The Best TV Shows Based on Movies
These are the best TV shows based on movies. Sometimes a story deserves the attention a small-screen adaptation offers, and this list ranks the top television series that all began with a film. When a story is so never-ending and epic, it is often perfect for a franchise, and film-to-TV adaptations can either re-imagine a story from a movie or extend its universe, though the adaptations often go the other direction. M*A*S*H is one of those rare instances of the film and television show both being perfect - although The Odd Couple (either of them) might fit that description. Did you know "Friday Night Lights" was a movie before a hit TV show? And what about all the animated ones like RoboCop and Clerks? Teen Wolf became MTV's number one scripted series and it evolved from a feature film. Many of your favorite Disney movies are now shows as well.
These are the greatest movies-turned-TV-shows in the history of entertainment. With Westworld also on the air, it is time to look back at the best TV series that are based on movies that have ever graced both screens. Some of these shows aren't only television adaptations of movies, they're based on a book too - sometimes even sticking closer to the novels than the movie did (or could).
What are the best TV shows based on movies? Vote up the best film-to-TV adaptations and see where your favorites rank.
- 1
Based on: MASH (1970)
- Actors: Alan Alda, McLean Stevenson, Wayne Rogers, Mike Farrell, Gary Burghoff
- Network: CBS
- Genres: Comedy,War & Politics
- 2
Based on: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
- Actors: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, James Marsters, Emma Caulfield
- Network: WB, UPN
- Genres: Drama,Fantasy,Horror
- 1Hush2,450 Votes
- 2Once More, With Feeling2,736 Votes
- 3The Body2,252 Votes
- 3
Based on: Star Wars franchise (1977)
- Actors: Pedro Pascal, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito, Omid Abtahi, Nick Nolte
- Network: Disney+
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Drama,Science Fiction
- 4
Based on: Beetlejuice (1988)
- Actors: Stephen Ouimette, Alyson Court
- Network: ABC
- Genres: Animation,Comedy,Kids
- 5
Based on: Ghostbusters (1984)
- Actors: Maurice LaMarche, Dave Coulier, Frank Welker
- Network: ABC
- Genres: Action,Animation,Comedy,Kids
- 6
Based on: Star Wars franchise (1977)
- Actors: Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, Tom Kane, James Arnold Taylor, Matthew Wood
- Network: Cartoon Network, Netflix, Disney+
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Animation,Kids,Science Fiction
- 7Obi-Wan Kenobi grapples with the downfall of his one-time friend and apprentice, Anakin Skywalker.
- Actors: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse
- Network: Disney+
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Drama,Science Fiction
- 8
Based on: The Karate Kid (1984)
- Actors: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Maridueña, Tanner Buchanan
- Network: YouTube, Netflix
- Genres: Action,Comedy,Drama
- 1Warrior17 Votes
- 2Into the Badlands22 Votes
- 3The Legend of Korra20 Votes
- 9
Based on: Stargate (1994)
- Actors: Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, Christopher Judge, Richard Dean Anderson, Ben Browder
- Network: Paramount+ with Showtime, Syndicated, Syfy
- Genres: Adventure,Science Fiction
- 10
Based on: Aladdin (1992)
- Actors: Scott Weinger, Linda Larkin, Gilbert Gottfried, Frank Welker
- Network: Syndicated
- Genres: Adventure,Animation,Kids
- 11
Based on: The Lion King (1994)
- Actors: Ernie Sabella, Kevin Schon, Corey Burton, Nancy Cartwright, Robert Guillaume
- Network: Syndicated
- Genres: Animation,Kids
- 12
Based on: Highlander (1986)
- Actors: Adrian Paul, Stan Kirsch, Jim Byrnes, Elizabeth Gracen, Peter Wingfield
- Network: Syndicated
- Genres: Adventure,Drama,Fantasy
- 13
Based on: What We Do in the Shadows franchise (2014)
- Actors: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch
- Network: FX
- Genres: Comedy,Horror
- 14
Based on: The Librarian franchise (2004)
- Actors: Rebecca Romijn, John Larroquette, Christian Kane, Lindy Booth, John Harlan Kim
- Network: TNT
- Genres: Adventure,Drama
