Top 25 TV Series Based on Movies

Occasionally, an exceptional movie creates a universe that yearns for further exploration. Time and again, television has served as a bridge to continue narratives, delve deeper into characters, and expand entire cinematic worlds initially introduced on the big screen. This interplay results in numerous series that share familiar titles yet offer fresh storylines, new characters, and space for more intricate plot developments.

This collection encompasses a diverse array of genres and styles. You’ll find sequels that carry forward stories from popular movies, prequels that delve into the past, and reinterpretations that offer fresh perspectives on familiar concepts. Each entry provides information about what the show is based on, how it builds upon the original idea, as well as important details such as the networks, casts, and overall structure.

‘Fargo’ (2014– )

Noah Hawley’s ‘Fargo,’ originally produced for FX, takes inspiration from the Coen brothers’ movie of the same name and transforms it into an ongoing anthology series focused on crime in small towns. Each season presents a distinct story featuring fresh characters, yet maintains the unique blend of eccentric criminals, local law enforcement, and investigations that become entangled in larger intrigues.

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but appreciate the cinematic connection this show weaves. It subtly ties in with the film through shared Midwestern landscapes, thematic hints, and sporadic character interlinking. The structure of the seasons is meticulously designed as limited series, each with its own intricate plotline. The production team has an impressive knack for gathering a revolving cast of renowned actors to spearhead each installment, making each chapter a fresh yet familiar cinematic experience.

‘Hannibal’ (2013–2015)

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve found myself utterly captivated by ‘Hannibal’, a television series produced by Bryan Fuller for NBC. This gripping show is deeply rooted in the movies ‘Manhunter’, ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, ‘Hannibal’, and ‘Red Dragon’. The narrative revolves around my personal favorite, FBI profiler Will Graham, and the enigmatic Dr. Hannibal Lecter, delving into their intricate early relationship while skillfully weaving together cases and storylines that resonate with viewers due to their familiarity from the films.

Throughout various storylines, the series creatively reimagines key plot points like the Tooth Fairy case and the Chesapeake Ripper saga. It seamlessly combines detective work with a serial narrative focusing on psychological depth. The primary ensemble includes Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen, while characters from the movie world gradually appear as recurring figures over the course of the show.

‘Bates Motel’ (2013–2017)

‘A&E’ debuted the television series ‘Bates Motel’, which serves as a modern-day precursor to the movie ‘Psycho’. The show focuses on characters Norman Bates and his mother Norma, as they relocate to a seashore town and revitalize their family motel. The narrative explores Norman’s increasing mental instability and the intricate familial relationships that pave the way for the well-known events depicted in the movie.

The series encompasses five seasons, gradually expanding White Pine Bay by introducing recurring law enforcement officials, classmates, and criminal elements. It skillfully blends distinct visuals from ‘Psycho’, while crafting unique storylines for secondary characters. Additionally, it documents Norman’s evolution through therapy sessions, episodes of amnesia, and the emergence of the Mother character.

’12 Monkeys’ (2015–2018)

12 Monkeys, airing on Syfy, transforms the movie ’12 Monkeys’ into an engaging time-travel thriller with an extensive narrative arc. The series primarily revolves around characters James Cole, a time traveler, and Dr. Cassandra Railly, a virologist, as they strive to stop a worldwide pandemic by confronting the Army of the 12 Monkeys and untangling the intricate knots of cause-and-effect.

Over the course of four seasons, the series delves deeper into the idea of time anomalies using devices such as the Splinter machine and the significance of the Primaries. It presents factions with conflicting timelines, investigates paradoxes stemming from closed loops, and constructs a continuous storyline that unravels significant mysteries while maintaining the film’s fundamental concept.

‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)

HBO’s ‘Westworld’ offers a fresh take on the original movie, focusing on an advanced theme park filled with realistic robots known as ‘hosts.’ The show starts within this park, where both guests and hosts follow repeating storylines. However, as the hosts develop self-awareness, they start challenging their programming, leading to events that expand beyond the park’s boundaries.

The show frequently moves its scenes between the park and the broader world, and back again, as plots develop. It employs multiple timelines, a large group of actors, and complex sets featuring various themed parks, delving into themes such as corporate power, data collection, and the development of artificial intelligence, which expands upon the film’s initial concept.

