An embodiment of the present invention provides systems and methods for adaptive video decoding. An example method includes: receiving a video stream comprising a first plurality of pictures having a first type and a second plurality of pictures having a second type; determining whether a resource in the system is constrained; responsive to the determination that a resource in the system is constrained, determining whether a picture repetition mode is to be initiated; and responsive to the determination that a picture mode is to be initiated, initiating the picture repetition mode. The initiating includes: foregoing decoding the first plurality of pictures; decoding the second plurality of pictures; and presenting a picture in the second plurality of pictures a plurality of times.