Over the years, Call of Duty crossovers have brought a unique twist to a franchise that has traditionally focused on military warfare. While Fortnite initially popularized the concept, Activision has done well to expand the CoD universe with film, television, and game crossovers of its own.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best Call of Duty collabs since the franchise’s launch, with a focus on those that went beyond cosmetics to include playable content such as limited-time modes, events, and other in-game features.

What Are Call of Duty Crossovers And Why Do They Matter?

Call of Duty game collaborations (or crossovers) inject external IPs into the franchise through in-game events or cosmetic content. They usually appear as limited-time events, Event Pass rewards, seasonal themes, cosmetic bundles, Operator skins, or even entirely new Operators.

While the Call of Duty franchise has long featured collaborations, from Snoop Dogg voice packs to cosmetics inspired by TV series, movies, and video games, crossovers weren’t always central to its overall model. However, recent expansions have become a massive source of excitement for fans.

Beyond the surprise factor, collaborations offer a refreshing change of pace, temporarily moving away from Call of Duty’s traditional military focus and adding limited-time experiences built around themed content.

Best Call of Duty Crossovers Since Launch, Ranked

Given the extensive number of collaborations, ranking the best Call of Duty crossovers requires considering their impact on the game’s content and memorability for players.

Below, you’ll find a list of the five most popular Call of Duty collaborations, plus an explanation of what earned each of them that distinction.

The Haunting (#1)

The Haunting is, by far, the best crossover Call of Duty has ever delivered. It features a wide range of collaborations, all integrated in different ways to create a fully immersive experience.

This Halloween-themed event has brought iconic cultural franchises into the game, including Saw, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Scream, Donnie Darko, Spawn, Blizzard’s Diablo, Evil Dead 2, Skeletor, Hellsing, Michael Myers, Terrifier, Jason Voorhees, Chucky, and Predator.

While not every crossover introduced a dedicated game mode, the Halloween setting and darker atmosphere made each feel naturally embedded, reinforcing the event’s signature tone of horror and suspense.

It also introduced modes inspired by iconic characters like Jason, Spawn, and Michael Myers, transforming classic Call of Duty Multiplayer, Warzone, or Zombies modes into bloodier, darker, and horror-themed experiences. This was bolstered by new skins and playable characters, along with bundled cosmetic items.

Godzilla vs. Kong (#2)

Although Vanguard wasn’t one of the most memorable entries, it hosted one of Call of Duty’s most iconic crossovers: the Monsterverse, featuring Godzilla and King Kong.

Through Operation Monarch, players faced full-scale versions of both Titans in Warzone, where survival meant battling not only enemy squads but also the legendary creatures roaming the map.

The event introduced exclusive gameplay mechanics, including the S.C.R.E.A.M. Device Killstreak, which allowed players to harness Titan-inspired abilities such as Godzilla’s Heat Ray Breath or Kong’s Ground Slam Jump.

Beyond that, the crossover also added playable Operator skins for Godzilla, Kong, and Mechagodzilla to the in-game store. The Titans’ rivalry later returned in MW3 (2023), bringing new store bundles featuring Titanus Godzilla, Skar, Kong Armor, and Shimo.

This was complemented by the Battle for Hollow Earth event, which offered free Monsterverse-themed rewards, as well as the exclusive B.E.A.S.T. Glove melee weapon, unlockable only by purchasing all collaboration bundles for around $80.

Fallout (#3)

The Fallout x Call of Duty crossover was featured twice, each time offering a distinct experience. 

The first collaboration landed in Modern Warfare 3 (2023) with the Vault Dwellers event, offering free Fallout-themed rewards and Vault-inspired Task Force 141 Operators. Fallout returned in a much larger collaboration with Black Ops 7 and Warzone, becoming the biggest crossover in Call of Duty history.

This event introduced a Fallout-themed Event Pass with both free and premium reward tracks. The free track unlocked the Dweller and Wanderer Operators, while the premium track added The Ghoul and Maximus. Lucy was also available separately through a dedicated store bundle.

The crossover also delivered multiple limited-time experiences across all modes, including Power Armor Royale in Warzone, the Wraith Wing and Deathclaw Hunt World Events in Campaign Endgame, Project RADS in Zombies, and S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Mayhem in Multiplayer, featuring special buffs inspired by the Fallout universe.

To top it off, the Fallout Quantum Exchange event rewarded players with exclusive themed items and two new weapons: the Hawker HX Sniper Rifle and the Sturmwolf 45 SMG.

The Boys (#4)

The Boys crossover with Call of Duty spanned two different titles: MW2 (2022) and MW3 (2023), each delivering a fun experience.

