Sam Raimi to Adapt Roblox Game 99 Nights in the Forest into Live‑Action Horror
20th Century Studios has secured the rights to Roblox’s 99 Nights in the Forest and enlisted Sam Raimi to produce the film, with Josh Cooley writing the script. The game, released in 2025, pits players against night‑time monsters while they search for missing children in a haunted forest. Details o…
By Felo News Desk · Published
In a move that blends the worlds of gaming and cinema, 20th Century Studios has acquired the film rights to the Roblox survival horror game 99 Nights in the Forest. The studio has tapped legendary director Sam Raimi—known for the Evil Dead trilogy and the Spider‑Man films—to produce the adaptation, while Josh Cooley, the creative mind behind Toy Story 4 and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, will write the screenplay.
From Pixels to the Big Screen
Roblox’s 99 Nights in the Forest launched in 2025 and quickly became a staple of the platform’s horror genre. Players must endure 99 consecutive nights in a cursed woodland, building camps, gathering supplies, and fending off increasingly dangerous creatures. The game’s most iconic antagonist is a predatory deer that stalks players through the darkness, turning a familiar forest animal into a menacing threat.
The decision to bring the game to Hollywood comes at a time when studios are looking to adapt popular digital experiences into feature films. 20th Century Studios has a history of turning niche properties into mainstream successes, and the partnership with Raimi signals a commitment to delivering a film that respects the source material while appealing to a broader audience.
Why Sam Raimi and Josh Cooley?
Sam Raimi’s reputation for crafting visceral horror makes him an obvious choice to helm a project that relies on tension and atmosphere. His work on the original Evil Dead series, as well as his recent contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, demonstrate his ability to blend supernatural elements with grounded storytelling.
Josh Cooley, meanwhile, brings a track record of strong character development and narrative structure. Having co‑written Pixar’s Inside Out—an Oscar‑nominated film—and directed Toy Story 4, Cooley has proven he can translate complex emotional arcs into accessible stories. His recent foray into live‑action with Transformers: Rise of the Beasts shows he is comfortable working across genres and scales.
What to Expect from the Adaptation
While the script is still in development, several questions loom over the project:
- Plot Focus: Will the film center on the search for the missing children, or will it follow a group of campers as they attempt to survive the 99 nights?
- Creature Design: How will the game’s night‑time monsters, especially the infamous deer, be rendered in a live‑action context?
- Tone: Raimi’s horror sensibilities suggest a film that balances gore with psychological dread, but the extent of that balance remains to be seen.
- Cast and Release: No actors have been announced, and a release window is yet to be set. Fans will need to wait for further announcements from 20th Century Studios.
The adaptation will need to translate the game’s survival mechanics—such as resource management and base building—into a narrative that keeps audiences engaged over 90 minutes. This could involve focusing on the emotional stakes of the characters and the escalating threats they face each night.
Industry Context and Fan Reaction
The move reflects a broader trend of studios mining the gaming industry for fresh IP. Successful adaptations like The Witcher and Assassin’s Creed have shown that with the right creative team, video game stories can resonate with both gamers and general moviegoers.
Fans of 99 Nights in the Forest have expressed excitement about seeing their favorite game brought to life, but some are wary that the film might oversimplify the game’s intricate survival elements. The involvement of Raimi and Cooley offers reassurance that the adaptation will aim for depth and authenticity.
As the project develops, 20th Century Studios will likely release concept art, casting announcements, and a release date. Until then, the film remains an intriguing prospect for horror enthusiasts and Roblox players alike.
Next Steps for the Project
With the rights secured and the creative team in place, the next phases will involve script finalization, casting, and pre‑production design. Once the screenplay is approved, the studio will move into the pre‑production phase, where the visual style and creature designs will be refined. Following that, principal photography will begin, likely in a forested location that can accommodate the film’s atmospheric needs.
Once filming wraps, the post‑production process—comprising editing, visual effects, and score composition—will bring the horror to its full cinematic potential. The final product will then be scheduled for a theatrical release, with potential for streaming distribution in the future.
Why This Matters
The adaptation of 99 Nights in the Forest illustrates how interactive digital experiences can evolve into mainstream media, expanding the storytelling possibilities of both industries.
It also highlights the importance of choosing the right creative talent to honor the original material while making it accessible to a wider audience.
Key facts
- 20th Century Studios secured rights to 99 Nights in the Forest
- Sam Raimi to produce, Josh Cooley to write
- Film will adapt game’s survival horror mechanics
- No cast or release date announced yet
- Project reflects trend of game adaptations
Why it matters
Bringing a popular Roblox game to the big screen demonstrates the expanding influence of digital gaming on mainstream media, offering new storytelling avenues and cross‑industry collaboration.
Frequently asked questions
When will the film be released?
No release date has been announced; updates will come from 20th Century Studios.
Will the film stay true to the game’s plot?
Details are scarce, but the adaptation aims to capture the game’s core themes of survival and horror.
Who are the key creative figures behind the film?
Sam Raimi (producer) and Josh Cooley (screenwriter).
Is the film targeted at gamers only?
The film is designed to appeal to both gamers and general horror fans.
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Sam Raimi & Josh Cooley Adapt Roblox Survival Hit ‘99 Nights in the Forest’ into Live-Action Horror Movie for 20th Century Studios”