- 15
Based on: Westworld (1973)
- Actors: Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson
- Network: HBO
- Genres: Drama,Science Fiction
- 16
Based on: Lilo & Stitch (2002)
- Actors: Daveigh Chase, Christopher Sanders, Tia Carrere, David Ogden Stiers, Kevin McDonald
- Network: ABC
- Genres: Adventure,Animation,Kids,Science Fiction
- 17
Based on: Star Wars franchise (1977)
- Actors: Taylor Gray, Freddie Prinze Jr., Vanessa Marshall, Tiya Sircar, Steve Blum
- Network: Disney XD
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Animation,Kids,Science Fiction
- 18
Based on: Back to the Future (1985)
- Actors: David Kaufman, Dan Castellaneta, Bill Nye
- Network: CBS, American Broadcasting Company
- Genres: Animation, Animated cartoon, Live action, Adventure film, Science Fiction
- 19
Based on: Evil Dead franchise (1981)
- Actors: Bruce Campbell, Lucy Lawless, Ray Santiago, Dana DeLorenzo, Jill Marie Jones
- Network: Starz
- Genres: Comedy,Horror
- 20
Based on: Psycho (1960)
- Actors: Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, Olivia Cooke, Nestor Carbonell
- Network: A&E
- Genres: Drama,Horror,Thriller
- 21
Based on: The Mask (1994)
- Actors: Rob Paulsen, Tim Curry, Jim Cummings
- Network: BBC One, Canal+, CBS, Canale 5
- Genres: Animation, Animated cartoon, Action, Animated series
- 22
Based on: Hercules (1997)
- Actors: Will Ferrell, Betty White, Lisa Kudrow, James Woods, Jennifer Jason Leigh
- Network: ABC
- Genres: Adventure,Animation,Kids
- 23
Based on: Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)
- Actors: Evan Richards, Christopher Kennedy, Danny Breen, Don Lake, Rick Overton
- Network: FOX
- Genres: Adventure,Comedy,Science Fiction
- 24Rebel spy Cassian Andor's formative years of the Rebellion.
- Actors: Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O'Reilly, Forest Whitaker, Adria Arjona
- Network: Disney+
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Science Fiction
- 1One Way Out142 Votes
- 2The Eye119 Votes
- 3Episode 3113 Votes
- 25
Based on: The Little Mermaid (1989)
- Actors: Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Edan Gross, Maurice LaMarche, Rob Paulsen
- Network: CBS
- Genres: Animation,Fantasy,Kids
- 26
Based on: Clerks (1994)
- Actors: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Jason Mewes
- Network: Comedy Central, American Broadcasting Company
- Genres: Animation, Sitcom, Comedy
- 27
Based on: The Dark Crystal (1982)
- Actors: Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nathalie Emmanuel, Caitriona Balfe, Helena Bonham Carter
- Network: Netflix
- Genres: Fantasy,Kids
- 28
Based on: Creepshow franchise (1982)
- Actors: David Arquette, Adrienne Barbeau, Tobin Bell, Giancarlo Esposito, Tricia Helfer
- Network: Shudder
- Genres: Comedy,Fantasy,Horror
- 29After his moment of fame passes, Ted the foul-mouthed teddy bear moves back in with his best friend.
- Actors: Scott Grimes, Alanna Ubach, Seth MacFarlane, Max Burkholder, Giorgia Whigham
- Network: Peacock
- Genres: Comedy
- 30
Based on: Star Wars franchise (1977)
- Actors: Cree Summer, Don Francks, John Stocker, Alyson Court, George Buza
- Network: ABC
- Genres: Animation, Science Fiction, Fantasy
- 31
Based on: How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
- Actors: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill
- Network: TOON
- Genres: Adventure,Animation,Kids
- 32
Based on: In the Heat of the Night (1967)
- Actors: Carroll O'Connor, Howard E. Rollins, Anne-Marie Johnson, Alan Autry, Denise Nicholas
- Network: NBC, CBS
- Genres: Crime,Drama,Mystery
- 33
Based on: Sitting Pretty (1948)
- Actors: Christopher Hewett, Bob Uecker, Ilene Graff, Rob Stone, Tracy Wells
- Network: ABC
- Genres: Comedy
- 34
Based on: The Odd Couple (1968)
- Actors: Tony Randall, Jack Klugman
- Network: ABC
- Genres: Comedy
- 35
RoboCop: The Animated Series
October 1, 1988Based on: RoboCop (1987)
- Actors: Len Carlson, Susan Roman, Dan Hennessey, Ron James, Barbara Budd
- Network: Syndication
- Genres: Animation, Action/Adventure, Animated cartoon, Children's television series, Adventure film
- 36A serial killer lures videographers into his world with the promise of a job documenting his life.