‘Friday Night Lights’ (2006–2011)

‘Friday Night Lights’ is based on both the movie with the same name and the inspiring non-fiction book. This TV show is set in the fictitious town of Dillon, where it focuses on the local high school football team, the Panthers, their head coach Eric Taylor, as well as a group of players and families whose lives are deeply intertwined with the school, sports, and the town’s community.

For five consecutive seasons, the show was aired, featuring an exceptional collaboration where initial episodes premiered on a satellite television station, followed by their broadcast on a network. The program employed a documentary-style camera technique, conducted outdoor shootings in Texas, and explored narrative arcs encompassing recruitment, injuries, and academic stress, all set within the universe established by the original film.

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)

In simpler terms, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ television series is based on the movie of the same name, transforming it into an ongoing supernatural series. The show focuses on Buffy Summers, a character who juggles her high school life with her destiny as the Vampire Slayer. Alongside her, there’s a group of friends and mentors, fondly referred to as the Scooby Gang, who aid her in her battles against the supernatural world.

The show combines standalone monster stories with overarching villain plots (called Big Bad arcs) and introduces concepts like Watchers, Hellmouths, and connections to the spin-off series ‘Angel’. It switched networks while airing, creating a vast collection of episodes that solidified iconic characters and set the ground rules for its unique vampire and demon lore.

‘Ash vs Evil Dead’ (2015–2018)

In a continuation of the movie series, Starz launched ‘Ash vs Evil Dead’, resuming the storyline with Ash Williams years after the original ‘Evil Dead’ films concluded. The show introduces Ash to new companions Pablo and Kelly, as they jointly battle against the resurrected Deadites and fresh outbreaks linked to the Necronomicon.

In this new installment, episodes offer tangible results, animal-like characters, and impressive scenes reminiscent of the films, yet they introduce new villains and locations to deepen the story’s mythology. The team manages to bring back Bruce Campbell as the main character and reintroduce familiar figures from the cinematic universe. By using artifacts, predictions, and recurring entities, the series links episodes together.

‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’ (2008–2009)

In this continuation of the ‘Terminator’ movie universe, the TV show focuses on Sarah and John Connor as they elude Skynet’s operatives. A reformed cyborg named Cameron enters their midst, strengthening a compact team that employs smarts, time-travel know-how, and teamwork to thwart the emergence of artificial intelligence.

The series features competing tech companies, a relentless chase by law enforcement, and adversaries displaced in time who add intrigue to the storyline. It employs a continuing narrative to delve into underground resistance groups, hints of future conflicts, and the repercussions of time travel, placing it as a separate timeline from the movie series.

‘The Exorcist’ (2016–2017)

On Fox airs ‘The Exorcist’, which carries on the narrative of the movie ‘The Exorcist’. In its inaugural season, we follow two clerics as they explore a haunting within a Chicago family, with plot threads that directly link to the initial exorcism case from the film that viewers recall.

In the second season, we find a change in scenery as it delves into an anthology-style format while retaining key characters and its central theme of investigating supernatural entities, specifically demons. The story is primarily supported by practical effects, exorcism rituals, and the politics within the church, expanding the world beyond just one household to encompass a broader scope.

‘From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series’ (2014–2016)

For the El Rey Network, “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” extends the movie “From Dusk Till Dawn” into a multi-season crime horror saga. It chronicles the adventures of the Gecko brothers and Texas Ranger Freddie Gonzalez, while also unveiling the wider universe linked to the Titty Twister bar setting.

As a passionate fan, I’d say this new adaptation delves deeper into the lore of culebras by weaving in Mesoamerican legends, hierarchies within cults, and fresh adversaries. It maintains the essential heist and road trip elements from the movie, but then ventures into supernatural realms as it explores serialized storylines that link criminal activities to ancient temples and rituals.

‘Scream: The TV Series’ (2015–2019)

Initially on MTV, followed by VH1, the ‘Scream’ slasher film series made its debut on television. The initial two seasons unfolded in the town of Lakewood, where a fresh mask and a series of killings sparked investigations among both students and local officials within their circle.

