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The 50 Best TV Shows Adapted from Movies

The 50 Best TV Shows Adapted from Movies

Courtesy of The Sci-Fi Channel

45. Damien (2016)

Courtesy of A+E Networks

44. Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003-2006)

Courtesy of Disney Channel

43. From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series (2014-2016)

Courtesy of El Rey Network

42. Alien Nation (1989-1990)

Courtesy of Fox Network

41. Planet of the Apes (1974)

Courtesy of CBS

40. Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness (2011-2016)

Courtesy of Nickelodeon Network

39. Timon & Pumbaa (1995-1999)

Courtesy of Syndicated

38. The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985)

Courtesy of CBS

37. 10 Things I Hate About You (2009-2010)

Courtesy of ABC Family

36. The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992-1993)

Courtesy of ABC

35. Alice (2009)

Courtesy of Syfy

34. Highlander (1992-1998)

Courtesy of Hemdale Home Video

33. Beetlejuice (1989-1991)

Courtesy of ABC

32. The Dead Zone (2002-2007)

Courtesy of USA Network

31. Aladdin (1994-1995)

Courtesy of Buena Vista Television

30. The Librarians (2014-2018)

Courtesy of TNT

29. About a Boy (2014-2015)

Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

28. Clerks (2000-2001)

Courtesy of Adult Swim

27. La Femme Nikita (1997-2001)

Courtesy of USA Network

26. The Penguins of Madagascar (2008-2015)

Courtesy of Nickelodeon Network

25. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013-2020)

Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

24. In the Heat of the Night (1988-1995)

Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

23. The Real Ghostbusters (1986-1991)

Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

22. Stargate Universe (2009-2011)

Courtesy of MGM Television

21. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008-2009)

Courtesy of Fox Network

20. Limitless (2015-2016)

Ethan Miller / Getty Images

19. 12 Monkeys (2015-2018)

Courtesy of Syfy

18. Teen Wolf (2011-2017)

Courtesy of Music Television

17. Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003-2005)

Courtesy of Cartoon Network

16. Agent Carter (2015-2016)

Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

15. The Odd Couple (1970-1975)

Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

14. DreamWorks Dragons (2012-2014)

Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

13. Stargate: Atlantis (2004-2009)

Courtesy of The Sci-Fi Channel

12. Bates Motel (2013-2017)

Courtesy of A+E Networks

11. Tron: Uprising (2012-2013)

Courtesy of Disney XD

10. Parenthood (2010-2015)

Courtesy of NBC Universal Television Distribution

9. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Courtesy of 20th Television

8. Ash vs Evil Dead (2015-2018)

Courtesy of Starz

7. Stargate SG-1 (1997-2007)

Courtesy of MGM Domestic Television Distribution

6. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)

Courtesy of Cartoon Network

5. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002-2005)

Courtesy of Bandai Entertainment

4. M*A*S*H (1972-1983)

Courtesy of CBS

3. Hannibal (2013-2015)

Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

2. Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)

Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

1. Fargo (2014-2024)

Courtesy of FX Network

45. Damien (2016)
44. Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003-2006)
43. From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series (2014-2016)
42. Alien Nation (1989-1990)
41. Planet of the Apes (1974)
40. Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness (2011-2016)
39. Timon & Pumbaa (1995-1999)
38. The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985)
37. 10 Things I Hate About You (2009-2010)
36. The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992-1993)
35. Alice (2009)
34. Highlander (1992-1998)
33. Beetlejuice (1989-1991)
32. The Dead Zone (2002-2007)
31. Aladdin (1994-1995)
30. The Librarians (2014-2018)
29. About a Boy (2014-2015)
28. Clerks (2000-2001)
27. La Femme Nikita (1997-2001)
26. The Penguins of Madagascar (2008-2015)
25. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013-2020)
24. In the Heat of the Night (1988-1995)
23. The Real Ghostbusters (1986-1991)
22. Stargate Universe (2009-2011)
21. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008-2009)
20. Limitless (2015-2016)
19. 12 Monkeys (2015-2018)
18. Teen Wolf (2011-2017)
17. Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003-2005)
16. Agent Carter (2015-2016)
15. The Odd Couple (1970-1975)
14. DreamWorks Dragons (2012-2014)
13. Stargate: Atlantis (2004-2009)
12. Bates Motel (2013-2017)
11. Tron: Uprising (2012-2013)
10. Parenthood (2010-2015)
9. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
8. Ash vs Evil Dead (2015-2018)
7. Stargate SG-1 (1997-2007)
6. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
5. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002-2005)
4. M*A*S*H (1972-1983)
3. Hannibal (2013-2015)
2. Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)
1. Fargo (2014-2024)

You've been so enthralled watching a film that the closing credits disappoint you. It's so good that you need an expanded version. These are the types of movies you keep going back to rewatch. When there are TV shows based on movies, your wish comes true. You get to take a deeper dive into the story and understand the complexity of the characters as they evolve.

Producers present a story in a series format. You're already familiar with the characters and the world in which they live—so you settle right in. There is continuity but you get to appreciate the characters from a new perspective. Often, these shows highlight secondary characters, expanding their roles to create a dynamic experience.

There is creative freedom in TV shows, which means they can show events before the movie or what happens after. Take the "The Little Mermaid" (1992-1994), for example. Instead of following Ariel after the movie is over, the TV show is a prequel. You follow her in the ocean with each episode and it ends leading up to the events shown in the film.

There are TV shows like "Hannibal" (2013-2015) that take the same source material and expand on it in different ways. There are similarities in how the show and movies are produced with a highly stylized presentation. It's haunting, and alluring, and adds depth to the characters. You get to explore new story arcs and delight in the creative liberties taken for the storyline.

To determine the best TV shows based on movies, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on audience reception from IMDb. Television shows based on movies were ranked based on average IMDb user rating as of June 2024. Only shows with at least 5,000 reviews were considered.

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