- Genres: Drama,Horror,Thriller
- 37
Based on: Lethal Weapon franchise (1987)
- Actors: Damon Wayans, Seann William Scott, Kevin Rahm, Jordana Brewster, Keesha Sharp
- Network: FOX
- Genres: Action,Comedy,Crime,Drama
- 38
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
December 13, 1995Based on: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
- Actors: Michael Daingerfield, Richard Binsley, Vince Corazza
- Network: CBS
- Genres: Animation,Comedy,Kids
- 39
Based on: Fargo (1996)
- Actors: Juno Temple, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Rysdahl, Joe Keery
- Network: FX
- Genres: Crime,Drama
- 1Season 1: Bemidji303 Votes
- 2Season 2: Luverne281 Votes
- 3Season 3: St. Cloud190 Votes
- 40
Based on: The Terminator franchise (1984)
- Actors: Lena Headey, Thomas Dekker, Summer Glau, Brian Austin Green, Richard T. Jones
- Network: FOX
- Genres: Action,Drama,Science Fiction
- 41Paula faces a nightmare of her own; her signature combination of dreams isn't working any more.
- Actors: Paula Pell, Richard Ayoade, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Kensington Tallman
- Network: Disney+
- Genres: Adventure,Animation,Comedy
- 42
Based on: Hanna (2014)
- Actors: Esme Creed-Miles, Mireille Enos, Dermot Mulroney, Ray Liotta, Cherrelle Skeete
- Network: Amazon
- Genres: Adventure
- 43
Based on: La Femme Nikita (1990)
- Actors: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca, Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke
- Network: CW
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Drama
- 1Canceled33 Votes
- 2Betrayals19 Votes
- 3Broken Home14 Votes
- 44
Based on: Alien Nation (1988)
- Actors: Gary Graham, Eric Pierpoint, Michele Scarabelli, Sean Six, Terri Treas
- Network: FOX
- Genres: Crime,Drama,Science Fiction
- 45The hotel workers of the Continental try to handle the hitmen and murderers who come to stay.
- Actors: Mel Gibson, Colin Woodell, Mishel Prada, Nhung Kate, Katie McGrath
- Network: Peacock
- Genres: Drama
- 46
Based on: Toy Story franchise (1995)
- Actors: Patrick Warburton, Stephen Furst, Nicole Sullivan
- Network: Disney Channel
- Genres: Animation, Animated cartoon, Children's television series, Animated series
- 47When Eddie inherits the family estate, he discovers that it's home to an enormous weed empire.
- Actors: Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, Giancarlo Esposito, Daniel Ings, Vinnie Jones
- Network: Netflix
- Genres: Comedy,Drama
- 48
Based on: Teen Wolf (1985)
- Actors: Tyler Posey, Dylan O'Brien, Holland Roden, Shelley Hennig, Dylan Sprayberry
- Network: MTV
- Genres: Drama,Fantasy
- 49
Based on: Big Hero 6 (2014)
- Actors: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Genesis Rodriguez, Jamie Chung, Brooks Wheelan
- Network: Disney XD
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Animation,Fantasy,Kids
- 50
Based on: The Three Caballeros (1944)
- Actors: Tony Anselmo, Eric Bauza, Jaime Camil, Grey DeLisle, Tress MacNeille
- Network: DISASIA
- Genres: Adventure,Kids
- 51
Based on: Tarzan (1999)
- Actors: Michael T. Weiss, Olivia d'Abo, Jim Cummings
- Network: Disney XD, UPN, PBS Kids, Toon Disney, Disney Channel
- Genres: Animation, Animated cartoon, Adventure film, Action, Animated series
- 52After a hazing incident, two step-siblings plot a scandalous seduction to maintain power.