In simpler terms, a later season of this series introduces fresh characters, revives the iconic Ghostface voice and mask, and adopts a mystery-style format similar to the movies it’s based on. Each episode ends with suspenseful cliffhangers, incorporates references that nod to classic slasher movie rules, and maintains an emphasis on potential suspects, misleading leads, and case documents reminiscent of the film series structure.

‘Teen Wolf’ (2011–2017)

MTV’s ‘Teen Wolf’ takes the comedy movie ‘Teen Wolf’ and transforms it into a supernatural series focusing on drama. The character Scott McCall undergoes a transformation into a werewolf following an incident in the forest, and he must now grapple with his new powers, territorial disputes, and threats to his small town of Beacon Hills.

The collection features hunters, banshees, kitsune, and various other entities that offer a more comprehensive menagerie than the movie portrays. The narrative spins around leaders (alphas), competing packs, and age-old artifacts, while the series seamlessly blends lacrosse matches, school experiences with everyday life, and continuous supernatural probes.

‘Limitless’ (2015–2016)

The TV show ‘Limitless’ produced by CBS carries on its storyline as a procedural thriller focusing around Brian Finch, an individual who exploits the super-intelligent drug NZT in a unique deal with the FBI. The series illustrates the advanced thinking capabilities of NZT while exploring weekly cases that subtly interweave with a larger political game.

In the series, Bradley Cooper’s repeated portrayal of Eddie Morra links it closely to the movie. The creative team switches up visual approaches to represent the impact of NZT, and they bring in additional characters who handle Brian’s wellbeing, create cover narratives, and grapple with ethical dilemmas related to the drug.

‘Minority Report’ (2015)

The series ‘Minority Report’ was transformed into a sequel, which unfolds post the demise of the Precrime program. Here, a precog named Dash teams up with detective Lara Vega to solve crimes, relying on incomplete visions that no longer benefit from the comprehensive support system previously offered by the agency.

The series employs a weekly case format to unfold an overarching narrative concerning the future of the surviving precogs and the technology behind Precrime, while simultaneously delving into illicit applications of forecasting devices and the political tug-of-war surrounding the reintroduction of debatable monitoring techniques.

‘Lethal Weapon’ (2016–2019)

Transformed the buddy cop movie franchise ‘Lethal Weapon’ into a TV show. It features Roger Murtaugh and Martin Riggs, whose partnership is reimagined to fit contemporary crime scenarios and police department interactions, while preserving the iconic characteristics of these characters from the original films.

Throughout various seasons, this show presents a mix of intense action sequences, family-oriented storylines, and shifts in the primary character pairings. It consistently includes recurring cases dealing with trafficking networks and cartels, investigations within the department, and cooperative missions that extend its focus beyond local precinct work.

‘Cobra Kai’ (2018– )

The TV series ‘Cobra Kai’ picks up the narrative of ‘The Karate Kid’ movies, focusing on Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso as they grow older. Originally airing on a streaming platform, it has since expanded to a broader service, featuring familiar characters and fresh students from rival martial arts schools.

The story expands beyond the original films by incorporating tournament seasons, rivalries between dojos, and mentorship relationships. Through flashbacks, differing training ideologies, and shifting alliances, the narrative unfolds across various arcs, drawing upon the film series for characters’ pasts and lingering conflicts.

‘Snowpiercer’ (2020–2024)

Originally aired on TNT before being transferred to another network for its conclusion, ‘Snowpiercer’ expands upon the world presented in the film of the same name. The series unfolds aboard a constantly moving train that circumnavigates a globe encased in ice, where social hierarchies are strictly maintained by the train’s staff and ruling class.

The story adds a second train named Big Alice, broadens the political divisions, and delves into survival techniques spanning from agricultural carriages to research facilities. The plotlines progress through uprisings, power shifts, and endeavors to heat specific regions of the planet, all taking place within the geographical boundaries of interconnected train compartments.

‘The Purge’ (2018–2019)

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I’d say that USA Network’s ‘The Purge’ breathes life into the film series by transforming it into an engaging two-season anthology. The first season immerses you in the chaotic annual Purge night, following various citizens as they navigate through the mayhem. However, the second season takes a gripping turn, delving deep into the aftermath and off-season repercussions for both individuals and institutions, making it a must-watch for any fan of the franchise!

