Though it’s often forgotten, Warhammer 40,000 did have one official movie that released in 2010, though its results do seem to explain why we haven’t had another film release like it in the years since. Warhammer 40k is one of the biggest and most expansive sci-fi universes to date, with the intricate lore around humanity’s efforts to fight against effectively the entire galaxy being one that has won over the hearts and minds of many – as well as their wallets, since the financial success of the franchise and its tabletop game is considerable.

Over the years, many have lamented the lack of movies delving into this world – as while Warhammer does release some on-screen stories of its own on its own platforms, 40k has been without a feature-length film released theatrically or in physical format almost entirely. That said, the franchise has had one notable movie that did release for audiences in DVD format, breaking this convention.

The film’s memory being lost to time does make sense though, as it does appear that this release played at least part of a role in the lack of movies we’ve had from the franchise ever since, since its reception and overall lack of positive results do seem to have encouraged focus to be elsewhere for quite some time when it came to building out the franchise’s future.

Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie Proved Divisive Upon Release

2010 saw the release of the straight-to-DVD Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie, which – as the name suggests – focuses around a group of Space Marines from the Ultramarine faction, who find themselves drawn into conflict with the forces of chaos following a distress call from another group of Space Marines in the Imperial Fists faction.

From the outside, Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie looks as though it could provide a film that works for new and veteran Warhammer 40k fans.

The story of the Ultramarines fighting against chaos and eventually some corrupted Chaos Space Marines is the kind of fare that can provide an easy introduction for those not versed in the sci-fi series’ expansive mythos. The screenplay was also written by Dan Abnett, who has penned some of the most popular Warhammer 40,000 books of all time, meaning well-versed fans can deal with a story written by someone who knows how to handle the lore.

However, Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie did not end up being received well by either side of its audience, as remains clear to this day via its 40% Rotten Tomatoes score, with criticisms being leveled at the animation quality of the film, and its story being perceived as overly simplistic, avoiding much of the nuance and detail that has made the sci-fi series and its fantasy counterpart so successful over the years.

Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie’s Divisive Reception Makes The Plans For Prime Video’s Warhammer Show Even More Exciting

While Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie was a less well-received release, it ironically does show the interest around releases telling the universe’s story on-screen, as even many criticisms of the animated sci-fi movie praise the overall storytelling quality and the intricate worldbuilding around the wider world of books, board games, and video games that makes up the broader franchise.

As such, the knowledge that there are efforts to make the impending Warhammer 40,000 series is all the more intriguing, since it seems like this release can learn from the criticisms leveled at the movie, and since Prime Video’s resources may allow the franchise to adapt the mindboggling scale of Warhammer 40,000 in a way that appeals more to viewers universally this next time around.

Similarly, given Warhammer has had many more on-screen stories told for its fantasy and sci-fi series on Warhammer+ since the release of Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie, hopefully there has been enough time to further develop what an on-screen Warhammer 40,000 release should look like that the upcoming series can truly bring the 40k mythos to life.

Created by

Rick Priestley

Character(s)

The Emperor of Mankind, Horus Lupercal, Roboute Guilliman, Abaddon the Despoiler, Eldrad Ulthran, Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka, Farsight, Trazyn the Infinite

Video Game(s)

Space Hulk, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2, Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team, Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine, Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon, Warhammer 40,000: Storm of Vengeance, Space Hulk: Ascension, Warhammer 40,000: Deathwatch, Space Hulk: Deathwing, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 3, Warhammer 40,000: Sanctus Reach, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr, Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War, Warhammer 40000 Mechanicus, Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2, Necromunda, Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector, Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters, Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus, Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, Warhammer 40,000: Warpforge

Warhammer 40,000, often abbreviated as Warhammer 40K or simply 40K, is a miniature wargame produced by Games Workshop. Set in a dystopian science-fantasy universe, it is the most popular miniature wargame globally. Players enact battles using miniature models of warriors and vehicles on a tabletop battlefield. Since its first edition in 1987, the franchise has expanded into various media, including novels, video games, and board games.