- Actors: Sarah Catherine Hook, Zac Burgess, Savannah Lee Smith, John Harlan Kim, Khobe Clarke
- Network: Amazon
- Genres: Drama
- 53
Based on: Tron franchise (1982)
- Actors: Elijah Wood, Tricia Helfer, Bruce Boxleitner, Paul Reubens, Lance Henriksen
- Network: Disney XD
- Genres: Action,Animation,Kids
- 54
Based on: Jurassic World (2015)
- Actors: Paul-Mikél Williams, Jenna Ortega, Ryan Potter, Raini Rodriguez, Sean Giambrone
- Network: Netflix
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Animation,Kids
- 55
Based on: Highlander (1986)
- Actors: Paul Johansson, Elizabeth Gracen
- Network: Syndicated
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Drama,Fantasy
- 56
Based on: A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise
- Actors: Robert Englund
- Network: Syndication
- Genres: Horror
- 57
Based on: Police Academy franchise (1984)
- Actors: Joe Flaherty, Michael Winslow, Tony Longo, Matt Borlenghi
- Genres: Comedy
- 58
Based on: Friday Night Lights (2004)
- Actors: Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Aimee Teegarden, Brad Leland, Taylor Kitsch
- Network: NBC
- Genres: Drama,Sport
- 1Mud Bowl21 Votes
- 2Always14 Votes
- 3Pilot22 Votes
- 59
Based on: The Emperor's New Groove (2000)
- Actors: J.P. Manoux, Patrick Warburton, Eartha Kitt, Jessica DiCicco, Wendie Malick
- Network: Disney Channel
- Genres: Animation,Comedy,Kids
- 60
Based on: Limitless (2011)
- Actors: Jake McDorman, Jennifer Carpenter, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Hill Harper, Aaron Ayhan
- Network: CBS
- Genres: Crime,Science Fiction,Thriller
- 61
Based on: Star Wars franchise
- Actors: Christopher Sean, Scott Lawrence, Josh Brener, Stephen Stanton,
- Network: Disney Channel, Disney XD
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Animation,Kids,Science Fiction
- 62A charming musician finds himself fighting off his girlfriend's exes.
- Actors: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Jason Schwartzman
- Network: Netflix
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Animation,Comedy
- 63A vampire relies on her father to provide her with the human blood she needs to stay alive.
- Actors: Demián Bichir, Anika Noni Rose, Grace Gummer, Madison Taylor Baez, Kevin Carroll
- Network: Paramount+ with Showtime
- Genres: Drama,Thriller
- 64
Based on: 101 Dalmatians (1961)
- Actors: Pamela Adlon, Kath Soucie, Tara Strong, April Winchell, Jeff Bennett
- Network: Syndicated
- Genres: Adventure,Animation,Kids
- 65
Based on: Clueless (1995)
- Actors: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy
- Network: UPN, American Broadcasting Company
- Genres: Sitcom, Comedy-drama, Comedy
- 66Knuckles the Echidna teaches deputy Wade Whipple the techniques of the Echidna warrior.
- Actors: Idris Elba, Adam Pally, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O'Shaughnessey
- Network: Paramount+
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Animation,Comedy
- 67A journey through time and space with a ragtag group of thieves and an 11-year-old boy, Kevin.
- Actors: Lisa Kudrow, Kal-El Tuck, Tadhg Murphy, Roger Jean Nsengiyumva, Rune Temte
- Network: Apple TV+
- Genres: Adventure,Comedy,Fantasy
- 68Two lonely strangers land jobs working for a mysterious spy agency.
- Actors: Donald Glover, Maya Erskine, Wagner Moura
- Network: Amazon
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Comedy,Crime,Drama
- 69
Based on: 101 Dalmatians (1961)
- Actors: Josh Brener, Michaela Dietz, Rhashan Stone, Ella Kenion, Akia Henry
- Network: DISJNR
- Genres: Animation,Comedy,Kids
- 70
Based on: The Odd Couple (1968)
- Actors: Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon, Wendell Pierce, Lindsay Sloane, Yvette Nicole Brown
- Network: CBS
- Genres: Comedy
- 71
Based on: Boss Baby (2017)
- Actors: JP Karliak, Pierce Gagnon, Kevin Michael Richardson, Alex Cazares, Flula Borg
- Network: Netflix
- Genres: Animation,Comedy,Kids
- 72
Based on: Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)
- Actors: Linda Lavin, Philip McKeon, Vic Tayback, Polly Holliday, Beth Howland
- Network: CBS
- Genres: Comedy
- 73Twenty years after City of God, Buscapé recounts how conflicts between police, traffickers, and militias impacted the community.
