The film adaptation of cult games hit Exit 8 is officially set to release in Australia and New Zealand cinemas on 23 April, with an exclusive IMAX preview run kicking off on 16 April.
Exit 8 set for release – quick links
Trapped in the subway
The Exit 8 – the original game by Kotake Create – rose to prominence on launch in 2023, for its strange and surreal setting. You play as an observer who finds themselves trapped in an underground subway, charting endless tunnels, searching for the mysterious Exit 8. As you travel, you’ll come across strange ‘anomalies’ that seem to suggest something more sinister around you.
The film adaptation, directed by Genki Kawamura (Suzume, Belle, Your Name) corals this concept into a psychological horror narrative starring a young man, played by Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters from Iwo Jima, Assassination Classroom), who must navigate an underground space while following strict instructions:
‘Do not overlook anything out of the ordinary. If you discover an anomaly, turn back immediately. If you don’t, carry on. Then leave from Exit 8. Miss even the smallest detail, and you’re sent back to the beginning.’
The focus of the film adaptation is on translating the unique, minimalist design of the original adventure into an immersive, surreal story that transforms a familiar urban space into something deeply uncanny.
ScreenHub: Video game movie adaptations: everything to look forward to in 2026
Exit 8 nabs IMAX run, Kawamura to tour Australia
Distributor Umbrella Entertainment has confirmed Exit 8 has secured IMAX distribution in Australia and New Zealand, with previews taking place from 16 April, and a full IMAX and cinema launch kicking off from 23 April.
Tickets will soon be available on the IMAX and select HOYTS websites, ahead of its arrival.
Those keen to learn more about Genki Kawamura’s latest work, and his creative processes, will also have the chance to meet the writer, director and producer during the 2026 Melbourne Writers Festival, where he’ll appear for a special Q&A session and screening of Exit 8 on, appropriately, 8 May.
He will also appear in conversation with Omar Musa at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre on 9 May to discuss his career across written and visual media, and will also make an appearance at Melbourne’s The Capitol on the same day, to discuss the popularity of Japanese stories with English-speaking audiences.
Also on ScreenHub: Screen Australia to support 26 new game projects with $1.4 million
Screen Australia has announced it will support 26 video game projects, and several emerging game developers, with $1.4 million in grants and travel allowance delivered across its Games Production and Emerging Gamemakers funds. Each game supported is centred on Australian stories and ideas, with the intention of sharing these with a wider global audience.
As detailed by Screen Australia’s Head of Games, Joey Egger, the latest cohort of supported developers include people from a range of disciplines, from game design to architecture, animation and the performing arts.
‘Supporting emerging gamemakers invests in the future of our talented industry,’ Egger said. ‘Having Australian funding support for games is essential for building a resilient and innovative games sector for the next five, 10, 20 years.’
Read more …
