6 Must-Watch TV Shows Based on Movies

Hollywood has never been shy about turning successful movies into television shows and vice versa. Sometimes the result feels unnecessary as if an already-known title was borrowed to attract attention. The only disadvantage to this is that either the viewers will be happy or disappointed. There’s no in between most of the time. Every now and then though, a series comes along that proves that make the movie so much better.

What’s interesting is that some of these shows ended up building their own fan bases and, in a few cases even surpassed the popularity of the movies that inspired them. So if you’re trying to find some shows based on movies for your next TV streaming session, here are our best picks.

Cobra Kai

Most movie-to-TV adaptations have to convince audiences why they exist. Cobra Kai never really faced that challenge. The series picks up decades after The Karate Kid and shifts much of the spotlight to Johnny Lawrence. He was a villain before and now, he’s one of the most interesting characters. Part of the fun comes from how seriously everyone takes karate. But the best part of this show is probably the nostalgia of it all, especially for the 90s kids.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The 1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie developed a cult following. You might have watched it years before as it aired on DISH Network. Years later, how did the TV series do? Exceptionally well, that’s for sure. The premise is not that complicated. It’s about a teenage girl who battles vampires and other supernatural threats while trying to survive high school.

Over seven seasons, it takes its viewers on different experiences. One entire week can be totally scary while the next one can be hilarious. That willingness to experiment helped keep the show fresh. It also turned it into one of TV’s most influential genre series.

Snowpiercer

Turning Snowpiercer into a TV series seemed like a risky move at first because the movie was so successful. But then again, the story could expand to so much more, and that’s what the TV series did. Instead of how the movies did it, the TV show spent more time exploring how the world functions and how different social classes survive under extreme conditions. Some scenes even come to a point where it’s kinda hard to watch because it can be so real.

M*A*S*H

It’s easy to forget that MASH* started as a movie because the television series became such a cultural phenomenon. It’s about the staff of a mobile army surgical hospital during the Korean War. The premise seems heavy, and to be honest sometimes it was, but the series also has its humorous side. Its ability to shift between comedy and drama without making it feel forced is one of its strengths. And even if it’s a really old show, you can still watch it on various streaming services.

The Lincoln Lawyer

Legal dramas are already common, but what makes The Lincoln Lawyer so special that it still stands out from the rest? It’s all about Mickey Haller. He’s a defense attorney who operates from the back seat of his Lincoln. The concept gives the show an identity from the start, but it’s the cases and character relationships that keep things interesting. If you like legal dramas like Suits, you will probably enjoy this show.

Stargate

There are only a few science fiction franchises that have expanded as successfully as Stargate. The original movie introduced people to the idea of an ancient portal capable of connecting worlds. The TV series took that concept and ran with it but adding years of exploration, conflict, diplomacy, and discovery. Stargate was so good at showing how the universe grows naturally over time.

It’s Time to Watch TV Shows Based on Movies

Not every movie really needs a follow-up series. Yes, we’re kind of stating the obvious here but there’s always that moment where you see a title you already know being turned into something longer, and you wonder if it can actually justify the stretch. But then you start watching one of these shows, and it quietly proves you wrong. So if you’re looking for TV shows based on movies that are worth your time, you won’t go wrong with these.