- Actors: Alexandre Rodrigues, Andrea Horta, Thiago Martins, Roberta Rodrigues, Marcos Palmeira
- Network: MAXB
- Genres: Crime,Drama,Drama
- 74Young heroes navigate a world filled with dinosaurs and people who want to hurt them.
- Actors: Paul-Mikél Williams, Sean Giambrone, Darren Barnet, Raini Rodriguez, Kausar Mohammed
- Network: Netflix
- Genres: Action,Adventure,Animation,Kids
- 75
Based on: Wonder Park (2019)
- Actors: Kitana Turnbull, Greg Cipes, Ken Hudson Campbell
- Network: Nickelodeon
- Genres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- 76
Based on: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
- Actors: Jewel Staite, Thomas Dekker, Peter Scolari, Barbara Alyn Woods, Hillary Tuck
- Network: Syndication
- Genres: Sitcom, Drama, Comedy, Science Fiction
- 77
Based on: Critters (1986)
- Actors: Joey Morgan, Stephi Chin-Salvo, Bzhaun Rhoden, Kirsten Robek, Gilbert Gottfried
- Network: Shudder
- Genres: Science Fiction, Horror, Comedy
- 78
Based on: Madagascar franchise (2005)
- Actors: Tucker Chandler, Amir O'Neil, Shaylin Becton, Luke Lowe, Jasmine Gatewood
- Network: Peacock, Hulu
- Genres: Adventure,Animation,Kids
- 79Gal and Don descend into the seductive madness of London's criminal world during the 1990s.
- Actors: James McArdle, Emun Elliott, Tamsin Greig, Stephen Moyer, Sarah Greene
- Network: Paramount+
- Genres: Drama
- 80
Based on: A League of Their Own (1992)
- Actors: Sam McMurray, Carey Lowell, Christine Elise, Tracy Reiner, Megan Cavanagh
- Network: CBS
- Genres: Comedy
- 81
Based on: Parenthood (1989)
- Actors: Peter Krause, Dax Shepard, Craig T. Nelson, Lauren Graham, Max Burkholder
- Network: NBC
- Genres: Drama, Parenting
- 82Frank, Brenda, Barry, and Sammy attempt to build their very own food community.
- Actors: Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Michael Cera, David Krumholtz, Ed Norton
- Network: Amazon
- Genres: Animation,Comedy
- 83Helen makes the shocking discovery that her seemingly ordinary husband is an international spy.
- Actors: Steve Howey, Ginger Gonzaga, Erica Hernandez, Omar Miller, Mike O'Gorman
- Network: CBS
- Genres: Drama
- 84A maverick newspaper reporter defiantly chases the truth.
- Actors: Ryôko Yonekura, Gou Ayano, Ryûsei Yokohama, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Shinobu Terajima
- Network: Netflix
- Genres: Drama
- 85
Based on: The Dead Lands (2014)
- Actors: Te Kohe Tuhaka, Kali Kopae, Briar Rose, Richard Te Are, Darneen Christian
- Network: Shudder
- Genres: Action,Drama,Horror
- 86
Based on: More Than Blue (2009)
- Actors: Gingle Wang, Fandy Fan, Ivy Shao, Edison Wang, Figaro Tseng
- Network: Netflix
- Genres: Romance
- 87
Based on: The Full Monty (1997)
- Actors: Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, Lesley Sharp, Hugo Speer, Paul Barber
- Network: Hulu
- Genres: Comedy,Drama
- 88
Based on: Logan's Run (1976)
- Actors: Gregory Harrison, Heather Menzies-Urich, Donald Moffat, Randy Powell
- Network: CBS
- Genres: Science Fiction
- 89
Based on: Uncle Buck (1989)
- Actors: Kevin Meaney, Dah-ve Chodan, Jacob Gelman, Sarah Martineck
- Network: CBS
- Genres: Comedy
