The 50 Best TV Shows Based on Movies

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.

50. Blade: The Series (2006)

Source: Courtesy of Spike TV

• IMDb user rating: 6.3/10
• IMDb user votes: 6,101

49. The Emperor’s New School (2006-2008)

Source: Courtesy of Disney Channel

• IMDb user rating: 6.6/10
• IMDb user votes: 6,609

48. The Little Mermaid (1992-1994)

Source: Courtesy of CBS

• IMDb user rating: 6.7/10
• IMDb user votes: 6,144

47. Dominion (2014-2015)

Source: Courtesy of Syfy

• IMDb user rating: 6.7/10
• IMDb user votes: 24,253

46. The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius (2002-2006)

Source: Courtesy of Nickelodeon Network

• IMDb user rating: 6.7/10
• IMDb user votes: 24,690

45. Damien (2016)

Source: Courtesy of A+E Networks

• IMDb user rating: 6.8/10
• IMDb user votes: 8,355

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

Source: Courtesy of Disney Channel

• IMDb user rating: 6.8/10
• IMDb user votes: 11,599

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

Source: Courtesy of El Rey Network

• IMDb user rating: 6.8/10
• IMDb user votes: 21,578

42. Alien Nation (1989-1990)

Source: Courtesy of Fox Network

• IMDb user rating: 6.9/10
• IMDb user votes: 5,527

41. Planet of the Apes (1974)

Source: Courtesy of CBS

• IMDb user rating: 7.0/10
• IMDb user votes: 5,546

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

Source: Courtesy of Nickelodeon Network

• IMDb user rating: 7.0/10
• IMDb user votes: 7,799

39. Timon & Pumbaa (1995-1999)

Source: Courtesy of Syndicated

• IMDb user rating: 7.0/10
• IMDb user votes: 11,194

38. The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985)

Source: Courtesy of CBS

• IMDb user rating: 7.1/10
• IMDb user votes: 15,813

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

Source: Courtesy of ABC Family

• IMDb user rating: 7.2/10
• IMDb user votes: 6,451

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

Source: Courtesy of ABC

• IMDb user rating: 7.2/10
• IMDb user votes: 8,711

35. Alice (2009)

Source: Courtesy of Syfy

• IMDb user rating: 7.2/10
• IMDb user votes: 9,837

34. Highlander (1992-1998)

Source: Courtesy of Hemdale Home Video

• IMDb user rating: 7.2/10
• IMDb user votes: 17,896

33. Beetlejuice (1989-1991)

Source: Courtesy of ABC

• IMDb user rating: 7.3/10
• IMDb user votes: 8,009

32. The Dead Zone (2002-2007)

Source: Courtesy of USA Network

• IMDb user rating: 7.3/10
• IMDb user votes: 10,017

31. Aladdin (1994-1995)

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Television

• IMDb user rating: 7.3/10
• IMDb user votes: 13,008

30. The Librarians (2014-2018)

Source: Courtesy of TNT

• IMDb user rating: 7.3/10
• IMDb user votes: 25,260

29. About a Boy (2014-2015)

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

• IMDb user rating: 7.4/10
• IMDb user votes: 8,818

28. Clerks (2000-2001)

Source: Courtesy of Adult Swim

• IMDb user rating: 7.4/10
• IMDb user votes: 13,111

27. La Femme Nikita (1997-2001)

Source: Courtesy of USA Network

• IMDb user rating: 7.5/10
• IMDb user votes: 10,850

26. The Penguins of Madagascar (2008-2015)

Source: Courtesy of Nickelodeon Network

• IMDb user rating: 7.5/10
• IMDb user votes: 22,303

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

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

• IMDb user rating: 7.5/10
• IMDb user votes: 226,430

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

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

• IMDb user rating: 7.6/10
• IMDb user votes: 6,269

23. The Real Ghostbusters (1986-1991)

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

• IMDb user rating: 7.6/10
• IMDb user votes: 11,075

22. Stargate Universe (2009-2011)

Source: Courtesy of MGM Television

• IMDb user rating: 7.6/10
• IMDb user votes: 53,406

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

Source: Courtesy of Fox Network

• IMDb user rating: 7.6/10
• IMDb user votes: 62,983

20. Limitless (2015-2016)

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

• IMDb user rating: 7.6/10
• IMDb user votes: 72,104

19. 12 Monkeys (2015-2018)

Source: Courtesy of Syfy

• IMDb user rating: 7.7/10
• IMDb user votes: 48,943

18. Teen Wolf (2011-2017)

Source: Courtesy of Music Television

• IMDb user rating: 7.7/10
• IMDb user votes: 164,011

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

Source: Courtesy of Cartoon Network

• IMDb user rating: 7.8/10
• IMDb user votes: 29,083

16. Agent Carter (2015-2016)

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

• IMDb user rating: 7.8/10
• IMDb user votes: 89,412

15. The Odd Couple (1970-1975)

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

• IMDb user rating: 7.9/10
• IMDb user votes: 7,216

14. DreamWorks Dragons (2012-2014)

Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

• IMDb user rating: 7.9/10
• IMDb user votes: 13,520

13. Stargate: Atlantis (2004-2009)

Source: Courtesy of The Sci-Fi Channel

• IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
• IMDb user votes: 71,955

12. Bates Motel (2013-2017)

Source: Courtesy of A+E Networks

• IMDb user rating: 8.1/10
• IMDb user votes: 117,509

11. Tron: Uprising (2012-2013)

Source: Courtesy of Disney XD

• IMDb user rating: 8.2/10
• IMDb user votes: 8,874

10. Parenthood (2010-2015)

Source: Courtesy of NBC Universal Television Distribution

• IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
• IMDb user votes: 37,677

9. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Source: Courtesy of 20th Television

• IMDb user rating: 8.3/10
• IMDb user votes: 160,428

8. Ash vs Evil Dead (2015-2018)

Source: Courtesy of Starz

• IMDb user rating: 8.4/10
• IMDb user votes: 80,218

7. Stargate SG-1 (1997-2007)

Source: Courtesy of MGM Domestic Television Distribution

• IMDb user rating: 8.4/10
• IMDb user votes: 101,827

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

Source: Courtesy of Cartoon Network

• IMDb user rating: 8.4/10
• IMDb user votes: 121,660

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

Source: Courtesy of Bandai Entertainment

• IMDb user rating: 8.5/10
• IMDb user votes: 21,016

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

Source: Courtesy of CBS

• IMDb user rating: 8.5/10
• IMDb user votes: 64,124

3. Hannibal (2013-2015)

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

• IMDb user rating: 8.5/10
• IMDb user votes: 277,935

2. Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

• IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
• IMDb user votes: 72,769

1. Fargo (2014-2024)

Source: Courtesy of FX Network

• IMDb user rating: 8.9/10
• IMDb user votes: 424,125

The post The 50 Best TV Shows Based on Movies appeared first on 24/7 Tempo .