Warhammer 40k has never had a proper Hollywood blockbuster, but it’s built a surprisingly deep catalogue of animated films, shorts and series. Here’s what actually exists, what’s worth watching, and what’s still coming.
What counts as a Warhammer 40k movie
The list is shorter than you’d think. Games Workshop has mostly funded its own animation through Warhammer+, its subscription service, rather than licensing the IP to big studios.
So most ’40k movies’ are actually direct-to-streaming animated features or short films, ranging from ten minutes to feature length. A handful of live-action projects exist too, but they’re the exception.
- Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie (2010) was the first full-length attempt, a CGI film following a Space Marine squad.
- Inquisitor is a live-action fan-adjacent short that’s often lumped in with official releases.
- Warhammer+ hosts most modern animation, including Hammer and Bolter, Angels of Death, The Exodite and Interrogator.
The Warhammer+ animation slate
Warhammer+ launched in 2021 and became the main home for 40k animation. It’s a subscription service, so these aren’t movies you’ll find on Netflix or Prime.
The quality varies. Angels of Death is a grim, well-regarded series about a Blood Angels squad, while Hammer and Bolter is an anthology that jumps between factions and tones.
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Angels of Death | Animated series | Blood Angels vs Tyranids, plus an Origins prequel |
| Hammer and Bolter | Anthology series | Standalone episodes across factions |
| The Exodite | Animated series | T’au-focused, short run |
| Interrogator | Animated series | Inquisition-flavoured crime story |
| Pariah Nexus | Animated series | Necron and Space Marine conflict |
| Iron Within | Animated short | Iron Warriors during the Horus Heresy |
| Astartes | Fan animation | Widely praised, later hired by GW |
The Amazon live-action series
In 2022, Games Workshop announced a deal with Amazon to develop live-action Warhammer 40k films and TV. Henry Cavill is attached, and he’s a well-known 40k hobbyist.
Details are still thin. As of writing there’s no release date, cast list or confirmed story, and GW has been careful not to overpromise. Treat any ‘leaks’ with suspicion.
Why it matters for the lore
The screen adaptations don’t create new canon in the way a novel or codex does. They tend to dramatise existing events or invent small, self-contained stories that slot into the background.
That’s actually useful. If you’re new to 40k, something like Angels of Death gives you a feel for the setting without needing to read a dozen novels first. Just don’t treat the visuals as gospel for scale or uniform details.
Key facts
- The first 40k feature film was Ultramarines in 2010.
- Most official animation is exclusive to Warhammer+.
- Angels of Death and Hammer and Bolter are the flagship Warhammer+ series.
- A live-action Amazon series with Henry Cavill was announced in 2022 but hasn’t released.
- Screen adaptations rarely introduce major new lore.
FAQ
Is there a Warhammer 40k movie on Netflix or Prime?
Not really. Almost all official 40k animation lives on Warhammer+, Games Workshop’s own service. The Amazon live-action series is still in development.
What was the first Warhammer 40k movie?
Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie, released in 2010. It’s a CGI feature about a Space Marine squad and is generally seen as rough by modern standards.
Where should I start with 40k animation?
Angels of Death is the usual recommendation for newcomers. Astartes is short, free to find online and shows off the tone brilliantly.
Is the Henry Cavill Warhammer series out yet?
No. It was announced in 2022 with Amazon, but no release date or confirmed cast has been given.