Josh Cooley and Sam Raimi Dive Into Roblox's 99 Nights for a New Film

Josh Cooley, the filmmaker who brought Toy Story 4 to life and directed Transformers One, has agreed to write a feature adaptation of the popular video game 99 Nights in the Forest for 20th Century Studios. The deal was confirmed by after the studio secured rights in a highly competitive bidding process.

No director has yet been attached to the project.

Cooley’s previous film, Transformers One, opened worldwide to a gross exceeding $129 million, making it one of the studio’s more successful ventures in the action‑animation genre.

The agreement marks his first foray into adapting a non‑fiction video game into a cinematic narrative. reported that the project is still in early development, with no official release window announced.

The source of the rights for the game adaptation came at a time when 20th Century Studios was actively expanding its live‑action portfolio beyond its legacy franchises. the studio landed the rights in a competitive environment that saw several other major players express interest.

The absence of a director at this stage suggests the studio is still exploring creative options.

## Background & Context

Cooley’s career has been shaped by his work at Pixar, where he contributed to several award‑winning films such as Inside Out and Coco. His first feature directorial effort, Toy Story 4, premiered in 2019 and was received positively by critics and audiences alike.

In 2023 he transitioned to live‑action with Transformers One, the studio’s first fully CG‑animated entry in the long‑running franchise.

The recent deal to write 99 Nights in the Forest follows Cooley’s successful foray into action‑animation and signals 20th Century Studios’ ongoing strategy to diversify its content slate.

The project aligns with the studio’s ambition to tap into established fanbases, a model it has replicated with adaptations of popular games and franchises. This move also reflects a broader industry trend of translating digital gaming experiences into cinematic storytelling.

## Production Team & Development

the rights were secured in a competitive landscape where several major studios expressed interest. Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert of Ghost House Pictures are slated to produce the film, bringing a legacy of horror and suspense to the project.

Executive producers include Alec Kieft (also known as Cracky4), Matthew Hufton (ForyxeV), Cameron Angland (Viridial), Romel Adam, and Jose Cañas.

J.R. Young is overseeing the project for 20th Century Studios, while Michelle Kamme is credited with negotiating the deal that brought the project to fruition. The collaboration brings together creative talent from both animation and live‑action backgrounds, hinting at a blend of visual styles.

No director has been named yet, allowing the studio flexibility to choose a vision that fits the game's atmospheric tone.

## Game Origins & Reception

99 Nights in the Forest is an action‑survival game developed by Grandma’s Favourite Games, where players must navigate a haunted forest for 99 nights while rescuing four lost children and avoiding hostile deer and other creatures.

The title has been described as a blend of horror and strategy, requiring careful resource management to survive each night.

The game, which debuted on Roblox less than a year ago, has become the seventh most‑played title on the platform, boasting nearly 26 billion lifetime visits and a player rating of 90.6%. Its popularity reflects a growing trend of immersive storytelling within sandbox environments that appeal to a broad audience.

With Cooley’s track record and a powerhouse production team behind it, the adaptation of 99 Nights in the Forest is poised to bring a beloved gaming experience to the big screen. The studio’s careful selection of talent and early development stage suggest a deliberate approach, though an official release date remains unannounced.