Netflix and Sega Announce Blockbuster Slate: 'Crazy Taxi' Movie, New 'Sonic' TV, & More Films!

Netflix has officially initiated a multi-title deal with Sega, aiming to bring several of the hit gaming franchises to the screen.

This new partnership kicks off with a feature-film adaptation of “Crazy Taxi,” Sega’s iconic long-running racing game. The screenplay for the “Crazy Taxi” movie will be crafted by Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, known for their work on the 2025 reboot of “The Naked Gun.”

The people producing the film are Neal H. Moritz and Toby Ascher from Original Film, alongside Sega’s Toru Nakahara, the same team responsible for the successful Sonic franchises.

In addition to “Crazy Taxi,” Netflix and Sega have announced two other significant adaptations currently in development: a new animated “Sonic the Hedgehog” series specifically designed for kids and a movie based on the action-adventure game “Stranger Than Heaven.”

The VP of nonfiction and transmedia at Netflix, Brandon Riegg, expressed the company’s enthusiasm, stating that great games already possess beloved characters, familiar worlds, and dedicated fandoms crucial for successful adaptations.

Riegg highlighted the opportunity to work across three distinct eras of Sega’s catalog with “Crazy Taxi,” “Sonic,” and “Stranger Than Heaven,” celebrating fan favorites while introducing them to new audiences.

The head producer at Sega, Toru Nakahara,shared his excitement, promising something cute yet cool for “Sonic,” hilariously crazy for “Crazy Taxi,” and a badass action drama for “Stranger Than Heaven,” emphasizing the amazing creative ideas already lined up.

The “Crazy Taxi” game, which debuted in arcades in 1999, immerses players as a fearless cabbie racing against the clock through chaotic city streets, performing stunts, dodging traffic, and chasing tips with its signature punk-rock energy.

Fans can look forward to the latest title in the franchise, “Crazy Taxi: World Tour,” slated for release in 2027.

Moritz and Ascher from Original Film conveyed their excitement to continue their long-standing relationship with Sega and bring “Crazy Taxi” to Netflix, remarking that the film is dedicated to anyone who spent hours playing the game on their Dreamcast, music cranked, smashing through obstacles for fares.

The new animated “Sonic” series is being developed with Carlos Stevens and Toru Nakahara. This show aims to present Sonic and his friends as heroes for an upper pre-school audience, promising a high-voltage, comedic, yet emotionally grounded series tailored for children who desire a sense of edge, attitude, and wish fulfillment from their crew.

This upcoming series complements Netflix’s existing “Sonic Prime” 3D animated series, which currently has three seasons available for streaming.

“Stranger Than Heaven” originates from RGG Studio, the acclaimed developer behind the bestselling “Like a Dragon: Yakuza” series, which has sold over 30 million copies.

The game is set to be release in January 2027, which is set in early 20th century Japan and follows the journey of a foreigner who rises from being a destitute stranger to a feared yakuza and eventually an entertainment tycoon. Toru Nakahara is also set to produce this film adaptation.

The President and COO of Sega, Shuji Utsumi, praised Netflix’s craftsmanship in storytelling across various formats and expressed pride in seeing the same dedication applied to “Sonic,” “Crazy Taxi,” and “Stranger Than Heaven.”

Utsumi affirmed that the fandoms of these games deserve storytelling that honors their unique qualities, a commitment he believes Netflix shares, marking this as just the beginning of what these titles can achieve.

These new Sega adaptations will join Netflix’s expanding catalog of video game adaptations, which includes a live-action “Assassin’s Creed” series, a live-action “Gears of War” film, animated series based on “Minecraft,” “Magic: The Gathering,” and “Clash of Clans,” the “Overcooked” competition series, second seasons of “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” and “Splinter Cell: Deathwatch,” and the third and final season of “Devil May Cry.”