This series expands upon the universe established by the New Founding Fathers of America, underground transactions, and rebellious factions. It ties in with the films using recognizable masks and regulations, then introduces practical aspects like insurance policies, private security services, and legal technicalities that govern The Purge.

‘RoboCop: The Series’ (1994)

‘RoboCop: The TV Show’ transitions the big-screen RoboCop experience to your living rooms, where Alex Murphy, the cyborg cop, resumes his duties in a futuristic Detroit. The series adapts the movie, delving into corporate intrigues, non-lethal weaponry, and persistent antagonists, all tailored for weekly storytelling.

The series, in contrast to the movies, caters to a wider audience by diminishing explicit content and emphasizing intricate investigative storylines and law enforcement technology. It features standalone cases that explore themes like media deceit, corporate spying, and potential hazards to public safety, all set within the backdrop of Omni Consumer Products.

‘Planet of the Apes’ (1974)

The television network CBS broadcasted a live-action series titled ‘Planet of the Apes’, which is derived from its iconic movie series. In this show, two space travelers wind up in a realm where apes dominate politics and the armed forces, while humans are subject to stringent regulations.

The story unfolds as a group journey through various villages and city-states, encountering friendly apes and human dissidents along the way. The narrative style combines elements of a travel adventure with social power struggles. Key recurring aspects include gorilla police units, orangutan governing bodies, and archaeological clues suggesting the planet’s historical background.

‘The Real Ghostbusters’ (1986–1991)

In a creative adaptation catering to younger viewers, ‘The Real Ghostbusters’ transforms the live-action movie ‘Ghostbusters’ into an animated television series. The show maintains the original team and delves into their adventures as they respond to supernatural calls throughout New York City, utilizing the Ecto 1 vehicle, proton packs, and ghost traps to capture various spirits.

In this installment, fresh ghost characters appear alongside recurring foes, plus a friendly rendition of Slimer who becomes integrated into their everyday routines. The show delves deeper into the firehouse’s technology and containment unit while using self-contained episodes to examine folklore and city legends tailored to the Ghostbusters’ equipment.

‘Stargate SG-1’ (1997–2007)

‘Stargate SG-1’ carries on from the movie ‘Stargate’, introducing a military project which utilizes the gate network for both exploration and defense purposes. The SG-1 team journeys to diverse alien worlds, coming across human societies seeded by the Goa’uld and forging alliances that eventually shape the political landscape of the cosmos.

Throughout ten seasons, I’ve been part of a journey that delves deep into the major storylines of the Goa’uld System Lords, the Replicators, and the Asgard. Along the way, we’ve expanded this universe with additional series and movies. Our mission has always been about exploration, but what sets us apart is the intricate mix of standalone missions and ongoing conflicts that consistently challenge and elevate our narrative beyond the ordinary.

‘Parenthood’ (2010–2015)

NBC’s ‘Parenthood’ transforms the movie ‘Parenthood’ into a multi-character family saga. This show focuses on the Braverman clan, delving into the lives of siblings, spouses, and offspring as they navigate work, education, and the daily hurdles of parenthood.

Narrative themes follow the transitions in family members’ adoptions, health, and careers across various homes. The storytelling style intertwines various plotlines, highlighting shared moments at meals, school functions, and work environments, consistently reinforcing the main theme of a multi-generational family saga.

‘Highlander: The Series’ (1992–1998)

‘Highlander: The Series’ expands on the universe of the movie ‘Highlander’ by introducing a new protagonist, Duncan MacLeod from Clan MacLeod. The series narrates his journeys as an immortal who engages in battles with others like him, and the fights conclude when only one is left standing.

The series incorporates both contemporary tales and glimpses into history to unveil Duncan’s past and connections. It features recurring allies and enemies, delves into the mechanics of the Game, and lays the foundation for connected series within the franchise, creating a continuous narrative that evolves from the film’s core idea.

Enjoyed this list. Share your favorite TV series based on movies in the comments.

2025-08-26 05:18