Xbox Says Call of Duty Is Bigger Than the MCU: What it Means in 2026

Xbox is making a bigger push into movies and TV, and its latest comments are getting attention for one big reason: the company says Call of Duty is larger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The message is clear, Xbox believes its games are now strong enough to drive major entertainment projects beyond gaming.

What Xbox Said About Call of Duty

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said that Xbox does not want to become a giant linear TV company, but it does see games as culture and entertainment. In the same interview, she pointed to Fallout, Minecraft, and Call of Duty as proof that Xbox-owned brands can succeed outside games, and she said there is “more appetite to work with us on titles than ever before.”

Sharma’s most talked-about line was that Call of Duty is bigger than the MCU. That claim is bold, but it fits Xbox’s wider message: Microsoft believes its biggest gaming IPs have real value in film and television.

Why This Matters

This is important because Xbox has had mixed results with adaptations. Fallout became a major hit on Amazon, and the Minecraft movie was also a strong success, while earlier projects like the live-action Halo series were not as well-received. That history helps explain why Xbox is now more confident about expanding its biggest brands into new formats.

The company’s attitude has clearly changed from “try a few adaptations” to “build a larger entertainment business around our franchises.” That is why fans are now seeing more Xbox-related movie and TV news than before.

Is Call of Duty Really Bigger Than the MCU?

From a money point of view, the claim is not as wild as it sounds. Windows Central reports that the MCU has generated about $32 billion in lifetime revenue, while Call of Duty has reportedly collected $35 billion across around 500 million lifetime sales. Statista also says Call of Duty had reached about 500 million lifetime unit sales and around $30 billion in gross revenue by late 2024.

That said, “bigger” can mean different things. The MCU may still be stronger in cultural impact for many people, but Call of Duty may now be ahead in total revenue.

Xbox’s Bigger Media Plans

Xbox is not stopping at just one or two projects. The Windows Central report says a Call of Duty movie from Paramount is already set for June 30, 2028, and other projects are also moving forward, including a live-action Sea of Thieves movie, a Gears of War Netflix series, a Minecraft project with Netflix, a Wolfenstein show at Amazon, and a Fallout Shelter reality competition series.

That shows a clear strategy: Xbox wants its top game brands to live across games, streaming, and film. If these projects keep performing well, more studios will likely want to partner with Microsoft in the future.

What are Fans Think about 

For gamers, this likely means more Xbox franchises getting adapted into movies and shows. It could also mean more focus on story-rich worlds and long-term brand building, not just game sales.

For the wider industry, it shows that video game IP is now treated like premium entertainment property. In simple terms, Xbox is trying to turn its most famous games into full media brands.

FAQ

Q1. Why is Xbox saying Call of Duty is bigger than the MCU?

Ans: Xbox CEO Asha Sharma made that comment while talking about how strong Xbox’s gaming IPs are as entertainment brands, especially for film and TV.

Q2. Is there a Call of Duty movie coming?

Ans: Yes. A live-action Call of Duty movie from Paramount has been reported with a release date of June 30, 2028.

Q3. What other Xbox adaptations are in development?

Ans: Windows Central reports projects tied to Sea of Thieves, Gears of War, Minecraft, Wolfenstein, and Fallout Shelter.

Q4. Did Fallout help Xbox’s media plans?

Ans: Yes. Fallout was described as one of Xbox’s biggest success stories outside games, and it helped support the idea that Xbox IP can work well in TV