The MW2 collab introduced a limited-time mode in the Vondel map centered around the special serum Temp V. It also granted players temporary superpowers inspired by Homelander, Starlight, Firecracker, Black Noir, and A-Train, all of whom were also added as playable Operators.

These abilities—which included laser vision, electric shockwaves, charge jumps, and teleportation—allowed players to recreate the chaotic superhero world of the Amazon Prime series, pushing Call of Duty beyond its usual modern-military tone into a more dynamic, unpredictable battleground.

The MW3 crossover offered a dedicated in-game event focused entirely on cosmetics, featuring exclusive rewards like a free camouflage inspired by Vought (the corporation behind The Boys and its flagship superhero team, The Seven).

80s Action Heroes (#5)

The 80s Action Heroes crossover in Call of Duty introduced Rambo and John McClane from Die Hard, bringing both iconic characters into the game as playable Operators while also adding themed changes across maps and gameplay.

The collaboration featured Nakatomi Plaza as a new POI in Warzone, which quickly became one of the most popular drop locations due to its high-value loot. Rambo’s arrival also added CIA Outposts and Survival Camps to the map.

Both Operators not only recreated the likeness of Rambo and John McClane, but also included the original voices of Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis. In Rambo’s case, his iconic combat bow was added as a special killstreak in a limited-time mode, allowing players to take down enemies with explosive arrows.

While this crossover didn’t offer much content, it was well-received for its replayability and atmosphere. Plus, players enjoyed dropping into Nakatomi Plaza in Warzone or embracing Rambo’s Vietnam-era intensity in Multiplayer, making the event memorable despite its limited scope.

Honorable Mentions

Given the extensive number of Call of Duty collaborations, several deserve notable mentions.

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Squid Game 2
• Terminator
• The Walking Dead
• Street Fighter

These crossovers delivered more than just licensed cosmetics. They also introduced themed gameplay modes and in-game changes across PC, console, and mobile, all tailored to the featured movies, series, and games.

How Have Call of Duty Collabs Evolved Over Time?

Initially, Call of Duty collaborations were limited in scope, focusing on adding themed content to specific modes. This was often accessed through paid DLC, preserving the base game’s traditional military aesthetic.

An early example was Michael Myers in Call of Duty: Ghosts, where completing a Field Order temporarily transformed players into the character on the Fog map only.

The series later experimented with lighter crossover elements, such as the Snoop Dogg bundle, which replaced the standard military announcer, along with distinctive camouflage packs that moved away from realistic military designs, a trend that continued in Black Ops 2.

However, it wasn’t until Modern Warfare (2019) and Warzone’s The Haunting of Verdansk that Call of Duty fully embraced the modern crossover model popularized by games like Fortnite and League of Legends.

This event introduced collaborations with Saw and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, featuring permanent Operator skins, themed weapon blueprints, and unique modes like Zombie Royale and Trick or Treat, transforming the game’s atmosphere into a fully immersive Halloween experience.

How Does Activision Choose Call of Duty Collaborations?

When selecting collaborations for Call of Duty, Activision primarily considers the popularity of the IP being introduced, along with brand alignment and compatibility with the game universe and modes.

Each crossover is designed not only to attract new audiences of different ages and interests who may not typically play Call of Duty, but also to offer existing players a fresh experience through recognizable characters and themes.

From a business perspective, collaborations also help expand the CoD franchise’s revenue potential or reach, opening the door to partnerships with other high-profile games, films, and series.

Since licensing and intellectual property agreements often take significant time to develop, some collaborations may launch later than initially planned. As a result, certain crossovers might arrive after the IP’s peak popularity, even if the concept remains a strong thematic fit for Call of Duty.

FAQs

What was the best collab in Call of Duty?

The Haunting is widely regarded as the best collaboration in Call of Duty. It consistently delivers crossovers with TV series, movies, and video games that perfectly capture the dark and terrifying atmosphere.

How long do Call of Duty collab skins and content stay in the store?

Typically, collaboration content is available for at least half a season, though the duration may be shorter if it’s tied to a limited-time event.

What was the first Call of Duty collaboration?

The Haunting in MW 2019 (Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Saw) marked the first modern-style collaboration in Call of Duty. However, Michael Myers and Snoop Dogg in Call of Duty: Ghosts are also considered the first licensed crossover additions.

How does Call of Duty choose its collaborations?

When selecting collaborations for Call of Duty, Activision primarily considers the popularity of the IP, brand alignment, potential audience reach and revenue, and, in some cases, fan demand when there is significant interest.