The beloved video game that’s destroyed countless friendships over poorly chopped onions and missed soup deliveries is making its way to the small screen. Netflix and indie powerhouse A24 are joining forces to transform Overcooked into an unscripted competition series that promises to bring the game’s signature pandemonium into real-world kitchens.
When gaming meets reality television
According to Deadline, A24 has secured the rights to adapt the frantically fun cooking game, marking an interesting pivot for the studio known for art-house cinema rather than reality TV competitions. The collaboration aims to capture what made the video game a sensation: the beautiful disaster that unfolds when strangers must work together under intense pressure to prepare meals while navigating absurd obstacles.
Think of it as Netflix’s answer to combining the lighthearted chaos of shows like Nailed It! and Floor Is Lava with the competitive cooking format that audiences can’t seem to get enough of. The twist? Contestants will face the same high-stakes culinary challenges and environmental mayhem that made gamers around the world simultaneously laugh and rage-quit.
A partnership that keeps delivering
This isn’t the first rodeo for Netflix and A24 together. The streaming giant and the independent studio have been cooking up quality content since 2019’s Uncut Gems. Their partnership has proven versatile, producing everything from family-friendly entertainment to content with mature themes and violence, all while maintaining A24’s reputation for distinctive, high-caliber productions.
Their collaborative resume includes the gripping documentary The Deepest Breath, the critically acclaimed dark comedy series Beef, and various stand-up comedy specials. Each project demonstrates A24’s ability to inject narrative depth and genuine tension into any format—skills that could translate perfectly when dealing with the deceptively simple yet incredibly complex task of cooking alongside complete strangers.
What to expect from the show
While the production is reportedly in its early development stages, the creative team behind it is promising. Executive producers include Gemma Langford, Oli De-Vine, and Phil Duncan from Ghost Town Games (the original developers of Overcooked), alongside A24’s production team. Notably, this marks A24’s first venture into the reality competition space, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the project.
For those unfamiliar with the source material, Overcooked is a cooperative game where one to four players take on chef roles, racing against the clock to prep ingredients, cook dishes, and serve them to increasingly impatient customers. The catch? The kitchens are designed as obstacle courses filled with hazards, requiring players to master teamwork, clear communication, and precise coordination to succeed.
The secret sauce: Controlled chaos
Here’s where things get interesting: the game is notorious for turning harmonious cooperation into absolute bedlam. What should be simple task delegation somehow devolves into shouting matches over who forgot to plate the soup or why someone decided to carry raw ingredients across a moving platform. It’s a recipe for both comedy gold and genuine interpersonal drama—exactly the kind of authentic tension that makes for compelling reality television.
The game’s unique ability to test relationships (and occasionally end them) stems from its perfect storm of time pressure, spatial challenges, and the need for flawless coordination. Translating this digital frustration into physical reality could create television magic, especially if the show’s producers lean into the absurdist elements that made the game so memorable.
As Netflix continues expanding its unscripted programming and A24 explores new territories beyond traditional film and prestige TV, this Overcooked adaptation represents a fascinating experiment. Can the chaos that works so well in a virtual space translate to actual humans working in deliberately dysfunctional kitchens? If early buzz is any indication, audiences are eager to find out.