Netflix’s push into game inspired TV may be adding one of PlayStation’s most recognizable mascots. Multiple outlets report that an animated Crash Bandicoot series is quietly in development, with WildBrain attached. That is the studio behind Sonic Prime on Netflix. Netflix and Activision have not announced the project, and creative leads and casting are still under wraps, but the momentum around game adaptations on the service makes this a credible next move for the streamer.
Crash is a comfort pick for cross generation appeal. The character debuted on the original PlayStation in 1996 and quickly became a platforming staple. Naughty Dog built the first trilogy and Crash Team Racing, then the franchise shifted among publishers and developers. A modern wave of interest returned with the N. Sane Trilogy in 2017 and continued with Crash Bandicoot 4. For Netflix, Crash brings nostalgic recognition for older fans and high energy antics that play well with younger viewers.
There is light precedent for seeing Crash on Netflix. The character and his sister Coco popped up in Skylanders Academy, giving fans a taste of how the marsupial reads in episodic animation. What is new here is the prospect of a full series with Crash at the center. That would be a first for the brand on a major global platform.
WildBrain’s involvement is a meaningful signal. The company has delivered several Netflix hits for kids and family, including Sonic Prime, Carmen Sandiego, Johnny Test, and Go Dog Go, along with The Snoopy Show for Apple TV Plus. Sonic Prime in particular shows WildBrain’s comfort translating kinetic game action into a serialized show that still feels like the games. If Crash moves forward, expect a similar mix of colorful worlds, slapstick momentum, and clear character goals that work in 22 to 24 minute chunks.
Why this matters for Netflix right now. The service has built a deep bench of game related animation across audiences. On the adult and teen side there is Arcane, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, Castlevania, and Tomb Raider. For younger viewers there is Sonic Prime and a coming Minecraft series, also from WildBrain. Add Crash and you get a foundation of brand name franchises that can fuel seasonal programming calendars, merchandising, and live events. It also dovetails with Netflix’s growing interest in interactive and licensed games, even if the Crash rights flow through Activision and Microsoft.
What we still do not know. Reporting does not include episode count, format, showrunners, or timeline. There is no word on whether the show leans into pure slapstick, a mission driven setup with Cortex as the season villain, or a multiverse angle similar to Sonic Prime. We also do not know if the series will aim squarely at kids or try to meet families in the middle with winks for long time fans. Until there is an official announcement, treat the project as in development rather than greenlit for release.
A quick look back at earlier attempts. Crash has flirted with television more than once. In 2021, test footage from a separate animated effort surfaced online, tied in reporting to Activision and Amazon, and that project did not move forward. The current chatter centers on a different setup at Netflix with WildBrain, which better aligns with Netflix’s present day animation pipeline.
If the series lands, here is what would make it sing. Keep Crash’s physical comedy and expressive pantomime front and center. Treat Cortex as a big personality who can carry season long plans without flattening into a one note gag. Let Coco drive some plots with gadget solutions that create new problems. Use Wumpa Islands as a base and rotate in classic locales so each run of episodes features at least one fan favorite setting. Most of all, preserve the games’ forward momentum. Crash stories work best when the characters are constantly chasing, fleeing, or improvising through bizarre set pieces.
Bottom line. Netflix has the audience, WildBrain has recent wins with game brands, and Crash has name power. If everything aligns, the marsupial finally gets the full animated spotlight many fans have wanted for decades.
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