotionally grounded series built for kids who want to feel a little edge, a little attitude, and a lot of “that’s my crew” wish fulfillment. Three seasons of Netflix’s Sonic Prime are also now available to stream only on Netflix.
STRANGER THAN HEAVEN: From RGG Studio — developer of the Like a Dragon / Yakuza series — STRANGER THAN HEAVEN takes place in early 20th-century Japan, following a foreigner who claws his way from destitute stranger to feared yakuza to entertainment tycoon. Against the backdrop of a changing nation, how will he build an empire while balancing honor and betrayal? Details are under wraps, but a live-action film will bring a new lens to this epic world and the Yakuza franchise.
Producer: Toru Nakahara
These SEGA games will join Netflix’s growing slate of video game adaptations including: a live-action Assassin’s Creed series; live-action Gears of War film; animated series adaptations based on Minecraft, Magic: The Gathering and Clash of Clans; Overcooked competition series; second seasons of returning favorites Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Splinter Cell: Deathwatch; and the third and final season of Devil May Cry.
SEGA, the SEGA logo, CRAZY TAXI, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, LIKE A DRAGON and YAKUZA are registered trademarks or trademarks of SEGA CORPORATION. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are property of their respective owners.